Immigration
In the text, the immigration story of Gabe's parents, Isabelle and Octavio, is revealed. Both of Gabe's parents are "tapatíos", or people who come from Guadalajara, Mexico (page 16). Gabe goes on to describe some of the cultural practices with which his family engages, which retains elements of their Mexican culture. He goes to grab a Coca-Cola from the fridge, but makes certain to distinguish it as a "Mexican Coke", going on to express his dislike for the American version of the drink (page 18). Further, he describes the happenings at his dinner table, noting that his family spoke to one another in "Spanish, English, and Spanglish" (page 21).
As Gabe is getting newly acquainted with his impending tasks as Ambassador, he encounters the United States immigration authorities. He learns that ICE, stands for the "Immigration and Customs Enforcement", and he puns the acronym describing his car ride to the ICE facilities as going to an "icy place in a pocket of icy silence" (page 78). He describes carrying his birth certificate with him to the center to have proof of his nationality and citizenship status if needed (page 79). As he speaks with his father, Gabe gains some understanding about the legal intricacies of the immigration system. He hears the legal terminology surrounding his mother's release from the center, as she is being released "on recognizance" (page 81). He also learns that his father, due to being deported once before cannot apply for reentry into the United States for another ten years (page 82). Gabe, as narrator, voices the experiences, much like these, of his immigrant family throughout the book.