A captivating photographic portrait of the diverse experiences of immigrants in the United States, depicting the resilience and realities of building a home in a new place.
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Disturbed by increasingly hostile views of immigration in the United States arising during the 2016 presidential election, photographer Colin Boyd Shafer set out on a road trip to meet hundreds of families and individuals with roots abroad who now live in America. The result is this collection of striking photos and moving stories that form a portrait of the nation’s complex and shifting relationship to immigration. Some of the participants chose to make America home; others were displaced by crises. Some were warmly welcomed and granted citizenship; others battled the immigration system for years and still live with fear and uncertainty. Their circumstances and origins vary, but all are united by a determination to live a decent life in their new country, and a willingness to share their stories—of harrowing journeys, intense love, separated families, passionate activism—in hopes of inspiring greater solidarity with the actual people who have crossed imaginary lines.
“Beautifully reveals the intricate tapestry of humanity with remarkable sensitivity, poise, and creativity. Colin has skillfully offered us a window into our own stories. A true masterpiece.”
—Deepak Ramola, Founder & Artistic Director of Project FUEL and author of 50 Toughest Questions of Life
“This is beautiful work that really forces us to think about what it means to be American—and, indeed, human. Rich, layered, and poignant, it is a reminder that there is more that connects us than divides us.”
—Heaven Crawley, Head of Equitable Development and Migration at United Nations University Centre for Policy Research
“Through Colin’s lens and the participants’ stories we see the realities of immigrant life in America: sometimes beautiful, sometimes harrowing, always human.”
—Barbara Davidson, Pulitzer Prize–winning photojournalist and Guggenheim Fellow
“At a time where anti-immigrant sentiment is painfully high around the world, when we are aching for bridges, not borders, this book offers us necessary hope through storytelling and human connection. Timely, provocative, and compassionate, Finding American should be in every home, to be combed through carefully and thoroughly.”
—Ruchika Tulshyan, author of Inclusion on Purpose and The Diversity Advantage