My (Underground) American Dream

My True Story as an Undocumented Immigrant Who Became a Wall Street Executive

By: Julissa Arce

Narrated by: Julissa Arce

What does an undocumented immigrant look like? What kind of family must she come from? How could she get into this country? What is the true price she must pay to remain in the United States?

Julissa Arce knows firsthand that the most common, preconceived answers to those questions are sometimes far too simple - and often just plain wrong.

On the surface, Arce's story sounds like a how-to manual for achieving the American dream: growing up in an apartment on the outskirts of San Antonio, she worked tirelessly, achieved academic excellence, and landed a coveted job on Wall Street, complete with a six-figure salary. The level of professional and financial success that she achieved was the very definition of the American dream. But in this brave new memoir, Arce digs deep to reveal the physical, financial, and emotional costs of the stunning secret that she, like many other high-achieving, successful individuals in the United States, had been forced to keep not only from her bosses, but even from her closest friends.

From the time she was brought to this country by her hardworking parents as a child, Arce - the scholarship winner, the honors college graduate, the young woman who climbed the ladder to become a vice president at Goldman Sachs - had secretly lived as an undocumented immigrant. In this surprising, at times heart-wrenching, but always inspirational personal story of struggle, grief, and ultimate redemption, Arce takes listeners deep into the little-understood world of a generation of undocumented immigrants in the United States today - people who live next door, sit in your classrooms, work in the same office, and may very well be your boss. By opening up about the story of her successes, her heartbreaks, and her long-fought journey to emerge from the shadows and become an American citizen, Arce shows us the true cost of achieving the American dream - from the perspective of a woman who had to scale unseen and unimaginable walls to get there.

©2016 Julissa Arce (P)2016 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"There are so many moments in Julissa's journey that numbed my body and transported me fully into her harrowing experience. Her story broke my heart and then made it jump for joy." (America Ferrera, actor, producer)

"Arce takes us on a breathtaking climb to the highest pinnacles of Wall Street while holding fast to a deep secret. The path to her success at Goldman Sachs is certainly inspiring. But it is the telling of her story with humor, grace, and insight that is the real achievement." (Lisa Endlich, author of New York Times best-seller Goldman Sachs: The Culture of Success)

"A heart-rendering testament to the resiliency and determination of one woman who dared to dream. It crosses borders - literally and metaphorically." (Turney Duff, New York Times best-selling author of The Buy Side)

Interesting story

A very interesting and captivating read. Hard work and perseverance pays off. Julissa is a great author and narrator. Enjoyed this book.

Enlightened

To be able to open up and allow others in is breath taking. thank you!

A MUST READ!!!!!

I think everyone would love this book it is incredibly well written, keeps you very focused and invested in the story, and provides extremely valuable education on immigrant experiences in the US.

fantastic!

I loved listening to this audiobook! I feel completely inspired by Julissa's story. the topic of undocumented immigrants is near and dear to my heart. if you are ignorant about or interested in education, Mexican American culture, women in the workplace, or undocumented immigrants in our country, please read and share this book!

LOVED IT!

LOVED IT! Felt like I was there with you! Congratulations on your strength and success!

Amazing.

Everyone should read this book. Such an amazing read and the information that is given is profound and real. Thank you Julissa!!!

Could not stop listening, super engaging and real

Great book, I first read her new book You Sound like a White Girl: The case of rejecting assimilation and loved so I had to go back a read her first two books. It’s relatable to so many and she makes you feel you are living the experiences with her. Looking forward to reading your future work.

Loved this book!!!

I really enjoyed listening to this book!! Great story and May God continue to bless you on your journey!!

amazing story!

This book was heart felt and read by the author, definitely felt the emotion when she read it. Julissa is an inspiration y orgullo! Incredible the length she had to go through to survive in this country when she had every right to live and accomplish so much without that constant fear. More people should read this book and try to understand people who aren't like them.

MUST READ/LISTEN! Loved the rawness of it all

If you could sum up My (Underground) American Dream in three words, what would they be?

Profound, intense, honest

What was one of the most memorable moments of My (Underground) American Dream?

Over 11 billion dollars are paid in taxes by undocumented immigrants in the US. Money that they will never benefit from.

What does Julissa Arce bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Hearing the heartbreak in her voice as she described her profound loneliness.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Cry because my mother was an immigrant like Julissa, and she too was afraid of her own shadow. But unlike them I'm not afraid, also unlike them I was born an American and for that I am forever proud and grateful to my parents.

Any additional comments?

Thanks Julissa for sharing such a personal, emotional and relatable story that has truly touched my heart.