What is the importance of social security numbers as noted in the nonfiction book, Underground America: Narratives of Undocumented Lives?

For many of the interviewed immigrants, social security numbers are an important gateway into higher paying jobs. This is especially clear in Lorena’s chapter, “Sabrina Needs Her Social Security Back.” Without papers or with only falsified ones, Lorena is never able to work above an entry-level food service job. With her cousin’s social security number, however, Lorena is able to enter an office job, something new and unexpected for her.