"Optional Exile" Live Stories of Immigrants in U.S

At Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF), author Samia Sadek  presented her book "Optional Exile ... The American Dream and Illusion".

It's talking about Immigrants travel to the United States in search of the American dream but, the ideal image is shattered after confronting the lifestyles of expatriates in this distant land.

"Through the 6 chapters, Sadek links her living experience with migrants and their deplorable lifestyles often spent in hunger, homelessness, and homesickness for everything that is Egyptian, in contrast to the imaginative picture they talk about when returning to their home country.

She says that the Egyptians are the least integrated into the American society, among the immigrants, whether they are successful; they are rare or common people who live the same lifestyle they used to live in their home country.

The author adds that these immigrants seem to connect with everything that is Egyptian, from following the press and TV channels to listening to Umm Kulthum, Nagat Al-Saghira, and Abdel Halim.

Although they live in the states, their entire ways of living are purely Egyptian, to the point that they call the state of New Jersey American "Shubra", due to its relevance to a district in Cairo.

One can feel in Egypt in some N.J. districts as it includes Kushari, beans & falafel restaurants as well as shops that sell Egyptian outfits.

Marriage and Citizenship

Sadek added that she traveled to the United States to evade emotional stress after her mother's death in 2012, and while she stayed for three years in the country, she was exposed to everything that immigrants faced.

One of the main challenges Egyptian migrants face is arranging a marriage to obtain citizenship, which destroys the lives of hundreds of Egyptians, especially since porce can cost them half of their savings and assets.

Another challenge is distracted second-generation children, who lose their identity, despite their continued affiliation within the Egyptian community.

On the other hand, some immigrants apply for political or religious asylums to obtain a "green card" or a residence permit, which affects applicants, especially in their relations with Arab, Egyptian communities, causing trouble for their families because of this biased asylum.

Harassing America's Wasted Talent

The author added that obtaining a job in the United States is very difficult, as foreign certificates must be accredited and approved, which brings 80% of Egyptians to work in restaurants, shops, drivers, or any low paying jobs.

Finally, some employees work without contracts or official papers to escape tax and increase their chances of obtaining unemployment compensation, including food coupons.