Immigrants and the American City. A Twentieth Century Fund Book

American immigrants are often considered symbols of hope and promise. Presidential candidates point to their immigrant roots, Ellis Island is celebrated as a national monument, and the melting pot remains a popular, if somewhat tarnished, American analogy. At the same time, images of impoverished Mexicans swarming across the Mexican-American border and boatloads of desperate Haitian and Cuban refugees depict America as a nation under siege. While governments and business interests generally welcome aliens for the economic benefits they generate, the success of these groups paradoxically stirs distrust and envy, leading to discrimination, oppression, and, in some cases, eviction. Surveying the political and economic history of American immigration, Thomas Muller compellingly argues that the clamor at America's gate should be a cause of pride, not anxiety; a sign of vigor, not an omen of decline. Illustrating that recent waves of immigration have facilitated urban renewal, Muller emphasizes the many ways in which aliens have lessened our cities' social problems rather than contributing to them. Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and San Francisco, traditional gateways to other continents, have all benefited from the contributions of immigrants. To assess perceived and actual costs of absorbing the new immigrants, Muller examines their impact on city income, housing, minority jobs, public services, and wages. But Muller argues that noneconomic concerns (such as recent attempts to formalize English as the country's official language) frequently mirror deeply-rooted fears that could explain the cyclical pattern of American attitudes toward immigrants over the last three centuries. The nation, he contends, may again be turning inward, initiating a period of growing hostility toward the foreign-born. Nonetheless, higher entry levels for skilled immigrants would improve the technological standing of the U.S., increase the standard of living for the middle class, and facilitate the resurgence of our inner cities. American Immigrants Are Often Considered Symbols Of Hope And Promise. Presidential Candidates Point To Their Immigrant Roots, Ellis Island Is Celebrated As A National Monument, And The Melting Pot Remains A Popular, If Somewhat Tarnished, American Analogy. At The Same Time, Images Of Impoverished Mexicans Swarming Across The Mexican-american Border And Boat-loads Of Desperate Haitian And Urban Refugees Depict America As A Nation Under Siege. While Governments And Business Interests Generally Welcome Aliens For The Economic Benefits The Generate, The Success Of These Groups Paradoxically Stirs Distrust And Envy Leading To Discrimination, Oppression, And, In Some Cases, Deportation. Surveying The Political And Economic History Of American Immigration, Thomas Muller Compellingly Argues That The Clamor At America's Gate Should Be A Cause Of Pride, Not Anxiety; A Sign Of Vigor, Not An Omen Of Decline.^ Illustrating That Recent Waves Of Immigration Have Facilitated Urban Renewal, Muller Emphasizes The Many Ways In Which Aliens Have Lessened Our Cities' Social Problems Rather Than Contributing To Them. Los Angeles, New York, Miami, And San Francisco, Traditional Gateways To Other Continents, Have All Benefited From The Contributions Of Immigrants. To Assess Perceived And Actual Costs Of Absorbing The New Immigrants, Muller Examines Their Impact On City Income, Housing, Minority Jobs, Public Services, And Wages. But Muller Argues That Noneconomic Concerns (such As Recent Attempts To Formalize English As The Country's Official Language) Frequently Mirror Deeply Rooted Fears That Could Explain The Cyclical Pattern Of American Attitudes Toward Immigrants Over The Last Three Centuries. The Nation, He Contends, May Again Be Turning Inward, Initiating A Period Of Growing Hostility Toward The Foreign-born.^ Nonetheless, Higher Entry Levels For Skilled Immigrants Would Improve The Technological Standing Of The U.s. Increase The Standard Of Living For The Middle Class, And Facilitate The Resurgence Of Our Inner Cities. Introduction -- The Unending Debate -- Immigrants And The Prosperity Of Cities -- The Immigrant Contribution To The Revitalization Of Cities -- The Price Of Immigration --social And Political Stability -- More Immigration: An Economic Windfall? -- Immigrants And America's Future. Thomas Muller. A Twentieth Century Fund Book. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 325-348) And Index. The latest immigration surge, which began in the 1960s, has facilitated urban renewal by strengthening small businesses, providing low-wage labor, and maintaining the population base needed to sustain a high level of economic activity. In spite of the contributions of immigrants, American central cities continue to face serious economic disruptions and problems. This examination of the new immigration argues that the benefits of immigration will come to outweigh the costs. In the examination of the entire immigrant question, the author touches on a number of issues related to education, beginning with the educational backgrounds of different ethnic and national-origin groups. Implications of the new immigrant worker for occupational education and for adult education and training are discussed. Particular attention is paid to the controversy surrounding bilingual education, and the problems faced in trying to educate a diverse population of children are briefly reviewed. School districts face a multitude of problems in trying to accommodate an increasingly diverse, and frequently low-income population, without an accompanying increase in economic support. Education is a vital factor in assuring that immigrants bring to America today the many benefits they have brought in the past. (SLD) This work suggests that while immigration made a vital contribution to the economic and social vitality of America's "gateway" cities, immigration restriction, coupled with middle-class flight to the suburbs, contributed to the rapid deterioration of those same centres.