After working as a translator in Vermont to the children of migrant workers, Julia Alvarez felt inspired to write Return to Sender, which chronicles the experiences of families that move to New England from Mexico.

Of the novel's name, Alvarez writes: "The title comes from a dragnet operation that the Department of Homeland Security conducted in 2006, named, Return to Sender. Work places were raided and undocumented workers were seized. Their children were the biggest casualties of this operation -- left behind to be soothed and reassured until they could be finally reunited with their parents."