American immigrants are often considered symbols of hope and
promise. Presidential candidates point to their immigrant roots,
Ellis Island is celebrated as a national monument, and the melting
pot remains a popular, if somewhat tarnished, American analogy. At
the same time, images of impoverished Mexicans swarming across the
Mexican-American border and boatloads of desperate Haitian and
Cuban refugees depict America as a nation under siege. While
governments and business interests generally welcome aliens for the
economic benefits they generate, the success of these groups
paradoxically stirs distrust and envy, leading to discrimination,
oppression, and, in some cases, eviction.
Surveying the political and economic history of American
immigration, Thomas Muller compellingly argues that the clamor at
America's gate should be a cause of pride, not anxiety; a sign of
vigor, not an omen of decline. Illustrating that recent waves of
immigration have facilitated urban renewal, Muller emphasizes the
many ways in which aliens have lessened our cities' social problems
rather than contributing to them. Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and
San Francisco, traditional gateways to other continents, have all
benefited from the contributions of immigrants.
To assess perceived and actual costs of absorbing the new
immigrants, Muller examines their impact on city income, housing,
minority jobs, public services, and wages. But Muller argues that
noneconomic concerns (such as recent attempts to formalize English
as the country's official language) frequently mirror deeply-rooted
fears that could explain the cyclical pattern of American attitudes
toward immigrants over the last three centuries. The nation, he
contends, may again be turning inward, initiating a period of
growing hostility toward the foreign-born. Nonetheless, higher
entry levels for skilled immigrants would improve the technological
standing of the U.S., increase the standard of living for the
middle class, and facilitate the resurgence of our inner
cities.
General
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