After reading The Book of American Strangers, I realized how difficult it can be to immigrate to the United States. I'm an immigrant myself, so just reading the story makes me understand a lot of problems that immigrants experience when they move to a different country. Immigrants often face many problems and difficulties, but for some it is worth it, but for others there comes a time when they have to return to their hometown. Alma and Arturo Rivera came to the United States to improve their lives, but also so Maribel could attend a special education school. As long as Arturo had a job things were going well for the family, but once Arturo lost his job and died the two had to go back because they felt that this was the best solution for them. Reading this book made me realize how strong an individual must be to leave their country and move somewhere else without knowing if it will improve your life or make someone suffer. When they first arrived in the United States, their only hope was that they could have a better life and that there were better special education programs for Maribel to attend in Evers. Alma imagined that the buildings would look much nicer than they actually were. The family was surprised that they could take things from the street that someone had thrown out of the house, but they were functional. When they arrived they didn't think you would have to learn English to be able to communicate, but after visiting stores and interacting with people they learned that they had to learn English if they wanted to live in America. They hoped that in America you could afford anything by working, but thanks to the money Arturo earned they learned that you can't buy everything... middle of paper... alize that not everyone is the same and there are good people in this world. I don't think Alma's decision to return to Mexico was a great decision. She should have stayed and applied for another visa, gone for assistance and talked to a person who could talk and help her with her current situation. I think the different voices throughout the story influence the main story because they all have had some kind of negative experience. It asks a lot of questions because you wonder how all Mexicans feel when they come to the United States, what drives them to leave their families and come to the United States, do many of them return? I think reading The Book of Unknown Americans helps to open your eyes and realize that these individuals faced so many problems coming to the United States that they shouldn't have to face more here being discriminated against.