Immigration Policy Lecture Outline
Group Discussion Issues / Questions to consider:
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 immigration 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?
Lecture (& most Group Discussion Points)
Showed Video “Immigration on Main Street – 2 contrasting NJ towns approach to immgn.
Key concepts among Public regarding Immigration Policy (ala P&R, Ch. 10)
Ideology :
1. Intransigent Nativism (P& R ch. 10) --1 of NJ cases linked to this
2. Forced Assimilation
vs. Selective Acculturation (P& R ch. 10) – 1 of NJ cases more linked to selective acculturation
Vs. Reality Underneath (political economy of immigration):
1. Changing US Labor Market – Hour-Glass Economy and Labor demand
2. Historical roots of Today’s Labor System & Social, Economic Intl. ties between US and sending countries (Mexico, Central America, Vietnam, Korea, Philippines, and now China and India, etc.)
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Policy– Failed approach in federal policy in 2006-07. 3 Main elements (Mass legalization, Temp. worker visas, more enforcement esp. at border) (Dunn epilogue also discusses)
Fed. failure in this is why communities (like in NJ) and states are talking up immigration policy locally.
Arizona SB 1070 law (example of Intransigent Nativism approach) – Requirement for state & lcaol law enforcement to check immigration status of people stopped or detained if the officer has “reasonable suspicion” – difficulties in defining latter & racial profiling concerns. (Morse et al. web rdg.)
Utah 3 new immigration laws (example of “Reality Underneath” / labor market approach to immigration policy) – 2 new laws for legalization (work permits) for unauthorized immigrants already here and visas guest worker program for future immigrant workers (& watered down AZ.-type enforcement law). Rooted in recognition of contribution of immigrant labor & work ethic , family unification, & recruitment desires of Mormon church.
Push Conditions underlying immigration, & policies needed to address them – North American Free trade Agreement (NAFTA) as neo-liberal (as in Adam Smith grandfather of Free trade economics, not politically liberal) economic policy approach that heightens push conditions by increasing corporate profits at expense of small farmers and urban working class 9& even many in middle class), and the latter groups become labor migrants to US more often. Need to address this and modify to have any effect on immigration. Border enforcement alone will not make much impact, “border enforcement fetishism” approach. (Dunn ch. 7 mainly, & P&R ch. 10 a little also)
· Showed scene from video “The Other Side of Immigration” on push conditions & NAFTA role in those, and need for alternatives, such as “fair trade” not just “free trade”
EU model (infrastructure & social investment) as an alternative way to address push conditions (Dunn, ch. 7 briefly)
Pull Conditions underlying immigration & policies needed to address them – Changing US labor market, the hourglass economy (very consistent with split labor market theory) & demand for immigrant workers (P&R Ch 10 & a little in Dunn ch. 7). Policy ideas – increase labor organizing and recognition, increase wage and safety enforcement, grant more visas for guest worker program for future workers, legalize the 11-12 MN unauthorized immigrants here already here and working (Dunn ch. 7 mainly, and a little in P&R ch. 10)
· Showed Scene from video “800 mile wall” on Canada’s temporary guest worker program in agriculture and how it runs and workers feel as though they have rights.
Mixed Status Households & Families & what happens when deport undocumented / illegal member (WaPo et al web rdg)
Impact of raids on immigrant communities. Economic costs of mass deportation in AZ case. What to do about US citizen children of illegal immigrants? Who assists them after raid? Flaws of “Anchor Baby” concern. (WaPo et al web rdg.)
Example of Intransigent Nativism approach (ala P&R ch. 10)
MD in-state tuition proposal for unauthorized immigrants (De vise et al web rdg.), what it is.
Example of Changing US Labor Market approach (P&R ch. 10) to immigration policy -- & need to educate future workers so be more productive.
Reactive Ethnicity Mobilization & Immigration Policy & Future of immigration policy?– Example of Cal. prop. 187 in mid1990s and 2006-07 mass immigraiton protests (in response to Sensenbrenner-King bill, very nativist (P&R Ch. 10)
Hint’s for cumulative part of final exam (Need to know basic info in at least general big idea terms, not all level of detail on them)
1. Theories / Explanations of Immigration (1st test unit) Immigration is not based just on individual-focused cost-benefit calculation view, but broader social structural context importance. Very relevant for immigration policy topic.
2. Language & Education (2nd test unit). -- 3 generation language learning cycle & benefits of fluent bilingualism. Very relevant for Immigrant families topic as well as for Social services, and policy somewhat.
3. Immigrants and Crime (2nd test unit)-- basic info on topic. relevant for policy, families and releigon topics
Other Issues to be familiar with but not lectured on:
Portes & Rumbaut -- Policies For 1st generation – Guest worker program, & for undoc. pop. already here, & ideas for Mexican govt,. policy for families of immigrants…
P&R suggestions for 2nd Generation (kids of immgs.) to promote Selective Acculturation.
Terrorism threat at border and how to handle (make haystack smaller…) (Dunn ch.7)
Border Human Rights abuse trends over time and border wide; Border deaths totals & policy alternatives–policy suggestions re: visas, legalization of undocumented, labor law enforcement & unions, development policy in Central America and Mexico (DunnCh. 7)
Border Enforcement trends most recently (Dunn Epilogue)