The Politics of Immigration: Questions and Answers

by Jane Guskin, David L. Wilson

In the spring of 2006, millions of immigrants and supporters organized in cities and small towns across the United States to defend their rights following the passage of HR4437, a bill designed to punish unauthorized immigrants. In an unprecedented show of force, tens of thousands of workers marched out of meatpacking plants, factories, restaurants, landscape businesses and stores, while students--many of them the US-born children of immigrants--staged school walkouts. Thousands also observed a one-day national consumer boycott to demonstrate the economic power of immigrant communities.

The spring 2006 mobilizations--and the ensuing backlash from anti-immigrant sectors--pushed the topic of immigration to the front and center of U.S. politics. Polls show the public increasingly divided, with the debate framed as a choice between "deport them all" and "give everyone amnesty." But dialogue is possible when we dig deeper. Why are people leaving their homes? Why are they coming here? What is the impact of our current enforcement policies? What kinds of alternatives exist?

Backed with a wide range of cited sources, The Politics of Immigration tackles questions and concerns about immigration with compelling arguments and hard facts, laid out in straightforward language and an accessible question-and-answer format.

For immigrants and supporters, the book is an effective tool to confront common myths and misinformation. For teachers, it provides a useful framework on the current debate, and ample opportunities for students to reach out and explore the intersecting issues.

Those who believe immigrants steal jobs from citizens, drive down wages, strain public services, and threaten our culture will find such assumptions challenged here, while people who are undecided about immigration will find the solid data and clear reasoning they need to develop an informed opinion.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

312 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2007

About the author

Jane Guskin and David L. Wilson are the co-editors of Weekly News Update on the Americas, Guskin also edits Immigration News 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. Wilson's articles on Latin American issues have appeared in publications including Monthly Review, Extra!, and New York's El Diario-La Prensa

Guskin and Wilson are available to talk about the book and facilitate discussions around immigration. Contact them at thepoliticsofimmigration@gmail.com.

Reviews

[Ben Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is extremely relevant, and will likely continue to be so unless serious change happens in our society.

[ASC Library]

325.73 Gus

[Patrick\ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incomplete, but the arguments for immigration reform, though one-sided, are good. However, to use an example that is off topic but makes things clearer: if Russia wants Abkhazia independent of Georgia, then Georgia should say OK on condition Chechneya becomes independent of Russia. You know the answer here. It is never a one-way push where fairness is called for. Dual conditions need to be searched then the dialogue can work for all.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a solid debunking of the biggest myths about immigration, and is an invaluable resource in standing up to the nonsense of the Lou Dobbs crowd. My only criticisms are: (1) the writing style is a bit choppy and awkward and (2) some of the "answers" in the book aren't fleshed out enough. Overall, though, the book's positives strongly outweigh the negatives, and I highly recommend it.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accessible and important information everyone should know