Summary

Chapter 6 opens with Villavicencio reminiscing about her parents’ youth and realizing that they are now older and with health issues. Their youth left early—partly because undocumented immigrants must take the jobs that Americans generally will not do—grueling or dangerous ones that age young migrants. And as immigrants age, they do so without health insurance. While many have paid into Social Security, they are not eligible for the benefits and have no security. They cannot purchase health insurance, have no 401(k) or retirement plans, and have little savings.

Villavicencio’s father is under stress because he was duped into a new job that promised better hours and pay, but it turned out to be the opposite. He is also worried about a possible prostate cancer diagnosis. Such challenges fuel Villavicencio’s desire to become extraordinarily successful to make up for the indignant...