Dreamers

An Immigrant Generation's Fight for Their American Dream

By: Eileen Truax

Narrated by: Kyla Garcia

This intimate, first-of-its-kind account of young undocumented immigrants fighting to live legally within the United States is a “must-read for anyone interested in the immigration debate” (Booklist)

Of the approximately twelve million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, as many as two million came as children. They grow up here, going to elementary, middle, and high school, and then the country they call home won’t—in most states—offer financial aid for college and they’re unable to be legally employed. In 2001, US senator Dick Durbin introduced the DREAM Act to Congress, an initiative that would allow these young people to become legal residents if they met certain requirements.

And now, more than ten years later, in the face of congressional inertia and furious opposition from some, the DREAM Act has yet to be passed. But recently, this young generation has begun organizing, and with their rallying cry “Undocumented, Unapologetic, and Unafraid” they are the newest face of the human rights movement. In Dreamers, Eileen Truax illuminates the stories of these men and women who are living proof of a complex and sometimes hidden political reality that calls into question what it truly means to be American.

Critic reviews

“Compelling, honest, and personal, this is a must-read for anyone interested in the immigration debate.”
—Booklist

“A forthright, moving piece of advocacy journalism.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Truax succeeds in conveying how a shadow status permeates the lives of all the young people profiled here, with education, employment opportunities, and essential social services severely limited or unavailable.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Truax’s informative, engaging read provides a new perspective on this country’s ongoing immigration debate.”
—Library Journal

“Eileen Truax offers a gripping, close-up account of the lives of Dreamers—those young undocumented people who President Obama argued are American ‘in every single way but one: on paper.’ Through in-depth interviews and participation in their organizations and events, Truax captures the Dreamers’ passions and hopes, as well as the heartbreaking challenges that our country’s policies impose on them. She also paints a convincing portrait of the painstaking work and heady successes of one of the country’s most important movements for social change in the twenty-first century.”
—Aviva Chomsky, author of Undocumented: How Immigration Became Illegal

Awesome Awesome Book

This is a great great book. I’ve listened to some books before where the authors view was completely slanted one way, mostly left, but this author does an excellent job of staying neutral and conveying the experience of the people stuck in these situations. At times the author conveys facts from both sides. It was actually refreshing to hear a counter argument for once. As someone who leans more towards the right, this book was mostly balanced and remained mostly neutral. I wish it was longer. Time flew by listening to this book. Very much recommend it.