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The Death and Life of Aida Hernandez
The Death and Life of Aida Hernandez: A Border Story | Aaron Bobrow-Strain
7 posts | 5 read | 16 to read
What happens when an undocumented teen mother takes on the U.S. immigration system? When Aida Hernandez was born in 1987 in Agua Prieta, Mexico, the nearby U.S. border was little more than a worn-down fence. Eight years later, Aidas mother took her and her siblings to live in Douglas, Arizona. By then, the border had become one of the most heavily policed sites in America. Undocumented, Aida fought to make her way. She learned English, watched Friends, and, after having a baby at sixteen, dreamed of teaching dance and moving with her son to New York City. But life had other plans. Following a misstep that led to her deportation, Aida found herself in a Mexican city marked by violence, in a country that was not hers. To get back to the United States and reunite with her son, she embarked on a harrowing journey. The daughter of a rebel hero from the mountains of Chihuahua, Aida has a genius for survivalbut returning to the United States was just the beginning of her quest. Taking us into detention centers, immigration courts, and the inner lives of Aida and other daring characters, The Death and Life of Aida Hernandez reveals the human consequences of militarizing what was once a more forgiving border. With emotional force and narrative suspense, Aaron Bobrow-Strain brings us into the heart of a violently unequal America. He also shows us that the heroes of our current immigration wars are less likely to be perfect paragons of virtue than complex, flawed human beings who deserve justice and empathy all the same.
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review
Cinfhen
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Pickpick

“Humans make mistakes. Immigrants cannot.” This is a phenomenal book. Part oral history, part investigative reporting, author Aaron Bobrow-Strain tells the story of Aida Hernandez, a young undocumented mother straddling between two boarder towns; Douglas, Arizona and Agua Prieta , México. An unflinching narrative that will leave you both humbled and hopeful. ?????

82 likes1 stack add
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Cinfhen
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This book!!! I‘ve given myself a migraine due to the obscene amount of ugly crying 😭 😭😭😭😭1 1/2 hours left on the audio but I need a break. More than just Aida‘s story, this book is an in depth look at the history surrounding immigration laws and border policies. It‘s brutal and senseless with no clearcut answers. Very informative but very personal too.

TrishB I‘m thinking you need some fluffy fiction soon!! 5y
KarenUK @trishB I was just thinking the same thing! 5y
Kalalalatja Stacked! 5y
See All 8 Comments
LeahBergen Ooph! You WILL need something light and frothy next. 5y
arubabookwoman Is this fiction or nonfiction? 5y
Megabooks Hugs, friend. 💞💞 5y
Cinfhen Nonfiction @arubabookwoman and excellent!!!! 5y
Cinfhen Thanks friends @KarenUK @TrishB @Kalalalatja @LeahBergen @Megabooks I‘m reading a mindless #ARC so im getting some fluff fiction going too!!! This book was really well done. It‘s TOTALLY in your wheelhouse @Megabooks !!!!!! 5y
88 likes2 stack adds8 comments
blurb
Cinfhen
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Today‘s listen 🎧 Aaron Bobrow-Strain is a professor of politics at Whitman College, where he teaches courses on food, immigration, and the U.S.-Mexico border. In the 1990s, he worked on the U.S.-Mexico border as an activist and educator. He is a founding member of the Walla Walla Immigrant Rights Coalition in Washington State.
#NF #BorderStory

KatieDid927 This book is so good. Heartbreaking, but so good. 5y
Cinfhen @KatieDid927 the parts that focus on Aida‘s story are so compelling/ I‘m so saddened by how the system works against these children 😭it‘s so flawed 5y
108 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
KatieDid927
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This is a brilliant, harrowing and eye-opening story about the evolution of our immigration system into a humanitarian nightmare seen through the life of one undocumented Mexican girl. The rampant human rights violations at our border did not start with the current administration, but they did amp up the cruelty to a degree that we‘re now all paying attention. We need to keep paying attention and work to demilitarize our border.

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KatieDid927
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Didn‘t get as much reading done as I hoped because I prioritized rest after a 6 day work week. The surprise early Veronica Mars Hulu drop MAY have also eaten into my reading time a tad... At least I finished up an ARC, read a great book that‘s been on the TBR for awhile and dented the tagged book! @24in48 #24in48

Megabooks 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻🥳 5y
erzascarletbookgasm 👏 good job! 5y
Librarybelle Great job! 5y
Molly_the_mezzo Great job! 5y
PurpleyPumpkin Well done!🎉 5y
36 likes5 comments
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RebL
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This is a tough one, especially living so close to such desperation and cruelty. I distracted myself by flushing drainpipes with boiling water. I strongly believe that we should not turn our gaze away from suffering, but it does take a toll. #audiobook #24in48 #borderstories

14 likes1 stack add
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Well-ReadNeck
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A powerful story of a Mexican immigrant who grew up in the US but the changing immigration policies added to the trials and tribulations of her life. A well-told story which gave a solid background on US immigration policy and legislative history and the political issues that created changes. The author does a fine job of demonstrating intended and unintended consequences. #netgalley

101 likes4 stack adds