Mexican Illegal Aliens: A Mexican American Perspective [Paperback]

Rafael Canul (Author), John Cise (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 2005

Professor Canul, in this substantial, well-documented and impressive socio-political and economic analysis, focuses on the difficult and challenging motives and experiences of Mexicans illegals who have settled in the U.S. since 1920's. He illustrates how, despite racial conflicts, the controversial influx of Mexicans have adapted and contributed to American society. His rich layers of personalized data yield portraits ranging from those who cross the borders through the desert or hidden in cars often. He describes a rail-road like the protection often extended by the established Mexican American community who witnesses with pain, empathy, and disgust the mistreatment of illegals. He provides a unique Mexican American perspective on this controversial issue of illegal immigration. Furthermore, he concludes with a forceful argument that, despite rising nativism spurred by illegal migrants, illegal immigrants are indispensable for many sectors of the U.S. economy. The lack American political will to address in orderly manner the issue of foreign workers has victimized the weakest link of dynamic and highly profitable economic process: the Mexican illegal aliens. Dr. Canul provides an ample historical background of how the federal government has attempted to deal with, and how it has failed to stem the tide of illegal migration. He also addresses within a historical context the reactions of Americans to the various waves of immigration from the rise of the antiforeign Nativists, the restrictive immigration laws and quotas of the 1920s; through the World War II era, the Bracero Program, the Amnesty declared by Reagan to the present concerns with the War on Terror. This excellent work is an effective tool for increasing multicultural awareness and should be an effective teaching guide for social sciences and humanities. This book provides the first comprehensive, Mexican American historical perspective of the Mexican illegal immigration to the United States during the last 50 years and how this history impacts on current Mexican Americans political articulation. John Cise, University of California, Berkeley

Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: Floricanto Press (March 31, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0915745623
• ISBN-13: 978-0915745623
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,320,881 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Save your money and time..., September 24, 2005

By 

John Crump (Corona del Mar, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mexican Illegal Aliens: A Mexican American Perspective (Paperback)

This book is nothing that it promises to be and it is difficult to read due to its poor grammar. I wonder if the editor even passed his eyes over the text; if so, Dr. Canul should get his money back. I wish that I could! The book description states that it would be a fine addition to related college courses; if you take a course that uses this book--immediately drop the course and speak to the Dean of that professor's department to have the professor's qualifications and judgement examined.

In short, this is the type of book that you get when a psychologist writes about socio-political issues. Save your money. There are better books out there that have accurate points to make. I would go on but I have wasted enough time on this book.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars eye-opening, July 13, 2005

By 

Carmela "Carm" (Santa Ana, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mexican Illegal Aliens: A Mexican American Perspective (Paperback)

This is a great example of the melding of personal account and history. Dr. Canul has demonstrated the historical implications of immigration specific to Mexican people via his personal recollections and the stories of many. Mexican Illegals addresses the quagmire of immigration policy that the US has developed to serve the interests of the American people and the American economy, yet points out the cruelty and deprivation that has been the end result to many, both Merxican and American. This is a text that would be perfect for a college level course, as few institutions of higher learning address anything about the history of immigration in this country, other than the pilgims and the Mayflower.The focus on current immigration policy and possible real solutions brings the topic into focus and allows the reader to clearly understand how illegal immigration is both a boon and a bane to the United States of America.