West LA Times

UCLA professor Jason De León has been awarded the 2024 National Book Award for Nonfiction for his work "Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling." The book is based on seven years of ethnographic research and interviews, offering insight into the lives of individuals involved in smuggling migrants from Central America and Mexico to the United States.

The award ceremony took place on November 20 in New York City, where winners in various categories were celebrated. De León is the second UCLA honoree in two years, following Justin Torres's fiction award last year.

In his acceptance speech, De León remarked, “This book was a janky little anthropological project about a bunch of banged-up and beaten-down people who refused to give up hope.” He highlighted that it all began with a young man named Roberto asking why no one listens to them. The book delves into undocumented immigration complexities through stories of informants, gang leaders, and guides.

De León is a UCLA alumnus and professor directing the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA. He authored "The Land of Open Graves" in 2015 and received a MacArthur grant in 2017. He also founded the Undocumented Migration Project.

During his speech, De León shared an unexpected moment when he received a hug from host Kate McKinnon. He mentioned how this would earn him points with his children, Iggy and Lorenzo. He concluded by encouraging reading: “We’re going to need them in the future and in these tough times ahead.”

Reflecting on winning the award, De León expressed disbelief but gratitude for bringing attention to migration stories often overlooked. "A big part of this book is about this kid, Roberto," he noted.

He hopes readers will gain an understanding beyond simplistic solutions like border walls. Social science research should challenge people with complex questions about migration issues.

Writing "Soldiers and Kings" had personal impacts on De León as well. It led him back to therapy after many years away from it: “It changed me in fundamental ways,” he admitted.

At the ceremony, he wore Laker-themed shoes as a nod to Los Angeles and UCLA. His journey through academia was nontraditional; he aims to show students they belong regardless of background or appearance: “I’ve always really tried hard to show students that they belong."