Tuesday's Tome - We Were Illegal

 

Here's is Today's Tome - We Were Illegal by Jessica Goudeau. This one was recommended to me by a former colleague and friend, and it did not disappoint. 

We Were Illegal is one of those reads that makes you stop and think about everything you thought you knew about immigration, legality, and what it means to belong. Jessica Goudeau doesn’t just write facts; she tells stories. Real ones. About her family.  Stories of people who’ve gone through things most of us can’t imagine, just to find safety or a better life.  She has traced her family back 5 generations and their migration to Texas.

What I liked most is how human the book is. It’s not preachy or overly political—it’s just raw, personal, and eye-opening. Goudeau weaves personal narratives with historical and legal context, but it never feels like a textbook. She makes complex immigration issues relatable by putting names and faces to them.

The writing style is easy to read which makes this book hard to put down. It feels like a conversation—like you’re listening to someone who really knows what they’re talking about and cares deeply. You can tell Goudeau has done a lot of research, but she leads with heart, not stats.

If you’re even remotely interested in social justice, immigration stories, the history of Texas, or just want to broaden your perspective, this is absolutely worth the read. It’s not always an easy book—emotionally, it can be heavy—but it’s one of those important ones that stays with you long after you’ve finished.