These remarkable oral histories of undocumented men and women
struggling to carve a life for themselves in the U.S. “[fill] a gap
in our understanding of [immigration] by humanizing the people at the
center of an otherwise cold debate” (Huffington Post)
They arrive from
around the world for countless reasons. Many come simply to make a
living. Others are fleeing persecution in their native countries.
Millions of immigrants risk deportation and imprisonment by living in
the U.S. without legal status. They are living underground, with
little protection from exploitation at the hands of human smugglers,
employers, or law enforcement. Underground America presents
the remarkable stories of U.S. immigrants. Among the narrators:
Farid, an
Iranian-American business owner who employs a number of American
citizens while he himself remains undocumented. A critic of the
Iranian government, he fears for his safety if he is deported to his
native country.
Diana, who along
with thousands of other Latino workers helped rebuild the Gulf Coast
after Hurricane Katrina. After completing her work, she and many
others were detained and imprisoned for not having proper
documentation.
Liso, who was
enticed to come to the United States as a religious missionary, but
on arrival was forced into unpaid domestic labor.
Underground
America is part of the Voice of Witness book
series—co-founded by acclaimed author Dave Eggers—which uses oral
history to illuminate human rights crises around the world.