According to the United Nations, the world is currently facing "the worst migration crisis since World War II". This makes the story of the Yacoub family very relevant as it communicates a personalized story of those who must leave their homes, but do not reside in refugee camps. In an Al-Jazeera interview, Alyan said that "the Trump era has amplified issues that have always existed... in that sense, I'm happy this book has come out in an era of literal and psychological borders". The Yacoubs provide an insight into the mental and emotional ramifications of the migration crisis as opposed to the physical impacts that are generally emphasized in popular discussion.