Jende is a Cameroonian immigrant who has lived in New York for three years, fighting to secure asylum for his family. He maintains a deep devotion to his wife, Neni, and takes immense pride in his role as the primary provider. Working as a chauffeur for the wealthy Edwards family, he views America as a land of limitless opportunity, though his precarious legal status causes constant anxiety.

Neni is a 33-year-old Cameroonian immigrant balancing her duties as a mother, a home health aide, and a student at a community college. She harbors intense ambition, dreaming of becoming a pharmacist to secure a comfortable, middle-class life. She possesses a pragmatic streak and acts as the emotional and logistical anchor for her household.

Clark is a top executive at Lehman Brothers and the son of a Stanford professor. Despite his vast wealth, he suffers from immense pressure regarding his firm's questionable accounting practices and impending financial disaster. He prioritizes his career over his domestic life, leading to severe marital strain.

Cindy is a nutritionist and socialite who grew up in severe poverty before marrying into wealth. She masks her deep insecurities and imposter syndrome with pristine appearances and designer clothing. Her anxiety over her marriage and her son's rebellion drives her toward secret alcohol and prescription pill abuse.

Vince is the eldest son of the Edwards family and a law student at Columbia University. He actively rejects his parents' opulent lifestyle, viewing their wealth and corporate ties as morally corrupt. He seeks spiritual authenticity by abandoning his elite legal track to travel abroad.

Mighty is the nine-year-old son of Clark and Cindy Edwards. Because his parents are consumed by work and social obligations, he spends most of his time supervised by nannies and drivers. He is highly sensitive to the growing discord in his home.

Fatou is an African immigrant and Neni's closest confidante in New York. Having lived in the United States longer than Neni, she offers practical advice on navigating American culture. She provides a grounding influence when Neni feels overwhelmed by her responsibilities.

Winston is Jende's cousin who works as a lawyer at a New York firm. He represents a successful model of immigrant integration, comfortably socializing with affluent white Americans. He frequently dispenses legal and social advice to the Jonga family.

Bubakar is a naturalized Nigerian-American citizen working as an immigration lawyer. He charges high fees for his services and routinely advises clients to fabricate stories of political persecution to secure green cards.

Liomi is Jende and Neni's eldest child, who quickly adapts to American customs and culture. His parents view his potential success as the primary justification for their grueling labor and sacrifices.

The dean at Borough of Manhattan Community College is an academic administrator. He strictly enforces institutional rules regarding scholarships and immigration status, discouraging ambitious students who lack proper documentation.

Leah is an older administrative assistant working for Clark Edwards at Lehman Brothers. She is friendly toward Jende and possesses inside knowledge regarding the impending collapse of the firm's subprime mortgage investments.

Amatimba, affectionately called Timba, is the infant daughter of Jende and Neni. As the only member of the family born in the United States, she legally anchors the Jongas to America.