Children of Undocumented Immigrants: Family Interdependence

When undocumented immigrants arrive in the United States, they have to overcome numerous challenges such as exploitation in the workplace, understanding a new culture, and becoming victims of laws that unfairly oppress them. In the book, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, the main character, Julia, mentions her parents being unhappy with their life in Chicago. They miss their family, food, culture, and life. Additionally, Julia mentions how her dad works up to twelve hours packaging candy so he always has problems with his body. Julia’s dad tells her “Don't work like a donkey like me. Be a secretary and work in a nice office with air conditioning” (Sánchez 121). Although Julia would never want to work as a secretary, she does not contradict him because she feels guilty for having to see her parents being exploited. The hourly wage for undocumented workers is much lower than for workers born in the United States, and benefits such as healthcare are denied. Yet, immigrants find ways to make a living in a system designed to keep them in poverty.

When Amparo, Julia’s mom, decides to organize a quinceañera for Julia, who dislikes the idea; she thinks the popular tradition is an embarrassment and a waste of money. Julia told her mother she did not want to have a quinceañera, but Amparo manages to get the money for the celebration because it is important in many Latinx countries. As mentioned in the novel “According to the tradition, I am a woman now. I'm available to men. I can wear makeup and high heels. I can dance! But if this is what it means to be a woman, maybe I don't want to be one” (Sánchez 155). For Julia, a young feminist trying to determine her own path, it is very challenging to celebrate a sexist tradition, yet, very significant to her parents. 

Children of undocumented immigrants constantly feel a strong necessity to repay their parents by doing well in school, financially contributing to the house, or by having a quinceañera to please their parents. In the novel, Julia remarks on her desire to go away to college, to escape, but she also spends a lot of time mentioning all the sacrifices her parents have made. For example, Julia feels guilty to see her mom cleaning other people’s houses all day and then keep cleaning at their house. Unfortunately, the struggles of Julia's undocumted family for others is a tragedy that will entertain them. When Mr. Ingman tells Julia to emphasize the fact that her parents are still undocumented because “Admission committees love that stuff” (Sánchez 166). Julia has to use her “brownness” and fit the expectations of what it means to be a Mexican daughter to be considered for enrollment at a higher education institution. Julia, as a daughter of undocumented immigrants, cannot avoid thinking about her parents' sacrifices and how she should help them later in life.

Discussion Questions:

How is love portrayed in Julia's family?

What is the importance of interdependence in this novel?