Summary

“Those Who Haven’t Fallen Don’t Know How to Walk” is the name given to the testimony of Roberto, a 43-year-old factory worker and cook from Mexico living in San Francisco. Roberto initially travelled north from Mexico City to San Diego via a coyote—a paid guide to help him covertly cross the border—and eventually made his way to Bakersfield. There, alone and only 15 years old, he worked as a grape harvester. To make their money go further, workers routinely pooled their money for expenses. He eventually left fruit picking to become a gardener in Chico and eventually, in San Jose, acquired a job in a tortilla factory.

One day, while leaving work, he was involved in a car accident. Although the accident was not his fault, he panicked and ran away from the scene. He was taken to...