This study investigates the socio-economic motivations and lived experiences of Brazilian immigrants in New York City, challenging traditional paradigms of migration driven solely by poverty or political asylum. Maxine L. Margolis, a noted anthropologist, utilizes extensive ethnographic fieldwork and qualitative interviews to document the specific challenges faced by this demographic. The work examines the paradox of well-educated, middle-class individuals entering the United States as undocumented workers, providing a framework for understanding their unique integration patterns and legal status struggles.

The subject matter points to a rigorous, academic exploration of migration patterns that serves as a foundational text for students and researchers of urban anthropology. Its focus on the specific legal and social hurdles of the Brazilian community provides a specialized, evidence-based perspective on the complexities of modern immigration in the United States.