"Despite the appealing image of the Statue of Liberty welcoming immigrants to the shores of the U.S., the actual history of immigration is far more complex and fraught with contradictions. Four years before the statue was dedicated, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. West offers a historical overview of immigration policy, legislation, border patrols, quotas, and other restrictions on immigrants as the nation has needed labor infusion or fretted over the loss of jobs and national security. The 9/11 terrorist attacks ratcheted up worries about immigration, and Arizona’s tough immigration law accents heightened concerns about the nation’s borders. West draws on opinion surveys, analysis of media coverage, and research on legislative actions to analyze how we have come to the present expensive and highly bureaucratic process of legal immigration and the emotionally charged and explosive issues surrounding undocumented workers. He also highlights the contributions of immigrants€"the “brain gain” in commerce, technology, culture, arts, and education€"that should be taken into account when considering immigration policy." (Booklist Reviews) Check Our Catalog
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