Citizen Illegal

The poem explores the different ways a Mexican immigrant to the United States might come to think of himself, and be regarded by others, as he engages with a society that is often hostile to him or mispresents his culture. In some ways he might be accepted, both officially and informally, in which case he is a “(citizen),” and in other ways, he might be regarded as an unwelcome outsider “(illegal).”

Olivarez’s parents are hiding in the trunk of a Toyota Tercel. The car is traveling north from Mexico at night. The car stops at the US border, where there is an official in a green uniform; the parents think they are about to be discovered. However, the official does not open the trunk, which would have ended the family’s attempt to immigrate to the US. Olivarez thinks back to that night and wonders where God was. The car proceeds, and Olivarez does not know whether his parents were celebrating or praying.

St. Peter has the names of every Mexican who enters heaven. He keeps a list, although Mexicans have not trusted lists since the time of President Ronald Reagan.