An Ecuadorian linguist in New York is marketing a boardgame called “The Illegal Game,” where you play the role of an undocumented immigrant winding his way through all the city’s boroughs towards the end goal of a retirement pension. (What, no 78 virgins? Oh, wait: that’s “The Extremist Game.”) Jorge Freire says every hardship your game piece faces is based on his 20 year-long experience as a court interpreter in the Big Apple, where we’re sure he saw all sorts of life-affirming shit go down. But does any of that stuff make its way into the game?

There are penalties for cheating, stealing and selling drugs. One of the cards reads, “Your sister steals $10,000 from you.” […] The game is also paved with danger: Deportation, jail and even being run over by a train are possible outcomes.

Who knew? Until this came along, we thought that life as an illegal was all sunshine and zany block parties. At least that’s what the news tells us every day.

‘Illegal’ game shows life for immigrants in New York [NY Daily News]
Image [Koesrter / NY Daily News]