Week 9 Wrap-up: Immigration and the American Dream

This Week in Books: Immigration and the American Dream

This week, I found myself deep in the world of immigration literature with two essential reads: Strangers by Jorge Ramos and A Nation of Immigrants by John F. Kennedy. Given the current political climate, especially with Trump’s second term in full swing, the topic feels more pressing than ever. Many of my friends—some of whom had secure immigration parole status—have seen their protections suddenly revoked. The consequences of seemingly arbitrary executive actions are real and terrifying, leaving them in limbo, legally and emotionally. Yet, instead of real policy reform, we get fear-mongering and hateful rhetoric, which inspires more hateful rhetoric and attitudes.

It’s disheartening.

It’s frustrating.

It’s surely not the “shining city on a hill” envisioned by John Winthrop or JFK or Ronald Reagan, but I digress…

So, with all that weighing on my mind, I turned to two books that offer insight, history, and a broader perspective on America’s long and complicated relationship with immigration.

A Nation of Immigrants by John F. Kennedy — ★★★★★

This book gets a full five stars, partly because of its historical weight and partly because JFK’s insights still resonate today. Written in the early 1960s, it provides a compelling case for America’s identity as a nation built by immigrants. Kennedy’s perspective is refreshingly idealistic, a stark contrast to the divisive rhetoric we often hear today. His words remind us that immigration has always been central to the American experiment, even when policy has failed to reflect that reality. While it doesn’t offer a modern solution to today’s immigration crisis, it serves as an important reminder of the values that should guide us.

Stranger by Jorge Ramos — ★★★★★

Jorge Ramos pulls no punches in this deeply personal and journalistic exploration of immigration under Trump. It’s no secret that Ramos and Trump are not exactly on friendly terms, and that tension fuels some of the book’s most powerful moments. But this isn’t just a critique of Trump—it’s a broad and fair examination of U.S. immigration policy across administrations. In fact, one of the most striking chapters is Ramos’ takedown of Obama’s failure to enact meaningful immigration reform when he had the chance.

What makes this book essential is Ramos’ dual perspective: he loves the U.S. and his country of origin, and he critiques both with an unwavering commitment to the truth. His stories of immigrants navigating an increasingly hostile environment are heartbreaking, infuriating, and deeply humanizing. If you want an honest, well-researched, and emotionally charged look at immigration in the modern era, this is the book to read.

Final Thoughts

Both of these books reaffirm what should be obvious: immigration is not a partisan issue—it’s a human one. JFK’s book gives historical depth, while Ramos provides a modern, lived experience perspective. If you’re looking to understand not just immigration policy but the lived reality of immigrants in America, these two books are essential.