The major spokespeople are Alma, Maribel's mother and Mayor, Maribel's friend. Others from the immigrant community get a short vignette. While the vignettes provide insight into reasons for immigrating and where it led the immigrants, they do not seem well integrated into the novel. I tried to look at the main character of the novel as the group called 'immigrants,' but I couldn't make it work. It is mostly Alma's story. 
 The plot moves well, otherwise, with events feeling inevitable, given choices made. And yes, it seemed likely that those characters would make those choices. The characters (save one or two) are quite likable and the main characters are well developed. 
 It was the Multnomah County 'Everybody Reads' book, and I look forward to the discussions it should promote.