Description
Book SynopsisWhile the United States cherishes its identity as a nation of immigrants, the country's immigration policies are historically characterized by cycles of openness and xenophobia. In this book, the author carefully dissects the political debates over contemporary immigration reform.
Trade Review"Presents complex ideas in an admirably accessible fashion." * Choice *
"These arguments make significant contributions to the growing literature on the role of symbolic politics in immigration policy. Newton’s book would be a stimulating and appropriate text for either upper-division or graduate courses." * Political Science Quarterly *
"An important and fresh contribution to our understanding of the tropes and policies governing race, immigrants, and membership in America. Lina Newton develops a valuable set of theoretical claims and strong evidence to show how official and social constructions of particular groups shape immigration reform and power distributions more generally." -- Daniel J. Tichenor,author of Dividing Lines: The Politics of Immigration Control in America
"Newton neatly overlays policy theories with arguably the most contentious domestic policy issue of our times, namely, how governments equitably and humanely resolve the issues of illegal immigration. As such, she importantly adds to a growing literature that sets out the political, cultural, and economic complexities of these debates." -- Peter deLeon,author of Democracy and the Policy Sciences
"This superb study of immigration politics marks an important step forward.
Illegal, Alien, or Immigrant is an exemplary study of political discourse that shines a much-needed light on the divisive rhetoric that surrounds U.S. immigration policy today." -- Joe Soss,author of Unwanted Claims: The Politics of Participation in the U.S. Welfare System
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments A Note on Terminology Introduction: Th e Power of a Good Story 1 Considering Unlikely Outcomes: The Peculiar Politics of Immigration 2 Cases, Contexts, and the Puzzle of Policy Change 3 Contesting Illegalities: The 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act 4 Immigrants versus Taxpayers: The 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act 5 Problem Mexicans: Race, Nationalism, and Their Limits in Contemporary Immigration Policy Conclusion: Power and Image in Immigration Policymaking Epilogue Notes References Index About the Author
