Book Review of Separated by the Border: A Birth Mother, a Foster Mother, and a Migrant Child’s 3,000 Mile Journey by Gena Thomas
This book is a departure from what I normally read and review, but I thought it would be research for cross-border human trafficking. It turned out not to be overly helpful for my research, but an interesting read, anyway, with some examples of human smuggling.
No matter your opinion on “illegal” immigration (a term the author loathes), this book is worth the read to get a perspective of immigration from an inside point of view.
The story alternates between two families. Lupe and Julia from Honduras. And the author’s family. There are several chapters graphically describing the horrors that Lupe (the mother) and Julia (the child) go through traveling from Honduras to the US border at the hands of human smugglers. Lupe and Julia are separated. Julia makes it across the border, but Lupe does not and returns to Honduras. Thus, they are separated by the border.
The other chapters are stories about the author and her family. Some focus on the author’s experience fostering, especially a couple immigrant children separated from their parents, including Julia.
Scattered amongst the personal stories is commentary on immigration, the de-humanizing language used to describe immigrants, the border control authorities and their inhumane treatment of immigrants, and the psychology of children separated from their parents.
The book is an interesting perspective of immigration from a Christian author. She raises valid points about how those that follow Jesus have an obligation to help “the least of these”. Whatever your stance is as far as immigrants coming across the border, once they do, as Christians, we have an obligation to help them, just like we have an obligation to help US citizens that are struggling. Thomas calls out the church. And I agree with her that our church can do more. We have welfare, food stamps, and other government aids for the poor because the church has not done enough in the communities. One quote that stuck with me was, “When churches become good neighbors and intentional residents of their own counties, the gospel begins to permeate the region, allowing the church to be the living organism of transformation it was always meant to be.”
Where I struggle with Thomas’ commentary is her insinuation that this is only the “white” church that has fallen short. I disagree. The entire church is not doing enough to care for their neighbors. I also do not buy into her “white savior complex” explanation as to why those that have want to help those that don’t. We Christians should be compelled to help, regardless of our race.
Also, Thomas’ book looks at only one side of immigration. It’s a complex situation. Not all immigrants coming into our country are doing so with good intentions. Immigration is an avenue for the cartels to move drugs and trafficked humans into our country. Finally, she fails to discuss why these immigrants want to come to the United States. She never mentions what is driving citizens of Honduras to the US.
Again, the book is worth the read to understand at least one side of the immigration issue.
Commission earned
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