Myth and Reality in the U. S. Immigration Debate: The Myths and Realities of Immigration in the United States

"What part of illegal don’t you understand?" This oft-repeated slogan from immigration restrictionists illustrates the contentious quality of the immigration reform debate in the United States: a debate that has raged on unresolved since at least 1986 when our immigration system was last reformed. This impasse is due, in large part, to widespread misinformation about immigration. This short and accessible textbook takes a critical perspective on immigration law and policy, arguing that immigrant "illegality" is itself produced by law, with tremendous consequences for individuals and families. Across six chapters that examine the conceptual, historical, economic, global, legal, and racial dimensions of immigration to the United States, Prieto argues that illegal immigration is a problem of policy, not people. History and cutting-edge social science data guide an analysis of the actual, empirical impact of immigration on U.S. society. By debunking myths about immigration, the reader is invited to form their own opinion on the basis of fact and in light of the unequal treatment different immigrant groups have received since the nation’s founding. __Myth and Reality in the U.S. Immigration Debate__ synthesizes key lessons from the fields of sociology, law and society, history, economics and critical race studies in a digestible and engaging format. This text will serve as an introduction to the study of immigration and a primer for those who wish to engage in a sober and compassionate conversation about immigrants and immigration in the United States. Cover Half Title Series Page Book Title Copyright Page Contents Acknowledgements Timeline Additional timeline sources Chapter 1: Introduction: The Legal Production of Immigrant "Illegality" Introduction The Hose in the River Discussion Questions Notes Further Reading Resources Chapter 2: A Brief History of Immigration Law and Policy Introduction Laissez Faire (1780-1875) Qualitative Restrictions (1875-1921) Quantitative Restrictions (1921-1964) Liberalizing Immigration Policy: The Hart-Celler Act of 1965 The Return of Restriction (1990s-present) Discussion Questions Notes Further Reading Resources Chapter 3: Job Takers, Criminals, Fiscal Drains: Fact vs. Fiction in the Immigration Debate Introduction Labor Market Effects Crime Fiscal Impacts Discussion Questions Notes Further Reading Chapter 4: Harvest of Empire: Globalization and Immigration Introduction Why Does Immigration Occur? North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and Mexican Migration to the United States Discussion Questions Notes Further Reading Resources Chapter 5: "Get in Line": The Legal Immigration Queue and the Inequity of Equal Treatment Introduction The U.S. Visa System Sameness of Treatment: How Formal Equality Produces Substantive Inequality Alternative Frameworks Discussion Questions Notes Further Reading Resources Chapter 6: Conclusion: Race, Immigration, and the Moral Case for Reform Introduction Understanding Attitudes Toward Immigrants Migration and Morality Discussion Questions Notes Further Reading Resources Glossary Notes References Index ""What part of illegal don't you understand?" This oft-repeated slogan from immigration restrictionists reveals the highly contentious quality of immigration reform. American immigration policies have not experience a comprehensive overhall since 1986, as debates continue into another election cycle.? This textbook takes a critical perspective on how current immigration? laws have been formulated. Central insights from the rich immigration literature and from law and society scholars show how "illegality" is itself produced by law, a status with challenging consequences for individuals and families. Various periods of liberalization and restriction in U.S. history demonstrate that politics shape law and, consequently, whether and how immigrants can come to the U.S. and what opportunities are made available to them once they arrive. This insight is crucial to the current debate because it returns the decision about our collective treatment of immigrants to the realm of politics and society. Here we can reconsider the efficacy and humanity of current immigration law. The Immigration Debate offers this and other critical insights to students who may be unfamiliar with analyses of immigration developed in the fields of sociology, law and society, economics, geography, ethnic studies, and critical race studies. This text will serve as an introduction to the study of immigration and a primer for those who wish to engage in a sober and compassionate conversation about immigration."--Provided by publisher