Americans in Waiting: The Lost Story of Immigration and Citizenship in the United States [Paperback]

Hiroshi Motomura (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 17, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0195336089 | ISBN-13: 978-0195336085

Although America is unquestionably a nation of immigrants, its immigration policies have inspired more questions than consensus on who should be admitted and what the path to citizenship should be. In Americans in Waiting, Hiroshi Motomura looks to a forgotten part of our past to show how, for over 150 years, immigration was assumed to be a transition to citizenship, with immigrants essentially being treated as future citizens--Americans in waiting. Challenging current conceptions, the author deftly uncovers how this view, once so central to law and policy, has all but vanished. Motomura explains how America could create a more unified society by recovering this lost history and by giving immigrants more, but at the same time asking more of them. A timely, panoramic chronicle of immigration and citizenship in the United States, Americans in Waiting offers new ideas and a fresh perspective on current debates.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An impressive overview of American immigration and citizenship law over the past 200 years."--Najia Aarim-Heriot, American Historical Review

"Hiroshi Motomura's portrait of immigration history in the United States is as poignant as it is precise. Americans in Waiting emphasizes the need to treat lawful immigrants more inclusively, and welcome them as future citizens who will help revitalize the American Dream for future generations, as they have done throughout history."--U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy

"Motomura provides an essential resource for those steeped in immigration law and history, as well as a revelatory read for anyone interested in how Americans can remain true to our historical willingness, as a nation of immigrants, to incorporate newcomers humanely and fairly."--Cristina Rodriguez, Michigan Law Review

"A unique, original and insightful analysis of policies regarding immigrant rights, Americans in Waiting merits the attention of all serious students of immigrant incorporation."--Rodolfo O. de la Garza, author of Making Americans, Remaking America: Immigration and Immigrant Policy

"Motomura elegantly weaves together the history and modern developments of immigration law and American conceptions of immigrants, making complex topics much more understandable. This is a timely book, and one that encourages us to think more deeply about the consequences of American citizenship policies."--Lucy Salyer, author of Laws Harsh as Tigers: Chinese Immigrants and the Shaping of Modern Immigration Law

"With comprehensive historical sweep and theoretical insight, Americans in Waiting masterfully charts the way to more inclusive policies that are true to the United States' identity as a nation of immigrants and that promote a robust and cohesive notion of citizenship."--T. Alexander Aleinikoff, author of Semblances of Sovereignty: The Constitution, The State, and American Citizenship

"Legal scholars and practitioners will find the book's attention to detail particularly useful. The author examines a strikingly wide range of immigration case law, much of which is not typically included in the corpus of social scientific literature on immigration law. ...Americans in Waiting is a valuable addition to contemporary discussions of immigration and citizenship, especially at a time when the rush to pass comprehensive immigration reform has all but crowded out reflections on the nature of American community."--The Law and Politics Book Review

"Motomura displays a great deal of legal erudition and writes with flair. Nevertheless, his analysis is accessible to those not specialized in immigration law or law in general. This important and original book is of broad interdisciplinary interest."--The International History Review

From the Publisher

Advance Praise for Americans in Waiting

"Hiroshi Motomura's portrait of immigration history in the United States is as poignant as it is precise. Americans in Waiting emphasizes the need to treat lawful immigrants more inclusively, and welcome them as future citizens who will help revitalize the American Dream for future generations, as they have done throughout history." -- U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy

"Motomura recovers an important conception of immigration implicit in U.S. law and policy in earlier times: the idea of immigrants as future citizens. In Motomura's skillful hands, the concept takes on new life and provides important insights into current debates on citizenship. With comprehensive historical sweep and theoretical insight, Americans in Waiting masterfully charts the way to more inclusive policies that are true to the U.S.'s identity as a nation of immigrants and that promote a robust and cohesive notion of citizenship." -- T. Alexander Aleinikoff, author of Semblances of Sovereignty: The Constitution, The State, and American Citizenship

"Americans in Waiting is a rare achievement in its ability to engage both non-specialists and scholarly and professional audiences. Motomura elegantly weaves together the history and modern developments of immigration law and American conceptions of immigrants, making complex topics much more understandable. His provocative proposal--that the United States should treat lawful immigrants as future citizens, conferring upon them equal rights and benefits as they establish permanent residence--is certain to spark a healthy debate about the future of American immigration and citizenship. This is a timely book, and one that encourages us to think more deeply about the consequences of American citizenship policies." -- Lucy Salyer, author of Laws Harsh as Tigers: Chinese Immigrants and the Shaping of Modern Immigration Law

"A unique, original and insightful analysis of policies regarding immigrant rights. Based on a careful reading of an impressively wide range of legal decisions, few of which are part of the corpus of the most significant social scientific literature on immigration law, he develops a tripartite conceptualization that illustrates alternative theories of immigrant rights. Americans in Waiting merits the attention of all serious students of immigrant incorporation." -- Rodolfo O. de la Garza, author of Making Americans, Remaking America: Immigration and Immigrant Policy

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (September 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195336089
• ISBN-13: 978-0195336085
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.7 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #414,009 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #66 in Books > Law > Administrative Law > Emigration & Immigration
  • #85 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Public Affairs & Policy > Cultural Policy

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Americans in Waiting: Legal Immigrants on a Path to Naturalization July 11, 2008

By Jennifer

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Americans in Waiting blends a thorough analysis of the turbulent history of U.S. citizenship and immigration with a normative legal theory of what ought to be done. Motomuro, a leading immigration law scholar, evades overly obfuscating legal jargon in lieu of style that can be enjoyed by any reader from all degrees of background knowledge.

Motomuro breaks legal immigration down into three views: immigration as contract, immigration as affiliation, and immigrants in transition, or what he otherwise terms as "Americans in Waiting." The third category is what Motomuro is most concerned with, hence the title of the book. Americans in Waiting are legal immigrants who are on a path to citizenship, but who have not or cannot naturalize yet (i.e: either they have not met the legal naturalization waiting period of 3-5 years for Legal Permanent Residents, administrative backlog, etc). While Motomuro argues that rights should be extended to this status of persons, such as voting, access to public benefits, and family reunification rights, he still believes there is reason for Americans in Waiting to remain a separate category from full-citizens. One categorical difference he believes should remain in tact is deportability for criminal acts. By recapturing key court cases, Motomuro traces the development of alienage law as we know it today and he also provides good reason for why his articulation is desirable for America and its future as a people.

I have been studying U.S. immigration and citizenship quite thoroughly for about a year now, but it was not until reading this book that so many key terms and distinctions between different statuses became so coherent. Motomuro sheds much clarity and insight onto a highly complex and vital social and political issue. Excellent all around!

5.0 out of 5 stars ebook January 28, 2013

By Angie

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought the ebook for my kindle and have not finished reading it yet, but am excited to finish it. Good product!

9 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars history must be understood August 9, 2007

By Regina Vitolo

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

more people should read this well written piece of non fiction. the trouble is that few of our generation honestly know the details about America and rely on the telegraphic info of Fox news instead of gaining true knowledge.