Everyone Who Is Gone: US, Central America Crisis

Such a well-researched book! The combination of telling personal stories, describing historical developments and explaining immigration policies makes the content of the book extremely rich.

Having read numerous books on the misadventures of the US government in other countries, this book fills in the knowledge gap of what has happened in Central America starting in the 70s and the real impact it has on the lives of its residents.

Having worked in the migrant field along the southwest border, this book brings into sharp focus what it means to be the target of death squads, cartels, and the largely disinterested US government in all it’s various forms.

To anyone with a negative view of the migrant situation, take heed. This book takes you on a emotional journey, for sure. The horrors it details are real. It is easy to try and write books like this off because it stirs emotion, but this book does not actually try and make any kind of argument. You are left to do that on your own with the facts as presented. Does the fact that during the 80s deported Salvadorans were taken to the side of the airport road and executed by the military elicit an emotional response? I should hope so.

Quick question, why do people feel like the US is under “invasion” by migrants? Migrants make up 13% of the US population currently, and most of that is in urban and periurban areas. That is roughly one out of every eight people. Fun fact, in 1890 migrants made up roughly 15% of the population. In both cases “migrant” means born outside the US. Another fun fact, at some point every single person in the US (save Native Americans) are 100% descended from migrants.

But back to the point at hand. This book is very well researched and written. If you want to know why someone from the Northern Triangle is willing to leave their native land for a continued life of unending fear, where you are subject to both cartel and corrupt police depredations and all manner of physical harm, only to arrive in a country where you have to look over your shoulder the rest of your life, read this. If your heart is cold and you have no connection to other humans on an emotional level then this book is not for you, go pick up a copy of Mein Kampf signed by Trump.

Excellent book; excellent reporting. Helps put together the stream of political history of migration in and from Central America northward to the United States. Going back to at least 1979/1980 through the eyes of one of Blitzer’s subjects, Juan, a doctor, we learn about the history of El Salvador (and the northern triangle in Central America), the leaders good and bad and the people forced to migrate to save their own lives and livelihoods. The author tells the compelling stories of individuals, families and their relationships in communities to help develop empathy around the topic of migration, one that is often obfuscated by the politics of one side or another.

From 1994 through 2019 I had the opportunity to work alongside immigrants, including refugees and asylum seekers from many counties. I know the stories of many people who have become friends, neighbors and even family members. I have walked along with people at the international border between Mexico and the United States and listened to their stories. This Everyone Who is Gone is Here provides much needed background and connective tissue to better understand the push factors that have led to what we hear about in the news in a truncated and too brief way.

The cause of the existing problems and the solutions are political and international. The author does not single out any political party in the US as responsible for the mess. But, for anyone who would seek to solve the problems, would have a better chance of doing so by better understanding the situation explained in this book.

Additionally, I commend the reader to explore the bibliography with books, articles and periodicals to explore the subjects covered in the book. There are also extensive endnotes to help the reader understand the sources and look into more background information when needed.

A brilliant and well researched story of the immigration issue on US southern borders dating back to the start of 20th century. I waited for the books Australian release and was not disappointed

Brings immigrations complexity together with human stories of impact. If you want to truly understand what is happening at the border… worth reading.