A Country for All: An Immigrant Manifesto

by Jorge Ramos

For decades, fixing the United States’ broken immigration system has been one of the most urgent challenges facing our country, and time and time again, politicians have passed the buck. With anti-immigrant sentiment rising around the country, and presidential elections on the horizon, it’s no surprise immigration reform is on every candidate’s agenda. While some candidates offer viable solutions, others perpetuate negative stereotypes and unpractical resolve. Ramos fearlessly questions political tactics, and has undoubtedly become the voice of the Latino vote in the US. It is now more important than ever to remember the role immigrants play in enriching our economy and culture, and to find a way to incorporate the millions of productive, law-abiding workers who have been drawn to the United States by the inexorable pull of freedom and economic opportunity. 

In this timely book, award-winning journalist Jorge Ramos makes the case for a practical and politically achievable solution to this poignant issue. Ramos argues that we have a simple to take a pragmatic approach that deals with the reality of immigration, or to continue a cruel and capricious system that doesn’t work, wastes billions of dollars, and which stands in direct opposition to our national principles.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Social Issues

176 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 2009

About the author

Jorge Gilberto Ramos Ávalos is a Mexican-born American journalist and author. Regarded as the best-known Spanish-language news anchor in the United States of America, he has been referred to as "The Walter Cronkite of Latin America".

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brief and informative book advocating for mass immigration reform. Jorge Ramos does not argue for blanket amnesty, but a very wide-scale program that will provide a path to residence and citizenship for law-abiding immigrants. In the Introduction, which I recommend reading, Ramos specifies the common objectives of those opposed to and those in favor of immigration. His book is well-researched and substantiated. It is very accessible/readable, but it is also very repetitive. However, it is repetitive because Ramos believes it imperative to repeat a handful of points essential to his argument. Those radically and unmovingly opposed to the residence of immigrants in the U.S. will not be swayed, because radical people generally aren't. However, this is an interesting read for someone who is undecided about the immigration issue, or in favor of reform. Ramos does not provide all of the answers, he actually provides relatively few suggestions that can be translated to legislation, but his ideas are a good starting point for a discussion about reform.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book in 2009 and just finally got around to reading it. Actually found it heartbreaking to think about where we were on immigration reform in 2008, with the hope of Obama’s presidency in front of us. And where we are today, going backwards. Yet all the reasons that Ramos outlines for why we need immigration reform and why a wall is not the answer are still 100% relevant and true almost ten years later.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro sincero y optimista que argumenta convincentemente que las contribuciones y beneficios de los inmigrantes en los Estados Unidos y los ideales del país requieren una política favorable a la inmigración. Publicado poco después de la elección de Barack Obama como el primer presidente afroamerican de los Estados Unidos, Ramos propone que es el momento indicado para hacer una reforma migratoria; a pesar de los años que han transcurrido, sus propuestas y razones siguen relevantes. En particular, Ramos explora el fenómeno de la inmigración indocumentada y apoya una reforma que permite que los indocumentados puedan salir de las sombras y participen en el futuro del país. Aunque la audiencia principal del libro sea los que ya no han decidido o no favorecen la idea de la nación que propone Ramos, todos pueden aprender de este libro bien documentado y claro.

[oscar reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must bueno

Altamont recomendable! eepecialmente para republicans retrograde! credo QUE Jorge sabe mas de immigration QUE los mismo politicos deveriamos luchar por una america mejor

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wall is not going to work...

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic case of how the context of reading/reception influences the review.

The underlying arguments remain strong, but the optimism has not aged well since 2008.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and basic read on immigration from Mexico to the US. Ramos tends to write the same points multiple times in the book but with the purpose of making you remember.

If you're looking for something really detailed about border control/immigration issues between US and Mexico this book probably isn't, although it's a good starter. I didn't know a lot of facts about John McCain's immigration thoughts vs Obama's. It gets a little into why just deporting "illegals" isn't possible, why a wall won't work, and why immigrants from Mexico make our economy and country better.

For new to intermediate Spanish readers I think it's an easier book than most. The language and word choice isn't complex or difficult to understand.

[Mara · Rating 2 out of 5]

El libro me pareció demasiado repetitivo. Aunque tiene buenas ideas y mucha estadística informativa,
me dio la sensación de que el autor solamente estaba tratando de llenar páginas con la misma information presentada de otras maneras. Tal vez la audiencia que realmente necesita escuchar este mensaje lo necesita escuchar muchas veces hasta que lo recuerde.

[Evelyn Cervantes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breve, informativo y fácil de leer

Aunque las estadísticas, entrevistas, narrativas y números son del pasado (antes de la presidencia de Obama) el argumento principal sigue siendo de valor.

[Liz Pardo]

I wanted to learn more about immigration of Latino Americans and Jorge Ramos being a respected Mexican journalist seemed like a good place to start. While not heavily historical such as Harvest of Empire, it makes good points.

[Zoey Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una de los mejores libros que he leído en mi vida. Me enojo, me entristezco, pero también me da esperanza y inspiración. Y no soy estadounidense!
Creo que TODOS, de todos raíces, y especialmente los estadounidenses, pero TODOS, deberían leer esto.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book overall, very informative. An eye opener as well to current immigration problem we have in the US.

[Noam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very clearly written, easy to understand and in very simple language (I think I looked up two words in the entire book, and I'm often looking up a couple words a page in Spanish books). Incredibly well structured, did the whole "I'm going to tell you XYZ. X. Y. Z. I just told you XYZ." that good teachers, public speakers, etc, are supposed to do.

I'm giving it 3 stars not because it's a mediocre book, but because of my personal taste - it's just not the kind of book I'd curl up with with a cup of tea if it hadn't been for school.

[Alejandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clear, point by point arguments for an open immigration system that benefits the USA.

Analyzes the main arguments pro and con for a comprehensive revamp of the immigration system, looking at historical precedent, values and future needs of a vibrant and powerful nation.

Spells out the thesis that a nation's greatest strengths lie in the values for which it stands, rather than its military, economic force.

Recommend you read and disseminate if you believe that all men and women are created equal.

[Oscar · Rating 1 out of 5]

Profoundly disappointed in the overall content. Ramos portends the downfall of 'white' America, while expounding on the iniquitous ways of the Republican party. One has to wonder, after reading the book, how America ever survived without the virtuous illegal immigrants, most Mexican. In my opinion, this book is a collection of wishful thinking and rhetoric. Ramos is the epitome of the quintessential obsequious Hispanic regarding Obama and the Democratic party.

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book carried an important message about immigration when it was written in 2010 just as the tea party wave of anti-immigration tore the country apart. Unfortunately the xenophobia that the tea party unleashed upon us has only gotten worse with the campaign in 2016 and this book remains as relevant as ever.

[Armando · Rating 4 out of 5]

I asked Jorge Ramos if things would change in the next 10 years and he said "You make the 'change' happen and get back to me in 11 years."