Immigration In America's Future: Social Science Findings And The Policy Debate (Foundations of Social Inquiry) [Paperback]

David Heer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 081338740X | ISBN-13: 978-0813387406 | Publication Date: April 19, 1996

Immigration policy is one of the most contentious issues facing the United States today. The bitter national debate over California’s Proposition 187, the influx of Cuban refugees into Miami, and the continuous, often illegal, crossings over the Mexican border into Texas and California are just a few of the episodes that have created a furor on local, state, and federal levels.In this timely and informative book, David Heer invites readers to examine the data and the trends of immigration to the United States and, ultimately, make up their own minds about what our national immigration policy ought to be. He demonstrates how social science findings, together with a conscious recognition of our individual values, are necessary for the formation of a balanced policy for immigration.Some of the the nation’s collective values that may be affected by U.S. immigration policy are the standard of living in this country, the preservation of existing American culture, ethnic and class conflict, and the power of the United States in international affairs. Heer examines the impact of these values on immigration policy and traces the history of U.S. immigration and immigration law and patterns of immigration to the United States. Finally, he offers proposals for change to existing immigration policy.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David M. Heer is professor of sociology and associate director of the Population Research Laboratory at the University of Southern California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press (April 19, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081338740X
• ISBN-13: 978-0813387406
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,049,525 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Survey of the Topic but Ridiculous Proposals for Change, February 19, 2000

By 

Jonah (Niedersachsen) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Immigration In America's Future: Social Science Findings And The Policy Debate (Foundations of Social Inquiry) (Paperback)

I do mostly agree with the blurb printed on the backcover of this book in that it is "an excellent introduction to, and overview of the immigration field." Heer certainly provided lots of historical and contemporary facts and data, which makes this book a good starting point for academic research. However, the author also outs himself as "a native-born, white, upper-middle-class professional of northwestern European origin." That alone must not necessarily mean anything, but he is also a proponent of very old-fashioned cut-throat capitalism. His final proposals for change in immigration jurisdiction is to auction off permits for residence in the US at "market value." Whoever is willing to pay the most for one of the 700,000 permits Leer wants to hand out annually will be allowed to settle in the US. While he does allow for a parallel asylum system for political refugees, this very cynical concept would effectively put an end to all immigration of economic refugees, who would not be able to pay whatever Leer's "market price" turns out to be. The author is especially proud of his ridiculous proposal for ensuring immigration mostly of qualified, younger professionals and preventing older, poorer, or unskilled people -- unable to bid -- to enter the US. I would have never expected such a heartless, cynical, and inhuman proposal from a professor of sociology. Adam Smith would be proud of him, but hopefully no contemporary politician or pressure group will ever seriously consider his crazy, misanthropic suggestions.