Illegal Immigration: A Reference Handbook

by Michael C. LeMay

Overview

A valuable resource for high school, college, and general readers, this book provides an up-to-date, comprehensive examination of illegal immigration in America, addressing its complex history, comparing its occurrence today with the past, and explaining why a solution is so difficult to enact.

Who is coming into the United States illegally and why? What compels people to leave their country of origin? Is the United States responsible for taking care of the more than 11 million individuals who are here illegally? Are illegal immigrants helping or harming our nation's economy and infrastructure? Should our borders be "secured" as called for by many politicians? This book examines the history of illegal immigration in the United States, addressing the tough questions about the issue and describing in detail the most significant issues and events in recent decades. It succinctly tackles the topic of illegal immigration without bias, explores the myriad of problems and controversies that have arisen due to illegal immigration, and explains how lawmakers have historically tried—and continue to try—to solve these issues.

This thoroughly revised and updated second edition ofIllegal Immigration: A Reference Handbook covers the debate over the vexing and seemingly intractable illegal immigration problem from all angles and updates the discussion to 2015. It covers the key court, executive, and legislative-branch actions on the matter and examines both state and national-level government attempts to cope with illegal immigration. The book also contains a variety of primary source documents in summary format that cover all the key laws enacted, presidential or state governor's executive actions taken, and key court decisions since 1985. These documents not only provide factual data but also give context that allows readers to better grasp the complexity of the problem and the difficulty in trying to improve the situation through regulation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440840128
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/22/2015
Series:	Contemporary World Issues
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Michael C. LeMay, PhD, is professor emeritus of political science at California State University-San Bernardino (CSUSB), CA.

Table of Contents

Preface,
1 Background and History,
Introduction: The Scope and Nature of Unauthorized Immigration,
The Roots of the Problem,
Changes in Legal Immigration: Setting the Stage for Illegal Immigration,
The Crisis of Border Control: Illegal Immigration and Enactment of IRCA,
Border Security and Antiterrorism Concerns,
Creating the Department of Homeland Security: Dissolving the INS,
Conclusion,
References,
2 Problems, Controversies, and Solutions,
Introduction,
Current Domestic-Policy Concern: Amnesty or Earned Legalization Issue of the Unauthorized,
Incorporation of Illegal Immigrants and Their Children,
Border Control and Management Issues,
The Cost of Illegal Immigration,
Guest-Worker Issues,
Restructuring the INS into the DHS,
Immigration and Related Policy Issues,
Solutions,
References,
3 Perspectives,
Introduction,
On Hospitality to the Stranger: Some Moral Implications of Immigration Reform: The Rev. Canon Pablo Ramos,
Examining the Adequacy and Enforcement of U.S. Immigration Laws: Jessica Vaughan,
Should the United States Enact Tougher Laws to Stem Illegal Immigration?: Karen K. Clark,
In Opposition to Birthright Citizenship: Judith Ann Warner,
In Support of Maintaining Birthright Citizenship: Judith Ann Warner,
Mitigating Federal Immigration Law: Inclusion at the Local Level: Roberto Suro,
Obama's "Executive Action" on Immigration and Judicial Review: Alemayehu G. Mariam,
Resolving the Issue of Illegal Immigration—A Question of Balance: David E. Krahl,
4 Profiles,
Introduction,
Biographies,
Directory of Organizations and Agencies,
National Government Agencies and Organizations,
International Organizations,
Domestic Advocacy Agencies and Organizations/NGOs and Nonprofits,
Immigration Research Centers and Think Tanks,
References,
5 Data and Documents,
Introduction,
Data,
Table 5.1: Comparison of Legal and Illegal Immigration Trends over Time,
Table 5.2: Estimated Unauthorized Mexican-Born Immigrant Population Compared to All Unauthorized Immigrants, Assorted Years, 1995–2012,
Table 5.3: Estimated Unauthorized Immigrants in the U.S. Labor Force, Assorted Years, 1995–2012,
Table 5.4: Unaccompanied Alien Children Encountered, by Fiscal Year, Country of Origin, 2009–2014,
Table 5.5: Trends in Removals, 2011–2013,
Table 5.6: Gallup Poll Trend Line, "Do You Think Immigration Is a Good Thing or a Bad Thing for the U.S. Today?," 2001–2014,
Table 5.7: Gallup Poll Trend Line, 2001–2014, "Should Immigration Be Kept at Its Present Level, Increased, or Decreased?,"
Table 5.8a: Gallup Poll Trend Line, 2006–2014, "What Should Be the Main Focus of U.S. Government in Dealing with Illegal Immigration?,"
Table 5.8b: Gallup Poll Trend Line, 2006–2011, "What Should U.S. Policy Be Toward Illegal Immigrants Residing in the United States?,"
Figure 5.1: U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, Sector Map, 2013,
Figure 5.2: Department of Homeland Security Organizational Chart,
Documents,
Executive Summary Recommendations of the Select Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy, 1981,
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986,
Summaries of Laws on Immigration,
References,
6 Resources,
Introduction,
Selected Print Resources,
Books,
Leading Scholarly Jourbanals,
Reports and Government Documents,
Nonprint Resources,
7 Chronology,
Precursor Legislation: Setting the Stage for Things to Come,
The Revolving-Door Era, 1965–2000,
The Storm-Door Era: 2001–?,
References,
Glossary,
Index,
About the Author,