In the Country We Love: My Family Divided

“For the thousands of nameless children who feel as forgotten as I did—this memoir is my gift to you. It’s as much for your healing as it is for my own.” 

This quote provides the justification for the book. Guerrero experienced fear, anger, and shame as the child of undocumented parents. Knowing that others had survived the trauma of deportation would have helped her cope. Her goal with this book is to shed light on a topic normally swept under the rug, thereby healing herself and helping others in the process.

“From the time [Mami and Papi] arrived from Colombia, they accepted the sort of low-wage, under-the-table jobs that make some people turn up their noses. Scrubbing toilets. Painting houses. Mowing lawns. Mopping floors. My dad, Hector, left for his shift as a restaurant dishwasher well before sunrise; at noon, he traded his kitchen apron for a factory uniform. Monday through Friday and sometimes on weekends, my father clocked in. It's how he made ends meet. My mother, Maria, was home more with Eric and me, but she also did everything from babysitting to cleaning hotels and office buildings.” 

This passage serves two functions: First, it presents Guerrero’s parents in a positive light as hardworking contributors to American society. Second, it provides a glimpse into the lives of many immigrants to the US, regardless of their legal status. Guerrero's parents did manual work in industries that rely heavily on under-the-table labor, including construction, restaurants, and hotels. By drawing attention to her parents’ jobs, Guerrero calls out these industries and their exploitation of the undocumented. This passage thus serves as a reminder of the complicity of Americans in illegal immigration to the US. Citizens reap the benefits of immigrant labor, while the undocumented toil in grueling industries that cannot function without them.

“[I]n immigrant communities all over the globe, celebrating is part of the culture. It’s a survival mechanism. When your relatives are thousands of miles away, you make up for it by connecting with others who speak your language. Eat your food. Love your music. Understand your traditions. Our neighbors weren’t only our neighbors; they were our extended family.” 

Ethnicity, identity, and family play key roles in Guerrero’s memoir. Although the author is US-born, she identifies strongly with her Colombian roots. Like other first-generation Americans, she maintains a connection to her parents’ homeland by celebrating with neighbors who share her culture, and who treat her like family.