Hello friend, my name is Cristina Jiménez. I’m a mom, an organizer, co-founder and former executive director of United We Dream, and author of Dreaming of Home. Before I became all of those things, though, I was a young undocumented immigrant living in fear of deportation and family separation, trying to find my voice and a sense of belonging in the U.S.
It wasn’t until I met other young immigrants –so many of them like me– who had a fire in them to build a life here that is dignified, where we are safe, and where our humanity is not dictated by whether or not we have a piece of paper, that I realized belonging isn’t something you find. It’s something you build in community with others. It’s something you nurture.
During my time with United We Dream, I had the privilege of working with so many immigrant youth from across the country, fighting for racial justice and dignity for our communities and carving out spaces where we could be wholly and authentically ourselves.
Our movement changes lives, and that’s why I’m donating proceeds from my new book, Dreaming of Home, toward continuing to support our collective fight for justice.
In a time where ICE is targeting our communities for deportation, regardless of immigration status, in schools, churches, and their homes, I offer this book to remind us that we’re not alone and, despite what anyone says, we’re not powerless. It’s my story of being forced to leave Ecuador, growing up undocumented, navigating unjust laws and institutions, and then finding my purpose, love, community, and a movement for justice that opened the hearts of America and changed the lives of millions.
This is the book I needed when I was undocumented, afraid, and ashamed. I believe this is the book that America needs right now — as a roadmap to building community, power, and winning real change, even when the world around us seems to be crumbling. This book is for those who are ready and committed to sharing in the responsibility to fight for our collective future where all of us are free.
It’s available for pre-order now, friend. By securing your copy today, you’ll fuel the ongoing fight for immigrant justice at a time when our movement is needed most.
PRE-ORDER NOW
I came to the U.S. from Ecuador and grew up undocumented in Queens, N.Y. My experiences, the people I met, and the struggles I faced have shaped me into the person and organizer I am today.
In Dreaming of Home: How We Turn Fear Into Pride, Power, and Real Change, I share what it means to find home as an immigrant, even when the world–and the people in positions of power–try to erase us.
This story is about love, embodied by the parents who make life-changing sacrifices for their children and families to have better lives.
It’s a story of courage — including the organizers, advocates, lawyers, and undocumented people who are fighting deportations and building a movement with the power to change the lives of millions.
And it’s a story about belonging and how we, as a country, define love to break through the current toxic narrative around immigration.
I’m proud to share my personal story with you, friend. Pre-order your copy today — all proceeds will go toward United We Dream’s critical fight for immigrant justice.
PRE-ORDER NOW
Thank you for reading. I leave you with this excerpt from my memoir:
“But amidst the sadness of our realities, we also inspire each other and share the amazing fact that the oppression we experience has not killed our spirits or our hope.
We are young immigrants from different parts of the world, and despite our cultural differences, our stories make us feel connected and safe.
We self-organize a space for joy and celebration.”
Sincerely,
Cristina Jiménez
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