Tyler Paquette
Tyler is the story's protagonist, aged 11. Tyler is a compassionate, honest, and sensitive boy who analyzes situations before making judgments. Tyler lives with his aunt and uncle in Boston when the story opens. At the end of summer, Tyler returns home and finds that his parents have hired four Mexican men to help on the farm. At first, Tyler is curious and starts investigating the children of one of the newly hired men on their farm. Tyler discovers that the eldest daughter of Cruz, Mari, was not born in the United States of America. Tyler gets worried that his parents have hired illegal immigrants, and that can easily put the family in trouble with law enforcement agencies.
However, Tyler is compassionate and humane because he engages Mari to know more about her history. Tyler discovers that Mari is a good girl and her family is equally friendly. Tyler supports Mari and her family throughout the text because they become one big family. Ultimately, the Cruz family is deported back to Mexico, but Tyler and his family remain supportive.
María Dolores Cruz (Mari)
Mari is the eldest daughter in her family. The author portrays Mari as an honest and secretive girl. Mari was four years old when her parents illegally crossed the border to the United States of America. When Mari's father is employed to work on Tyler's family farm, Mari is eleven years old. During a conversation with Tyler, Mari's youngest sister reveals that Mari was born in Mexico. Tyler is shocked by that revelation, and he shares with his parents about Cruz's undocumented status. However, Mari becomes honest with Tayler, and they become great friends.
María Ofelia
María Ofelia is the second born in Mari’s family. María Ofelia is a silent girl who does not like talking to strangers. María Ofelia also fears speaking with people because she does not want anybody to know that her parents are illegal immigrants.
Lubyneida
Lubyneida is the youngest in Mari’s family. Lubyneida is talkative and friendly. When Tyler visits the girls, Lubyneida hijacks the conversation and tells Tyler that Mari was born in Mexico. From this revelation, Tyler knows that Mari's family is staying illegally in the United States of America.
Tyler’s grandmother
Tyler's grandmother is a lovely and caring woman living on the same farm as Tyler's family. Grandmother loves spending time with Mari and her sisters in her house. Tyler realizes that his grandmother has a cordial relationship with the girls, and he regrets his decision to share with his parents about their illegal immigrant status. Taylor starts creating good friendships with the girls because they are innocent and friendly.
Mamá
Mamá is the mother of Mari and her siblings. Mamá is sad because she has spent several days trapped at the border by the coyotes. Mamá has no adequate money to pay coyotes to set her free. At last, Papá raises enough money to pay coyotes to allow Mamá cross the border and reunite with the rest of the family. Tyler and his family welcome Mamá to the farm.
Papá
Papá is the father of Mari, María Ofelia and Lubyneida. Papá is an illegal immigrant living in the United States of America. When Papá gets a job on Tayler's family farm, he does not disclose his immigration status. At last, Papá shares his story with Tayler's parents, who promise to help him evade police raids.
Tío Felipe
Papá's brother Felipe is also an illegal immigrant in the United States of America. Unfortunately, Felipe is arrested by the corps and taken to court. Tyler's parents hire a competent lawyer who helps him to be deported without being charged with criminal offences.
Mr. Rossetti
Mr. Rossetti is an older town man who fears that the illegal immigrants are posing a danger to the locals. During a town meeting, Rossetti suggests that all illegal immigrants should be deported. Fortunately, Rossetti's motion is declined by other townspeople.
Mr. Bicknell
Mr. Bicknell is Tyler's teacher portrayed as humane, understanding and caring. When Mr. Bicknell hears that illegal Mexicans should be deported, he objects to the motion and argues that most Mexican families are not criminals. Bicknell also tells the townspeople that most Mexicans are descendants of early immigrants.
