Immigration & Immigration Reform in the United States: An Outsider's View
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Randall Hansen
This article examines the immigration issue in the United States in a comparative and (to a lesser degree) historical context. It begins by stepping back and examining broader immigration patterns, first to the United States and then to Canada and select European countries. It then moves on to the issue of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S., their numbers, motivations for travelling to the United States, past efforts to address unauthorized immigration, and developments since the onset of the 2008-present recession. Finally, the article concludes by reflecting on the possibilities, and limitations, surrounding President Obama's – indeed, any president's – attempts to end unauthorized immigration to the U.S. and to bring some closure to the debate about what to do with those already there. It makes a qualified case, given how unappealing the alternative is, for legalization and a temporary workers program.
©2011 Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Introduction
- The Politics of Immigration Reform
- Article
- Navigating an American Minefield: The Politics of Illegal Immigration
- Immigration Reform: Strategies for Legislative Action
- Immigration & Immigration Reform in the United States: An Outsider's View
- Taking Immigration Federalism Seriously
- Why "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" Is Not Comprehensive
- Defining the Circle of We: American Identity and Immigration Policy
- Immigration, Diversity, and Welfare Chauvinism
- Making Change: A Six-Month Review
- Do the Strategists Know Something We Don't Know? Campaign Decisions in American Elections
- Review
- Review of Reflections on the Revolution in Europe: Immigration, Islam, and the West
- Review of America and Its Critics: Virtues and Vices of the Democratic Hyperpower
- A Rebuttal to O'Connor
Articles in the same Issue
- Introduction
- The Politics of Immigration Reform
- Article
- Navigating an American Minefield: The Politics of Illegal Immigration
- Immigration Reform: Strategies for Legislative Action
- Immigration & Immigration Reform in the United States: An Outsider's View
- Taking Immigration Federalism Seriously
- Why "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" Is Not Comprehensive
- Defining the Circle of We: American Identity and Immigration Policy
- Immigration, Diversity, and Welfare Chauvinism
- Making Change: A Six-Month Review
- Do the Strategists Know Something We Don't Know? Campaign Decisions in American Elections
- Review
- Review of Reflections on the Revolution in Europe: Immigration, Islam, and the West
- Review of America and Its Critics: Virtues and Vices of the Democratic Hyperpower
- A Rebuttal to O'Connor
