Shadowed Lives: Undocumented Immigrants in American Society

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Recommended: US immigration from 1919-29

Anthropologist Leo Chavez presents a very descriptive and detailed account when he wrote Shadowed Lives, UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS IN AMERICAN SOCIETY it takes readers into the lives and experiences of illegal immigrants. Chavez is detailed within the book points are placed regarding people's choice to migrate as well as their stories of crossing the border into the United States We can learn a lot from Chavez's book, making distinct opinions on immigration itself, and the difference in immigration culture after migrating.
The best part to learn from in my opinion is the Epilogue where the Chavez speaks to the lives of undocumented immigrants inside the political and social environment that has recently "shadowed" to be stricter on illegal aliens. Chavez brought a clear unbiased look at the simple and often risky life of undocumented migrants, mainly in Southern California area. I also learned more about the term "migrant worker" I knew some things but as I was reading I got more out of the term like it has multiple meanings and interpretations in different places of the world. The general meaning is any person working outside of their home country (which is what I thought it to be.) Some countries have millions of illegal immigrants , most of them being workers. The word can also be used to label someone who drifts within their country just to follow work as well as seasonal work "Farmworkers in northern San Diego are generally employed as seasonal workers" (Chavez pg. 86) which is the common definition in the United States.
Also I learned Illegal immigration states that migration of people across national borders that upsets or goes against the immigration policy of the country. One aspect is the push-pull impulse the value of o...

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...and told to go back to their home, but they know they cannot leave they know that they have to continue to send money home for their kids and their spouses. Chavez speaks about how it is tough for migrants to leave their families for years at a time but, also explains how when the country's economy gets better a lot of immigrants will return home to their beloved ones.
In conclusion we can learn a lot from Chavez's book. Chavez made it clear for us within the book that people make the choice to migrate and their stories of why they mad those choices. As well as the struggles of being in a different country and missing the home life they are used to. The anthropologist Leo Chavez wrote Shadowed Lives, UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS IN AMERICAN SOCIETY to take readers into the lives and experiences of illegal immigrants, so that we can see and hear from their point of view.

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