The Promise of America by William Sanchez
Born in Spanish Harlem to Cuban refugee parents, Will Sanchez has represented marginalized communities ever since he graduated from Georgetown Law. Having served the country as a White House appointee and Special Counsel shortly after 9/11, he recently ran for U.S. Senate in Florida as a progressive with bold ideas for America’s future.
The Promise of America guides readers through personal family stories as well as broader topics touching on America’s promise for the future and the absolute need to protect and strengthen the democracy.
He recently elaborated on his themes in this BookTrib interview.
Q: Why did you write The Promise of America?
A: The promise of America is why my parents fled communism 60 years ago and came to the greatest country in the world. It is what drives millions to want to enter our country every year. It is the driving force behind thousands of my clients’ wishes. Rather than write a biography or memoir about my life, I thought it would be more appropriate to write about this issue, and how it has affected our lives.
I do deeply love the country that opened its doors to our family and continues to do so for those in need, but I feel that the recent attacks on our democracy require a firm rebuke. I humbly hope this book to be one of the vehicles used to serve that purpose.
Q: What are the main themes in the book?
A: The promise America continues to make to those that land on our shores, as well as the dreams of those who hope to come here. My family’s history in coming to America. My experiences as a child and adult in USA. Reflections on the American legal system and my experience with it in federal court. My experience with work in the White House, practicing immigration law for over 30 years and running for U.S. Senate, with specific policy goals for Florida and America.
Q: As an immigration lawyer and son of refugees, how did your personal background influence your perspectives, your vision of America, and your outlook for the future?
A: Growing up I didn’t think much about why my parents came to America. I was just another city kid enjoying life in the world’s greatest metropolis. After moving to Miami, I started to see things more through the lens of the refugee and immigrant community in Miami. I then started reflecting more on why my parents and millions of other came to America and realized how I’d been blessed beyond measure to live here.
My wife’s experience as an immigrant from the Philippines and her encouragement to represent immigrants made sense. My background had a great impact on my perspective and respect for America’s cherished principles. The recent attacks on our democracy inspired me to get more directly involved in trying to secure that America as nation will be greater in the future than it is now.
Q: Tell us about your efforts to represent and help marginalized communities.
A: Having become an immigration lawyer, my focus initially was on detained refugees who were seeking asylum in this country. Our law firm focused on obtaining their release from custody and ability to stay in the U.S. We’ve worked on thousands of asylum cases over the years, as well as represented migrant farmworkers who were denied green cards by immigration. We’ve also done immigration advocacy work in Washington — and sued cities and states like Arizona who tried to pass anti-immigrants legislation. After the financial crash of 2008, we also decided to represent individuals who were facing foreclosure and became involved in class action lawsuits representing those homeowners against the banks. We are currently lead counsel in a high-profile case representing taxpayers against Gov. DeSantis and Florida for their decision to punish Disney World for their vocal support of the LGBTQ community.
Q: How and why did you make the decision to run for the U.S. Senate?
A: Because I truly believe it affords me the opportunity to continue to protect and advocate on behalf of marginalized communities. Of course, I would be representing all constituents in assuring the government properly speaks on behalf of all Floridians and Americans — and not, as has happened too much lately, have a system that protects the politicians and not the people.
Q: What was the most challenging part of the book to write?
A: Trying to choose which issues deserved more attention than others. There are so many important issues that require serious advocacy in America that choosing to focus on only a few was difficult. It was also challenging to write about family life and history as it exposes us to criticism in many fronts, but I believe it needs to be made so that readers really understand where we come from.
Q: What do you hope readers will take away from this book?
A: I hope they take away the love for family and this great nation. I also hope they have an opportunity to reflect on those issues we’ve focused on and it helps open up a debate of actual solutions needed to address these problems. Not just empty rhetoric but actual concrete suggestions that require further national discussion.
Q: What does the future hold for Will Sanchez?
A: Enjoying grandchildren and travel with my beautiful wife. Or maybe another Senate or Presidential run one day. Having achieved more votes in the 2022 Democratic primary than any other newcomer to the U.S. Senate race, there are many individuals and organizations reaching out to me to run against Senator Rick Scott in 2024. It is something I will give serious consideration to after the holidays. Regardless, as an attorney, advocate for refugees, politician, or author, I hope to humbly continue to serve God, family and nation in the best way possible.
William Sanchez was born in NYC, in 1961, the son of Cuban exiles who fled Communism and the Castro regime. He grew up in New York’s diverse Spanish Harlem. As senior partner of the family law firm he has always defended marginalized communities, especially refugees and immigrants. The January 6th insurrection inspired him to run for US Senate, focusing on protecting the democracy. He received more votes than any other newcomer in the 2022 US Senate Democratic primary.
Publish Date: December 26, 2022
Author: William Sanchez
Page Count: 152 pages
ISBN: 9798371298348
