Rights Immigrants, and Debates



Immigrant Politics and Rights Debates Lecture Outline

Immigrant Politics ( become Ethnic Politics (Immigrants become ethnic groups, esp. 2nd generation onward)– Immigrants as political actors, focus changes over generations from transnational (home country) to Domestic (US). Key idea is backlash to the backlash (as part of “reactive ethnicity”).

Reactive Ethnicity (or “reactive formation” ethnicity) (P&R, ch 5) Frequent & common hostility to immigrants promotes solidarity & group identity among immigrants (by country of origin)& examples in earlier immigrant history – Irish, Italians, etc.. Recent history, 2006 protest marches as examples.

Generational Differences in Political Orientation (1st Gen. vs. 2nd gen. & later -- Focus Country of origin vs. focus on US)

Resilient Ethnicity (P&R, ch. 5)

Rights Overview (perspectives on Immigrant Rights) ()Dunn web rdg.)

Nationalistic-Citizenship view Vs. Human Rights Perspective – in general & issue of conditionality of rights, where national sovereignty fits in, immigrants rights as a threat or not, civil rights vs. human rights, nation-state power vs. rights (even for citizens), among other key points, (Dunn web rdg., & examples from Balz et al. web rdg. and Miller Ch 10); & US Govt. very high refusal rates for Guatemalan and Salvadoran Political Asylum applicants fleeing persecution by US allies in region, &ABC lawsuit to challenge (Jonas and Rodriguez, ch. 3)

In post 9-11 era, even US citizens from some backgrounds (suchn as?) and fields of study are more heavily scrutinized at border by border officials where rights are limited (even for citizens), for security reasons but often with little to no basis. (Miller Ch. 10)

Also even some US citizens detained and deported by ICE, as deportation has increased massively in recent years (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) (Miller Ch. 10)

2006 Immigrant Marches & More recent ‘Dreamer” protests (Balz et al. web rdg.) & Reactive Ethnicity (P&R Ch 5) & mixing generational 1st & 2nd gens (not just 2nd gen focus on US policy, as P&R would expect)

Increasing Hispanic Vote in key states, esp. in Southwest and west, changing US politics (P&R Ch. 5)

2 Key examples of Resilient Ethnicity / Reactive Formation of Ethnicity [Backlash to the Backlash]

1,. Mexican American civil rights movement 1960s -1970s, & 1990s reaction to Proposition in 187 in California – cut off all social services (except emergency medical) to undocumented immigrants, including education. Force service providers to report to INS suspected undoc. / illegal immigs. Aimed at Hispanic immigs…. (P&R ch. 5)

2. Cuban American mobilization in Miami, & relationship to anti-immigrant measures there in 1980s. (P&R ch. 5)

Organizing for immigrant Rights—Guatemalan case (Jonas & Rodriguez, Ch. 3)

“Political generation” of 1980s Guate. immigrants gradually turned from Guatemalan politics to US immigrant rights politics in mid 90s onward. [This is much as P&R predict in shift to US focus over time, P&R Ch. 5]

Transnational / Transregional Migrant advocacy networks – activists, scholars, migrant aid groups, immigrant activists in Guatemala, Mexico & US work together to change policies in 3 countries to help immigrants.

Transnationalism & Dual Nationality / Dual Citizenship & link to naturalization and Activism & Assimilation in US. Transnationalism mainly a 1st gen. focus. (P&R, ch. 5)

Naturalization (define) & 3 key factors influencing whether immigrants will naturalize (P&R, ch. 5)

Other things not covered in class but should know for exam:

Transnationalism / Transnational Communities (defined and a few examples Mexican and Chinese, & key role of govts. to guide & control it) (P&R, ch 5)

Comparison of German American and Mexican American experience and pressure to assimilate & different outcomes (reactive ethnicity or assimilation, and why) (P&R ch. 5)

Pan-ethnic movements / Emergent Ethnicities (Asian American & Hispanic / Latino) growing out of poltical necessity. Prospects for their mergence in future as 2nd and 3rd generations emerge? (P&R, ch 5)

Group Discussion Issues to consider also list key issues from reading

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