Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here by Jonathan Blitzer

The Human Cost of Failed Policies and Broken Dreams

In the scorching heat of the Sonoran Desert, a young mother clutches her child, praying for salvation as she trudges onwards. Thousands of miles away, in an air-conditioned office in Washington D.C., policymakers debate immigration quotas and enforcement strategies. These two worlds, so vastly different yet inextricably linked, form the backdrop of Jonathan Blitzer’s searing new book, “Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here.”

As I turned the pages of this meticulously researched and deeply affecting work, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu. Haven’t we been here before? Haven’t we heard these stories of desperation and hope, of political machinations and human suffering? Yet Blitzer, a staff writer for The New Yorker, manages to breathe new life into a topic that has dominated headlines for decades, offering a fresh perspective that is both enlightening and heartbreaking.

A Tapestry of Voices

Blitzer’s greatest strength lies in his ability to weave together multiple narratives, creating a rich tapestry that spans both time and geography. He introduces us to a cast of characters that includes:

• Juan Romagoza, a Salvadoran doctor tortured during his country’s civil war, who finds himself running a health clinic for immigrants in Washington D.C.
• Eddie Anzora, deported from Los Angeles to El Salvador, struggling to build a new life in a country he barely knows
• Keldy Mabel Gonzáles Brebe de Zúniga, a Honduran mother separated from her children at the U.S. border

These personal stories are interwoven with accounts of policymakers, activists, and border patrol agents, offering a 360-degree view of the immigration crisis. Blitzer’s prose is crisp and evocative, bringing to life the dusty streets of San Salvador and the sterile corridors of power in Washington with equal vividness.

A Historical Perspective

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its historical depth. Blitzer doesn’t just focus on recent events but traces the roots of the current crisis back to the Cold War era. He meticulously documents how U.S. foreign policy in Central America—supporting repressive regimes and fueling civil wars—lays the groundwork for the mass migration we see today.

The author’s analysis of the Iran-Contra affair and its impact on El Salvador is particularly insightful. This historical context adds layers of complexity to our understanding of the current situation, challenging simplistic narratives about immigration.

Policy Failures and Human Consequences

Blitzer doesn’t shy away from criticizing both Republican and Democratic administrations for their handling of immigration issues. He’s particularly scathing in his assessment of policies like family separation and the “Remain in Mexico” program, documenting their devastating impact on asylum seekers.

One of the most powerful sections of the book deals with the Obama administration’s response to the 2014 surge in unaccompanied minors at the border. Blitzer writes:

“The city had been transformed into a de facto refugee camp, its streets lined with families sleeping on cardboard boxes and tattered blankets, the main park covered in pitched tarps and lean-tos. Migrants bathed with pails and bars of soap by an open water tank.“

This balanced approach, holding multiple administrations accountable, lends credibility to Blitzer’s analysis and prevents the book from feeling partisan or preachy.

The Human Element

What truly sets “Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here” apart is its unflinching focus on the human element of the immigration crisis. Blitzer has a remarkable ability to capture the small, poignant details that bring his subjects to life.

These moments of humanity amid bureaucratic chaos and political posturing are what make the book so powerful. Blitzer reminds us that behind every statistic, every policy debate, there are real people with hopes, fears, and dreams.

A Call to Action

While Blitzer doesn’t offer easy solutions to the complex issues he explores, his book serves as a powerful call to action. By humanizing the immigration debate and exposing the systemic failures that have led to the current crisis, he challenges readers to think beyond soundbites and consider the moral implications of our policies.

The author argues convincingly that the current approach to immigration enforcement is not only inhumane but also ineffective.

A Literary Achievement

Blitzer’s prose is a testament to the power of long-form journalism. He has a novelist’s eye for detail and a poet’s ear for language, elevating what could have been a dry policy book into a work of literature. It’s this kind of evocative writing that makes “Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here” not just informative but deeply moving.

A Few Quibbles

If I have one criticism of the book, it’s that at times the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming. Blitzer covers so much ground—historically, geographically, and politically – that occasionally the narrative momentum slows. Some readers might find themselves wishing for a more focused approach.

Additionally, while Blitzer does an excellent job of presenting multiple perspectives, at times his own views come through quite strongly. This isn’t necessarily a flaw, but readers should be aware that they’re getting a particular lens on these issues.

Conclusion: A Must-Read for Our Times

“Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here” is a monumental achievement, a book that deserves to be read by policymakers, activists, and anyone concerned about the state of our world. Blitzer has crafted a narrative that is at once intimate and sweeping, offering a comprehensive look at one of the most pressing issues of our time.

As I closed the book, I found myself haunted by the stories Blitzer had shared. The faces of Juan, Eddie, Keldy, and countless others lingered in my mind, a testament to the power of storytelling to bridge divides and foster empathy.

In a political climate often characterized by heated rhetoric and oversimplification, Blitzer’s nuanced, deeply human approach feels not just refreshing but essential. “Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here” is more than just a book about immigration—it’s a mirror held up to American society, reflecting our values, our fears, and our capacity for both cruelty and compassion.

This is Blitzer’s first book, but based on the depth of his reporting and the quality of his prose, I suspect it won’t be his last. It stands alongside other seminal works on immigration like Sonia Nazario’s “Enrique’s Journey” and Oscar Martinez’s “The Beast,” offering a vital contribution to our understanding of this complex issue.

In the end, “Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here” leaves us with a challenge: to see the humanity in those seeking refuge at our borders, and to grapple honestly with the consequences of our policies. It’s a challenge we ignore at our peril.