Overview

The Truth is Right Here in Our Stories Immigration has long been a controversial issue in American politics and remains one of the country's most pressing issues, dividing the nation along political, economic, moral, and ethical lines. Critics have long distorted the view of immigrants, depicting them as criminals who corrupt our neighborhoods, depress our wages, overpopulate our prison systems, and drain our economy. This misshapen narrative persists in our present time. The Truth in Our Stories presents twelve compelling stories that highlight the immigrant experience and hopefully begin to change that perception. The testimonies are unapologetically honest and reveal the horrid conditions and crippling fear that continue to characterize the lives of immigrants. We learn, for example, that immigrants cannot obtain a driver's license in most states and that they have unequal access to health care; they receive no benefits and work multiple jobs for unscrupulous employers who frequently exploit them. Yet, there is hope because these stories challenge the public narrative about immigrants and dismantle the myths that lead to their persecution. While the stories shared in this book are full of hardship, the immigrants who share them shine with resilience and fortitude. They reveal, for instance, that immigrants are entrepreneurial, create jobs, pay taxes, and build infrastructure, thereby improving the economy. As the fight for immigrant rights continues to unfold, we hope this book will help restore a sense of shared humanity with the immigrant community. Listen to these voices; the truth is right here in our stories.

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9781642280791

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Mónica Tornoé was born and raised in Guatemala, where she graduated from law school at Francisco Marroquin University. She is currently the director of Latino Programs at Austin Presbyterian Seminary, where she oversees the Undocumented Stories Project. Ms. Tornoé is also an author and immigration activist. Rev. Elizabeth Wright is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. She studied history and public policy at the College of William and Mary before earning a master of divinity from Duke University. She served local congregations for eight years, primarily along the Texas-Mexico border, before taking on the role as first executive director of the Austin Region Justice for Our Neighbors in March 2019. Dr. Jesus Jesse Esparza is an assistant professor of history in the College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences at Texas Southern University, where he has taught since 2009. He specializes in the history of Latinos in the US, with an emphasis on civil rights activism. His research includes experience with oral history projects.

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