The Power of the Green Card

The book chronicles the green card journeys of ten individuals. It recounts their experiences as most of them went from being law-abiding citizens in their home lands to living in America as fugitives, who are commonly referred to as illegal aliens. In the book, they are given fictionalized names that capture characteristics of their personalities or their struggles or where they came from. The purpose of the book is to give American-born citizens a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of the immigrants’ world, which is completely foreign to most Americans. Despite what some may believe, only a small fraction of the estimated 11.3 million illegal aliens in the United States have committed any crime, other than being an illegal alien. The vast majority are law-abiding people who are just seeking a better life for themselves and their families. Though some may deny it, the American economy benefits from these immigrants’ willingness to do work that most Americans do not want to do, and the fact that they are paid very low wages and work without benefits helps American small businesses to compete and thrive in this new economy. Their faith, intelligence, ingenuity, and courage often result in extraordinary achievement, making America a land where the impossible can become possible. Their experiences often become inspiration for their offspring to actualize their own goals and dreams, helping to maintain America’s standing as the greatest country in the world.