Border Watch: Cultures of Immigration, Detention and Control (Anthropology, Culture and Society)

Questions over immigration and asylum face almost all Western countries. Should only economically useful immigrants be allowed? What should be done with unwanted or 'illegal' immigrants? In this bold intervention, Alexandra Hall shows that immigration detention centres offer a window onto society's broader attitudes towards immigrants. Despite periodic media scandals, remarkably little has been written about the everyday workings of this system, or about the people responsible for setting immigration policy. Detention, particularly, is a hidden side of border politics, despite its growing international importance as a tool of control and security. This book also looks at the social life and the relationships between officers and immigrants to explore broad social trends, as well as resistance within the system, and provides rare insights into the treatment of the 'other'. Questions Over Immigration And Asylum Face Almost All Western Countries. Should Only Economically Useful Immigrants Be Allowed? What Should Be Done With Unwanted Or 'illegal' Immigrants? In This Bold And Original Intervention, Alexandra Hall Shows That Immigration Detention Centres Offer A Window Onto Society's Broader Attitudes Towards Immigrants. Despite Periodic Media Scandals, Remarkably Little Has Been Written About The Everyday Workings Of The Grassroots Immigration System, Or About The People Charged With Enacting Immigration Policy At Local Levels. Detention, Particularly, Is A Hidden Side Of Border Politics, Despite Its Growing International Importance As A Tool Of Control And Security. This Book Fills The Gap Admirably, Analysing The Everyday Encounters Between Officers And Immigrants In Detention To Explore Broad Social Trends And Theoretical Concerns. Introduction: Going Inside -- Visual Practice And The Secure Regime -- Being There: Social Life In The Centre -- Compliance And Defiance: Contesting The Regime -- Drawing The Line: Discretion And Power -- Ethics And Encounters -- Conclusion. Alexandra Hall. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 173-194) And Index. Du site de l'éditeur.: Questions over immigration and asylum face almost all Western countries. Should only economically useful immigrants be allowed? What should be done with unwanted or 'illegal' immigrants? In this bold and original intervention, Alexandra Hall shows that immigration detention centres offer a window onto society's broader attitudes towards immigrants. Despite periodic media scandals, remarkably little has been written about the everyday workings of the grassroots immigration system, or about the people charged with enacting immigration policy at local levels. Detention, particularly, is a hidden side of border politics, despite its growing international importance as a tool of control and security. This book fills the gap admirably, analysing the everyday encounters between officers and immigrants in detention to explore broad social trends and theoretical concerns. This highly topical book provides rare insights into the treatment of the 'other' and will be essential for policy makers and students studying anthropology and sociology Questions over immigration and asylum face almost all Western countries. Should only economically useful immigrants be allowed? What should be done with unwanted or "illegal" immigrants? In this bold and original intervention, Alexandra Hall shows that immigration detention centers offer a window onto society's broader attitudes towards immigrants. Despite periodic media scandals, remarkably little has been written about the everyday workings of the grassroots immigration system, or about the people charged with enacting immigration policy at local levels. Detention, particularly, is a hidden side of border politics, despite its growing international importance as a tool of control and security. This book fills the gap admirably, analyzing the everyday encounters between officers and immigrants in detention to explore broad social trends and theoretical concerns. This highly topical book provides rare insights into the treatment of the "other" and will be essential for policy makers and students studying anthropology and sociology. Cover Half Title Series Title Title Copyright Contents Series Preface Acknowledgements 1. Introduction: Going Inside 2. Visual Practice and the Secure Regime 3. Being There: Social Life in the Centre 4. Compliance and Defiance: Contesting the Regime 5. Drawing the Line: Discretion and Power 6. Ethics and Encounters Conclusion Notes References Index All Western countries face questions over immigration and asylum. Should immigration be limited to 'economically useful' migrants? What should be done with unwanted or 'illegal' immigrants? In this bold and original book, Alexandra Hall shows that immigration detention centres offer a window onto broader social attitudes towards immigrants