A Place at the Table

US immigration frequently generates various discussions. Two relevant issues to A Place at the Table are why people choose to immigrate to the US and the challenges they face during the process and once they settle into the US. Part of what Saadia Faruqi accomplishes in the novel is exploring the triumphs and struggles of those coming to the US seeking new opportunities. She aims to make the content accessible to a younger audience by using young main characters and contextualizing immigration issues through a lens that a younger, middle-grade reader can easily follow. 

Although the US promotes itself as a land of opportunity, immigrants seeking better lives for themselves and their families often struggle to integrate into everyday life in the US. They face language barriers, cultural dysphoria, and discrimination. Though individuals traveling to the US find employment opportunities, they can face increased discrimination from their coworkers and employers, such as uncouth comments and using company policy to justify paying certain groups less than those born in the US. A 2023 report cites how immigrated individuals who find jobs struggle to afford necessities such as housing and food (“Understanding the U.S. Immigrant Experience: The 2023 KFF/LA Times Survey of Immigrants - Findings - 10217.