The Cost of Being Undocumented: An Immigrant's Story and Research Partnership

The Genesis of a Book

• 💡 The book "The Cost of Being Undocumented: One Woman's Reckoning with America's Inhumane Math" focuses on the personal story of one undocumented individual, Alix.
• 🎯 This approach was born from a research partnership between Alix and Antero Garcia, who initially hired Alix as a nanny.
• 🧠 The pandemic highlighted the invisible labor and privilege involved in employing Alix, prompting deeper conversations and a participatory research model.

Alix's Journey and Family Background

• ✈️ Alix's story began in Mexico, where her family faced tragedy and economic hardship, leading to life threats and the loss of her father.
• 💔 The decision to immigrate to the U.S. was driven by a need to save their lives.
• ⚠️ Alix emphasizes that her story didn't start when she became undocumented, but much earlier in Mexico.

A Unique Research Partnership: Platica

• 🤝 The collaboration between Alix and Antero moved beyond traditional academic research, with Alix insisting on being recognized as a co-contributor.
• 💬 They employed the "platica" approach, a Spanish term for conversations, fostering co-constructive dialogue rather than interviews.
• 🌍 This method allowed for the sharing of fears, anxieties, hopes, and dreams, bridging different worldviews and leading to a more robust understanding.

The Multifaceted Costs of Undocumented Life

• ⏳ The cost of time is significant, encompassing stolen youth and years missed away from family.
• 🧠 The cost of mental health is a major challenge, exacerbated by stigma within the immigrant community and the difficulty in accessing necessary care.
• ⚖️ The cost of dreaming involves not only personal unfulfilled aspirations but also the loss to American progress by not realizing the potential of all its residents.

Reaching Broader Audiences and Future Work

• 🗣️ The book aims to foster dialogue, inviting sympathetic readers to imagine the myriad untold stories and share the book.
• 📢 For less sympathetic readers, specific chapters are designed to be levers for changing the conversation about immigration.
• 🌐 Beyond the book, Alix and Antero co-edit La Quenta, a website featuring the voices of undocumented writers and communities across the country.