Alcohol is almost always the precursor to trouble in America is in the Heart. It is unclear why Allos resists alcohol for so long. However, by the end of the book, he sees so many violent acts—often precipitated by or associated with alcohol—that his aversion to it begins to make more sense. Perhaps his resistance stems from having witnessed similar situations in the Philippines. It is significant that many of Allos’s darkest times also coincide with times when he drinks. His father also falls victim to alcoholism when he loses all of his land.

Despite feeling trapped by less than ideal circumstances in America, Allos is never without a temporary escape route. Huge swaths of the book read like travel itineraries as he bounces from town to town and back again. This coping mechanism of uprooting himself would not be possible without the prevalence of trains and buses. These transportation modes also reflect the character's pervasive restlessness.

Simply living in America is a risk for Filipinos. Those who look most prosperous to Allos are often those who run criminal enterprises or gambling houses. Because the wages are so poor for most jobs, gambling represents a chance to make a big score in order to get some breathing room.