Ask Me No Questions

Ask Me No Questions by Marina Budhos, published in 2006, is a young adult novel that delves into the complex realities of immigrant life in post-9/11 New York City. The story centers on two teenage sisters from Bangladesh living illegally in the United States during a time of significant immigration policy changes that particularly affect Muslim communities. Author Marina Budhos draws from her personal experiences growing up in a diverse community in Queens, New York, infusing the novel with realism and an understanding of cultural complexities. The novel explores themes like The Impact of Immigration Policies on Families, The Struggle for Identity and Belonging in a New Country, and The Resilience and Adaptability of Young Immigrants. Budhos’s storytelling resists traditional categories, reflecting the concept of “crossing over“ by blending fiction with history, exploring adult themes through young adult perspectives, and intertwining various cultural narratives. The novel received the James Cook Teen Book Award.

This guide references the September 2007 First Paperback edition.

Content Warning: The source material depicts Islamophobia, ethnic stereotyping, and family separation in the context of the US immigration system; it also references sectarian violence and colonialism. 

Plot Summary

The Hossain family, originally from Dhaka, Bangladesh, lives in New York City on expired visas. They are Bangladeshi Muslims who emigrated to the United States when Nadira, the narrator, was seven years old. Now Nadira is in ninth grade, and she and her older sister, Aisha, must confront the consequences of their undocumented status. Since 9/11, life for the Hossains and other Muslim Americans has become increasingly challenging due to heightened security measures and widespread paranoia.

Fearing the growing tensions and uncertainties, the family drives from New York to the Canadian border in a bid for asylum. As they drive through Boston, Aisha grieves the loss of her dreams of life in America—in particular, her hope of attending Harvard Medical School.

Canada denies the family’s asylum request, forcing them to return to the US, where Abba, Nadira and Aisha’s father, is detained due to their expired visas. Abba instructs Aisha to drive with Nadira back to New York, while Ma stays in a shelter in Vermont. Now a divided family unit, Nadira finds solace in reminiscing about Bangladesh, a nation marked by a history of colonialism and political strife from which she draws parallels to their current situation.

Once back in their New York apartment, the sisters live with their aunt (“Auntie”), uncle (“Uncle”), and cousin (Taslima). Taslima’s father harbors doubts about life in America, but Taslima resists moving back to Bangladesh, leading to rising tensions. At school, Nadira grapples with living in Aisha’s shadow while Aisha shoulders the pressure of excelling academically as an undocumented student. Aisha’s achievements draw attention from the school’s college counselor, who is unaware of her immigration status. When she is nominated for valedictorian, Aisha faces the humiliation of her aspirations clashing with the reality of her family’s situation. Meanwhile, Nadira visits a family friend, Ali-Uncle, at his magazine shop. It’s here she encounters Tareq, a young man who suggests obtaining a fake green card. However, Ali-Uncle discourages Nadira from pursuing this path.

The family’s crisis deepens when Abba’s bond is denied and an investigation into his supposed political affiliations begins. Seeking help, the sisters meet Mr. Rashid, a lawyer. They explain how their father’s detention hinders Aisha’s college prospects. Mr. Rashid cautions them about the complexity of resolving their legal situation; their pursuit of asylum in Canada nullifies their US application, complicating matters. When Aisha’s efforts to communicate with the detention center prove fruitless, she calls Ma, who informs the girls of Abba’s financial ties with Ali-Uncle through their mosque: What the government has construed as political associations were simply Abba’s contributions to the community’s mutual aid fund in support of the girls’ education. Aisha and Nadira write to immigration officials and congressmen on behalf of their father.

The sudden appearance of immigration officers at the family’s apartment intensifies their crisis, leading to Nadira’s uncle’s brief detention. The family’s situation becomes dire, with Aisha’s academic achievements overshadowed by their legal struggles. Nadira plans to free Abba on her own and seeks Tareq for fake documentation. However, she ultimately backs down from this plan, overwhelmed by the moral issues involved. Instead, she heads to Vermont to meet Ma and Abba for his deportation proceeding. At Abba’s hearing, Nadira’s observation of a spelling error in his documents leads to his release and a reconsideration of his appeal for citizenship.

The family returns to New York but faces more challenges. Taslima decides to move out, Auntie and Uncle plan to return to Bangladesh, and Aisha increasingly withdraws. In this moment, Nadira steps up, encouraging Aisha to embrace bravery and honesty about their immigration status. At Aisha’s graduation, she is crowned valedictorian. As the family gathers for her speech, she publicly declares her family’s status as undocumented immigrants, recounting her family’s journey and the myriad challenges they have faced as both undocumented immigrants and Muslims.

In the subsequent courthouse proceedings, the judge acknowledges the exceptional circumstances of their case and grants them permission to submit a new residency application. The family leaves with a renewed sense of hope and optimism for a future in America.