My (underground) American dream

No cover — Julissa Arce: My (underground) American dream (2016)

296 pages

English language

Published Jan. 2, 2016

ISBN:: 978-1-4555-4024-2
OCLC Number:: 953576361

(2 reviews)

"For an undocumented immigrant, what is the true cost of the American dream? Julissa Arce shares her story in a riveting memoir. When she was 11 years old Julissa Arce left Mexico and came to the United States on a tourist visa to be reunited with her parents, who dreamed the journey would secure her a better life. When her visa expired at the age of 15, she became an undocumented immigrant. Thus began her underground existence, a decades long game of cat and mouse, tremendous family sacrifice, and fear of exposure. After the Texas Dream Act made a college degree possible, Julissa's top grades and leadership positions landed her an internship at Goldman Sachs, which led to a full time position--one of the most coveted jobs on Wall Street. Soon she was a vice president, a rare Hispanic woman in a sea of suits and ties, yet still guarding …

"For an undocumented immigrant, what is the true cost of the American dream? Julissa Arce shares her story in a riveting memoir. When she was 11 years old Julissa Arce left Mexico and came to the United States on a tourist visa to be reunited with her parents, who dreamed the journey would secure her a better life. When her visa expired at the age of 15, she became an undocumented immigrant. Thus began her underground existence, a decades long game of cat and mouse, tremendous family sacrifice, and fear of exposure. After the Texas Dream Act made a college degree possible, Julissa's top grades and leadership positions landed her an internship at Goldman Sachs, which led to a full time position--one of the most coveted jobs on Wall Street. Soon she was a vice president, a rare Hispanic woman in a sea of suits and ties, yet still guarding her 'underground' secret. In telling her personal story of separation, grief, and ultimate redemption, Arce shifts the immigrant conversation, and changes the perception of what it means to be an undocumented immigrant"--

1 edition

extraspecialbitter reviewed My (underground) American dream by Julissa Arce

Review of 'My (underground) American dream' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

A story of a true "Dreamer", brought to the U.S. legally by Mexican parents who ultimately overstayed their visa. While not old enough to have made this decision, the author knew its ramifications, essentially living a double life - rapidly accelerating up the ladder of a prestigious Wall Street firm while harboring this deep secret. This is not just a tale of triumph over adversity, but it provides the simplest answer to the nagging question "why couldn't you just go back and do it legally?"

Heather reviewed My (underground) American dream by Julissa Arce

Review of 'My (underground) American dream' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Julissa Arce's parents were working legally in the United States while she and her older sisters lived with her extended family in Mexico. Her younger brother was born in the United States. When Julissa started acting out in school at age 11, her parents brought her to live with them. She had no idea that it was illegal for her to go to school. She didn't know that she had outstayed her visa until her mother explained that she couldn't go back to Mexico for her quinceanera because she wouldn't be able to come back into the United States.She was a star student but was not accepted to any colleges because she didn't have a social security number. At this point Texas passed a law that allowed undocumented students to go to college at Texas state schools. This allowed her to be able to go to school.I was conflicted when …

Julissa Arce's parents were working legally in the United States while she and her older sisters lived with her extended family in Mexico. Her younger brother was born in the United States. When Julissa started acting out in school at age 11, her parents brought her to live with them. She had no idea that it was illegal for her to go to school. She didn't know that she had outstayed her visa until her mother explained that she couldn't go back to Mexico for her quinceanera because she wouldn't be able to come back into the United States.She was a star student but was not accepted to any colleges because she didn't have a social security number. At this point Texas passed a law that allowed undocumented students to go to college at Texas state schools. This allowed her to be able to go to school.I was conflicted when reading this book. I think people should follow the rules of the country they live in. I also think that it should be much, much easier for people to come to the United States from Latin America so people aren't required to sneak into the country. Julissa also buys fake documents as an adult to be able to get a job. I can see that she was brought into the country by her parents and she had no intent to do anything wrong at that point, but now she was actively breaking the law because she felt she was entitled to stay here and get a very high paying job. She talked a little bit about whether or not she should go back to Mexico because she would be able to get a very good job so it wasn't like she didn't have options. She also marries specifically get to a green card. The more unethical things she does, the less sympathy I retained for her.This book made me understand the issues around children of undocumented immigrants. They are stuck as they become adults. I think there should be a way for these children to be able to be legally documented.First come first served and if you want to throw in a few dollars for shipping that would be great but not required.This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story

Subjects

Goldman, Sachs & Co
Mexican American women
Immigrants
Illegal aliens
Mexican Americans
Secrecy
Emigration and immigration
Psychological aspects
Biography
Women executives

Places

United States
Wall Street (New York, N.Y.)
New York (State)
New York