Gringo is Jeffrey Thomas’ memoir, which he wrote while in jail awaiting trial for shooting and killing a Mexican illegal immigrant. Before the shooting, Mr. Thomas had been a high school English teacher. However, though the specific focus of the memoir is the man Mr. Thomas and the incident of his killing of a Mexican illegal immigrant, the larger social issue that emerges in the memoir is immigration itself, legal and illegal.

In the memoir, Mr. Thomas describes conversations he had in jail with his wife, a black guard, a Latino prisoner, a reverend, and a psychiatrist. Each of these people offers a unique viewpoint concerning the controversy surrounding illegal immigration.

In Mr. Thomas’ opinion, illegal immigration has negatively influenced every aspect of American society and culture. He believes his shooting of an illegal immigrant can be understood in that light. Ultimately, however, the reader will decide whether or not Mr. Thomas is guilty and whether his views on immigration are valid or not…