Finding Citizenship Through Literature: An Undocumented Experience

Updated June 12, 2025
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For 21 years, ‍the author lived⁢ undocumented in the⁣ United States. Though now a citizen, the experience profoundly
⁤ shaped her life and artistic expression.

The constant threat of ‍deportation, amplified during the Trump ‍administration, instilled deep fear. As a child, she
was⁢ warned against revealing her status, a secret that felt like a matter of life and death.

Deportation loomed as an‍ existential threat, a permanent separation from loved ‍ones. As a⁣ young immigrant from
‍ Brazil,she found solace in literature. “The Fantastic ⁣Wizard of Oz,” with its⁢ theme of displacement and the
⁢ desire to ⁢return home, resonated deeply.

While lacking formal citizenship, she discovered a sense of belonging in literature. Teachers and librarians
introduced ⁢her to classic works, fostering a love for language and creative⁤ writing. Literature became a stable
⁣ ⁤ home.

Early in her writing journey, she emulated poets like Jack Gilbert and elizabeth Bishop, attempting to mirror⁢ what
⁢ she perceived as⁢ quintessentially American⁤ experiences. she avoided writing about her undocumented status,⁣ instead
⁤ focusing on themes of bigotry and cultural identity.

However, this dishonesty hindered her artistic growth.Her poems felt disjointed and lacked authenticity. She
realized that true art demanded honesty and vulnerability.

She had a wealth ⁢of untold stories: her father’s work on hydroelectric dams in Brazil, her parents’ experiences
during civil⁢ war and the Chinese Cultural Revolution, her mother’s involvement with a doomsday cult.But she
couldn’t⁢ access these narratives until⁢ she felt secure enough to share her truth.

Even after obtaining a green ⁣card at 27,the ⁢fear lingered. It took seven years before she dared to travel
⁢ abroad.

Advice from Irish poet Eamon Grennan proved pivotal. He urged her to “lay bare the ⁢narrative field,” to tell her
⁣ ⁤ own story.

Slowly, she began to write about her mother’s life, her father’s journey from Hong Kong to Brazil, and her own
‍ experiences in Queens. Eventually, she confronted her undocumented past. Her first book, ⁢”Cold Thief Place,”
‍ became a memoir in poems.

She embraced the directness of the English sentence, finding power in unadorned language and simple syntax. This
⁢ ⁢ approach‍ allowed ⁤her to confront painful truths without evasion.

Unlike African ⁤American poets with their rich literary tradition, ⁤undocumented poets lack a similar ancient
⁤ foundation. The undocumented community often remains hidden, their status a taboo subject. Like the LGBTQIA+
community, individuals ⁣may choose whether or not to reveal their status.

In 2015, the Undocupoets organization was founded to support undocumented poets. The organization, now co-run by
⁣ ⁢ the author,⁢ Janine Joseph, and Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, awards fellowships and raises awareness. The
⁢ organization seeks⁢ to archive undocumented art and foster a sense of community.

What’s next

The Undocupoets continue to advocate for undocumented writers, ensuring their stories are recognized as a vital
⁣ part of American history. They strive to create a supportive‍ community where undocumented⁢ artists can thrive and
⁣ share their unique perspectives.