Lisa Ko highlights how the transracial adoption of children contributes to a “liberal racism” seen in contemporary America, where U.S.-born children are displaced from their original culture and families while their undocumented, immigrant mothers are ostracized in society (Ko). The second half of The Leavers elaborates on Peilan’s life from her perspective which maximizes her voice and further complicates her character since her introduction in the first half of the novel. Unlike Deming, who is named Daniel by his adoptive parents and has less agency, Peilan chooses the name Polly in an attempt to fit into the new, dominant culture that impacts her life.
Currently there is a flawed adoption and detainment process in the United States for children of undocumented or deported parents. Despite the end of the former “zero-tolerance” plan, children still remain in detention centers in addition to foster care who may not be eligible for reunification or release (Burke and Mendoza). Welfare agencies are also brought into the situation when the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement tries to establish a plan for children of undocumented parents who are no longer in the United States, further complicating the care of the child (Burke and Mendoza). Language barriers are taken advantage of throughout the separation process as well. In 2018, Central American parents were “coerced into signing paperwork they did not understand, affecting their rights to reunify with their children”(Burke and Mendoza). A plethora of issues arise when children are separated from their parents, regardless of whether they are U.S. citizens or not because multiple U.S. institutions must come together to resolve the child’s case and must remain actively involved under the current system, or else the case is forgotten.
In the second half of The Leavers, Peilan elaborates on the cultural differences between her generation and Deming’s generation, the racial discrimination she faced, and her personal restlessness over the decisions she has made throughout her life. Still today, Asian Americans are seen as “model minorities” or “perpetual foreigners” a narrative their second-generation children are discovering which Ko explains through Peilan’s character (Pan). As The Leavers progresses, Peilan and Deming’s relationship is revitalized when she receives a call from Deming and they remain in contact. Ko explains how their relationship as mother and son are complicated by various places and identities over time despite Peilan leaving in the beginning. The Leavers illustrates how place can strengthen, fracture, or complicate connections between family and why it is important to remain cognizant of migration and contested citizenship processes used in the U.S. today.
Works Cited
Burke, Garance, and Martha Mendoza. “AP Investigation: Deported Parents May Lose Kids to Adoption.” AP NEWS, Associated Press, 9 Oct. 2018, https://apnews.com/article/immigration-us-news-ap-top-news-international-news-arrests-97b06cede0c149c492bf25a48cb6c26f.
Ko, Lisa. Interview by Barbara Kingsolver. Algonquin Books, 2017, http://lisa-ko.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/kingsolverinterview.pdf
Pan, Deanna. “Young Asian Americans Struggle to Get Immigrant Parents to Open up about a Painful Issue: Racism – The Boston Globe.” BostonGlobe.com, The Boston Globe, 6 July 2021, https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/05/metro/young-asian-americans-struggle-get-immigrant-parents-open-up-about-painful-issue-racism/.
Hello! Really great post. I loved how you started with explaining part 2 of the book then connected it to real-life America. They way you tied it together at the end too was great. It is heartbreaking to find out that Peilan was deported. It was almost easier to believe that she chose to leave her family. Adding her perspective to the book really was a game changer for me. It opened my eyes to both sides of the spectrum and that did a lot for my understanding.
Hi Isabella,
Thank you very much for the in-depth look into the dynamics of illegal immigration. It is very disheartening that this is such a flawed system that even has its own government working against each other to complicate it further. These people are already in a hard situation that is further worsened by some of the things you mentioned above.
Hi!
This context presentation really opens the readers eyes to how unfair this system is. I found it very interesting that language barriers were taken advantage of; the thought never really crossed my mind. This presentation makes it apparent that this system is far from being perfect, and we need to do something to make it better. I loved the closing sentence explaining the many different effects place can have on relationships; it tied in with last weeks discussion very well.
Hi!
This is a well written context presentation! You discussed necessary information evident to the reader and how they understand the story. You wrote on the process of adoption and the process of where one is sent, as well as the process of reunited families. You mention how there is paperwork where one does not fully understand what they are reading and signing. This is unfair as one’s family is more important than organizing papers, and it is necessary for families to reunite. You mention how cases may be “forgotten,” which is not substantial for one’s life as their family is not just a case that can be thrown away or ignored but should rather be significantly acknowledged and prioritized. There are also barriers you discussed including one’s language that I was unfamiliar with.
Hi! I think your work has helped me better understand this novel. There are many examples in your work and details in the book, which I think can further demonstrate your point of view and gain more recognition. And you compared the fictional immigration story in the book with the current American policy, which further facilitated us to understand the story in the book. Good job!
Hello,
Great job! I learned a lot from your post. You made a good point about this novel. You said “Despite the end of the former “zero-tolerance” plan, children still remain in detention centers in addition to foster care who may not be eligible for reunification or release”. I think this is a good issue related with this novel. I do not know there are still many children in detention center because of the flawed adoption and detainment process. Thank you for letting me know more about the world. I really enjoy reading your post.
Hello, I really enjoyed this presentation for many reasons. I personally have had an experience with my little sister and the system, so this was really eye opening and this needs more recognition in this world!