The plight of the American immigrant has seldom been chronicled as realistically and lovingly as in In America. Johnny and Sarah decide to bring their small family to America after the terrible death of their son Frankie from cancer. They and their two daughters, Christy and Ariel, try to adjust to their new surroundings and start a new life, leaving the past behind them.

In Johnny and Sarah's new home in New York City, the family faces many difficulties. The apartment is falling apart and doesn't have air conditioning. No matter how hard they try, they struggle to get ahead. When Christy and Ariel become friends with Mateo downstairs, the family begins to realize how lucky they really are.

Mateo is dying from AIDS, and around the time they meet, Sarah becomes pregnant. He reassures her that everything will be okay. While Mateo is dying, Sarah goes into...