Immigration Policy and Immigrant Politics



Group Discussion Issues to consider re: Immigration Policy

1. What is the common ideology shaping the public’s views of immigration (& much immigration policy) – esp. “Intransigent Nativism” and “Forced Assimilation” – and how does that compare with “”Selective Acculturation” and the Reality of the Political-Economy of Immigration (esp. labor markets historical roots, social networks, etc.), and what problems does this class cause? What do Portes & Rumbaut recommend for US Immigration Policy & why (for 1st generation & 2nd generation)? (P& R ch. 10)

2. What are key parts of current immigration legislation being considered, by states & federal govt., (3 short web rdgs on Federal immgn. proposals, and how do they compare with each other and with P&R suggestions?

3. What are impact of raids on immigrant communities in interior US? How might this work if applied on large scale as solution to illegal immigration? What to do about US citizen children of illegal immigrants? Who challenges raids and assists in aftermath? What are economic impacts of raids? What are unions doing? (WaPo et al. web rdg.)

4. What is Maryland’s new law for unauthorized immigrants and access to higher ed., guidelines? What is federal Dream Act for unauthorized immigrant young people? What are requirements and how many are likely to benefit? (De Vise et al web rdg.)

5.What is the Arizona’s SB 1070 for immigration enforcement law—key provisions, possible dangers, etc.? How might age and ethnic differences explain some of support for it in AZ (Morse et al. web rdg.) What are Utah’s new immigration laws -- key provisions, possible dangers, etc.? Where was support for this approach? How does it compare to AZ’s new law? How do these fit with P&R’s analysis of US immgraiton policy?

6. Dunn (Ch 7& epilogue) --Which perspective on rights has prevailed in the El Paso border enforcement case, & how so (example, cases)? What rights abuses outside El Paso area in border enforcement have occurred– i.e., what’s going on elsewhere on border? What is “Border enforcement fetishism”? Why does Dunn think the heavy focus on border enforcement as the solution to immigration problems is likely to fail? What has been happening with use of local police and military for immigration enforcement in last several years? How much has Border Patrol been expanded? How significant is the threat of terrorists crossing US-Mexico border illegally to enter US? What would be some measures to reduce that threat?

7. (Dunn-Ch. 7) -- What does Dunn suggest for policy changes and why, esp. re: addressing “push conditions” in sending countries and “pull conditions” in US? What has been the impact of NAFTA? What is the EU approach as an alternative? What does Dunn suggest for reforms on US side of border re: labor? How do these compare to P&R suggestions?

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