A nation of immigrants /

"The United States is in the midst of its fourth major period of immigration. Today's is the largest in absolute numbers, although not as a proportion of the total population. Unlike in previous times, today's immigrants come from every inhabited continent and represent just about eve...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Martin, Susan F. (Susan Forbes) (Author)
Published: Cambridge University Press,
Publisher Address: Cambridge, United Kingdom :
Publication Dates: 2021.
Literature type: Book
Language: English
Edition: Second edition.
Subjects:
Summary: "The United States is in the midst of its fourth major period of immigration. Today's is the largest in absolute numbers, although not as a proportion of the total population. Unlike in previous times, today's immigrants come from every inhabited continent and represent just about every country in the United Nations. As in previous periods of large-scale immigration, there is a profound ambivalence about the phenomenon among the American public. Historically, Americans have seen their own immigrant forebears through rose-colored glasses while raising serious concerns about the contributions of current immigrants and the extent to which they will assimilate our values, language, and experiences. This ambivalence has made immigration policy one of the most difficult on the U.S. political agenda. In the recent past, the Senate and House of Representatives have debated immigration reform but have failed to come to consensus about the policies needed to address today's challenges. The difficulties they are experiencing are by no means new. Immigration reform has always been a difficult issue, requiring years of debate before any comprehensive changes are adopted. Although the problem is often described as a contest between pro- and anti-immigration forces, the reality is much more complex. Even among those who favor large-scale immigration, there are profound differences in views on the purposes of immigration and the contributions that immigrants bring to the country. Understanding the historical roots of American immigration, and American attitudes toward immigrants, helps to place today's policy debates into perspective and provides important insights into the reforms needed to address current problems and opportunities"--
Carrier Form: viii, 423 pages : 1 illustration ; 23 cm
Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references (pages 385-415) and index.
ISBN: 9781108830287
1108830285
9781108820592
110882059X
Index Number: JV6483
CLC: D771.238
Call Number: D771.238/M383/2nd ed.
Contents: 1. Introduction -- 2. "Gentlemen, tradesmen, serving-men, libertines" -- 3. "A city upon a hill" -- 4. "The seed of a nation" -- 5. Immigration and the formation of the republic -- 6. Building a nation: 1830-1880 -- 7. The golden door: 1880-1917 -- 8. The triumph of restrictionism: 1882-1924 -- 9. Turning inward: 1924-1964 -- 10. "A nation of immigrants": 1965-1994 -- 11. A nation of refuge -- 12. The Pennsylvania model at risk: 1993-2009 -- 13. Executive action and immigration -- 14. Looking ahead.