America today is witnessing the largest and most sustained wave of immigrants its borders have ever seen. Although factors like the Great Depression, World War II, and quota restrictions had slowed the massive influx of Europeans from the early part of the 20th century, policies like the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act have relaxed quotas and opened America's doors to hundreds of thousands of immigrants a year, from both Eastern and Western hemispheres, to reach a height of over 9 million immigrants in the 1990s. Today, immigrants and policy-makers alike grapple with issues regarding employment, education, refugee status, and family reunification; as well as illegal immigrants-many from Mexico, whose legal immigration alone accounts for more than 20% of immigrants in the US. Despite this, this comprehensive reference source allows a glimpse of the same motivating factors that drove earlier immigrants through Ellis Island's gates-the promise of economic opportunity and the hope of a better life. Over 70 A-Z entries address topical and timely aspects of modern US immigration, including: ; bilingual education ; domestic work ; employer sanctions ; gangs ; gender ; homeland security ; migrant education ; posttraumatic stress disorder ; stereotypes

Transboundary Policy Challenges in the Pacific Border Regions of North America responds to a growing interest in borderlands environmental policy by highlighting significant transboundary research and practices being undertaken within and across the Pacific border regions of North America. The issues explored here reveal how intricate and interrelated social, economic, and environmental concerns have become, particularly along borders, as Canada, Mexico, and the United States collectively search for sustainable solutions. Growing concern about the seriousness of environmental problems, particularly in high-growth border areas, coupled with the rising awareness of the complexities entailed in wise development decisions, has spurred recognition that new realities require new responses. Critical for effective environmental protection, restoration, and education is a sharing of understanding and effort across borders. Transboundary Policy Challenges in the Pacific Border Regions of North America highlights advances in transborder environmental research and discusses sensible policy directions with particular focus on critical areas of international concern and engagement: land and water use planning; regional growth management; trade and transportation corridors; environmental education; and travel and tourism. With Contributions By: J.C. Day Donald K. Alper K.S. Calbick Jose Luis Castru-Ruiz Alejandro Diaz-Bautista David A. Fraser Salvador Garcia-Martinez Warren G. Gill Duncan Knowler James Louckey Krista Martinez Martin Medina Jean O. Melious Cristobal Mendoza John C. Miles John M. Munroe Emma Spencer Norman Hugh O'Reilly Vicente Sanchez-Munguia Preston L. Schiller Tina Symko Peter Williams