The Politics of Immigration (2nd Edition): Questions and Answers

by David Wilson, Jane Guskin

Overview

A straightforward discussion of the issues surrounding immigration

U.S. immigration has been the subject of furious debates for decades. On one side, politicians and the media talk about aliens and criminals, with calls to “deport them all.” On the other side, some advocates idealize immigrants and gloss over problems associated with immigration. Dialogue becomes possible when we dig deeper and ask tough questions: Why are people in other countries leaving their homes and coming here? What does it mean to be “illegal”? How do immigration raids, prisons, and border walls impact communities? Who suffers and who profits from our current system—and what would happen if we transformed it?

The Politics of Immigration: Questions and Answers goes beyond soundbites to tackle these concerns in straightforward language and an accessible question-and-answer format. First published in 2007, this updated and expanded edition is an effective tool to confront current stereotypes and disinformation. Those who believe immigrants take jobs from citizens, don't pay taxes, strain public services, and threaten the dominant culture will find their assumptions challenged with compelling arguments and hard data. Ideal for classroom use, The Politics of Immigration provides those who are undecided about immigration with the facts and clear reasoning they need to develop an informed opinion.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781583676363
Publisher:	Monthly Review Press
Publication date:	05/22/2017
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	312
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

David Wilson has been writing about immigration, labor, Latin America and Caribbean since 1990.

Jane Guskin is the co-editors of Weekly News Update on the Americas. Guskin also edits Immigration New Briefs. Guskin produced a widely circulated immigrant rights flier entitled “What's So Wrong About Immigration?” Her essay “The Case for Open Borders” was published in Melting Point or Boiling Point? The Issues of Immigration.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 7

Introduction 9

Authors' Notes 13

1 Who Are the Immigrants? 17

2 Why Do People Immigrate? 27

3 Does the United States Welcome Refugees? 43

4 Why Can't They Just "Get Legal"? 65

5 Is It Easy to Be "Illegal"? 83

6 Are Immigrants Hurting Our Economy? 101

7 Is Immigration Hurting Our Health, Environment, or Culture? 121

8 Are Immigrants a Threat? 137

9 Enforcement: Is It a Solution? 155

10 What About Amnesty and "Guest Worker" Programs? 183

11 Why Do We Jail and Deport Immigrants? 205

12 Can We Open Our Borders? 235

Afterword 249

Immigration and the Law: A Chronology 253

Notes 271

Index 357