Illegal by Jose Angel N.

University of Illinois recently published Illegalby Jose Angel N. and I am glad to see that it is available to K-12 schools through Follett’s Titlewave and other vendors.  However, I think this book is so important that the publisher and author should work to create an abridged version for high school students (much like Three Cups of Tea prior to the controversy it faced). 

When I teach about Civic Engagement, students are asked to write to their representatives about an issue of concern and many choose to write in support of the Dream Act and “dreamers,” undocumented youth living in the United States. High school students have a high interest in this topic and this book is even more relevant since the author lives and works locally, in Chicago.  Jose Angel N. tells a compelling story as someone who came here illegally, completed a bachelor’s and master’s degree, is working as a translator, but cannot accept a promotion because it involves travel on an airplane.  In fact, he has chosen to not even sign his full name to this book. His academic studies centered on philosophy and his work focuses on linguistics so he shares much of his own musings, and while that promotes empathy from the reader, it will be difficult content for high school students.  They will likely prefer the fictional, more adventure-some aspects of Jaramillo’s La Linnea, for example.  

As a country, we could be doing more to encourage immigration and to provide green cards to students in our universities, whether they are here on a student visa or entered the country illegally as minors. Creating an abridged version of this book would help raise awareness further.