Marclelo's Character Timeline by VALERIA CHAVEZ

A Young Castillo Meets ICE

vchavez0050 — 2024-11-06 17:55:29 UTC

In the beginning of the book, Castillo recollects his time when ICE visit's his home to find his dad. "I was only a senior in high school; maybe it was high time I should have seen a gun by then; I was overdue" (2). "I never said ICE, but she knew what I was talking about" (4). This moment connects to the theme Intergenerational Fear and Trauma, showing that undocumented immigrants are terrified of ICE of deporting them. It also show that they teach their kids to avoid ICE and do their best to keep their heads down.

Castillo Interview for his Green Card

vchavez0050 — 2024-11-13 20:50:44 UTC

Castillo was anxious during his Green card interview, worrying that he wont pass. " What shirt says: I want to be an American?" (78). " In preparation for the interview, I had to purge all of my social media accounts." (98). This moment is significant because it shows how undocumented immigrants are worry about getting their green card. Undocumented immigrants are concern whether they pass the interview hoping they can stay in the U.S. It shows that Castillo was concern about his stay in the U.S trying his best to be an American.

The Idea of Being An "American"

vchavez0050 — 2024-11-13 20:51:01 UTC

Castillo is question the idea of being an "American" after the interview. "Do other people who also undergo interview think of this country belonging to them?" (101). For a moment, I understand my father a little better and his desire to distance himself from anything "American."(101). This moment connects to the theme of the search for identity and belonging, showing that Castillo and his dad was question the idea of if you became a citizen, will you be treated as an "American?" Their are many undocumented immigrants who got their citizenship feel happy knowing they are American. Once they interact with natural born American they are look down upon.

The Struggles for Castillo Father Green Card

vchavez0050 — 2024-11-13 20:51:17 UTC

The Belief Of Getting Green Card

vchavez0050 — 2024-11-13 21:13:27 UTC

People believe that People can easily get green card, but in reality it's a difficult situations. "My father's rejection in Juarez mad us ask "What now?" All we had known to do with him up until then was wait, but we had reached the end of the road, and ahead of us was a fork." (204). " I often heard people ask me why Ama "didn't just get papers if she had over thirty years combined in the U.S.," as if time alone was the remedy." (217). This moment connects to the theme of the immigrant experience & displacement, showing that it's difficult to get a green card. Many immigrant families struggles to get green cards and sometimes they are separates or don't get them at all.