Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What images or ideas come to mind when you hear the word deportation? What is the difference between deportation and detention? Who is responsible for carrying out deportations and detentions in the US?

Teaching Suggestion: With sensitivity in mind, especially with regard to background and personal experiences of students in the class, defining and discussing these issues will help to cover appropriate socio-historical context prior to class study of Efrén Divided. Connect to the novel by explaining that although Efrén was born in America (and thus is a US citizen), his parents were not. As they do not have legal permission to live and work in the US, Efrén is always afraid that they will be caught, then detained or deported. Students might reference images of raids or arrests they have seen in the media; they might mention ICE, la migra, or the government; they might mention cages for detainees and the border wall between Mexico and the US.

• For a look at the legal processes and specifics of detaining non-US citizens, the US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) site on “
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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