Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here: The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis

Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here examines the humanitarian crisis at the southern border through the experiences of migrants and the policymakers who shape immigration policy. Jonathan Blitzer, a New Yorker staff writer, documents how hundreds of thousands of people arrive annually at the US-Mexico border, many from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, fleeing persecution, crime, or hunger. Some have been previously deported but view the United States as their only option for safety and prosperity. Blitzer traces the crisis to decades of misguided policy and widespread corruption. He weaves together accounts of Central Americans whose lives have been affected by political conflict and violence with narratives of American activists, government officials, and politicians responsible for the country's immigration policy. The book explores how this ongoing conflict has shaped American politics and culture, arguing it will significantly influence the nation's future.