Is it time for America―a country founded and forged by immigrants―to shut its doors? After decades of liberal policies that welcomed ever greater numbers of immigrants; America is seeing a surge in anti-immigration sentiment. Congressional debates; polls; incidents of violence; and the growing strength of anti-immigration groups all indicate a growing nativism. In Unwelcome Strangers; David M. Reimers enters into the emotionally charged immigration debate; looking at all sides of the argument. Who are the nativists; and are any of their views legitimate? This balanced investigation traces the history of American attitudes toward immigration and offers a new perspective on the current crisis.The core of this book uncovers the heated arguments of the anti-immigration forces; from environmental groups that warn against the consequences of overpopulation; to economic concerns that immigrants take jobs away from Americans; to assimilationist fears that newcomers―especially from Latin America; and Asia―threaten American culture. Reimers questions these arguments while acknowledging that pro-immigration forces hurt their position by not considering whether the United States can actually absorb one million immigrants a year. Reimers sees potential solutions in English language instruction for newcomers; greater accountability of sponsors; and government intervention to counterbalance the negative economic impact some immigrants have on poor communities. Reimers outlines the many bureaucratic and practical challenges faced by the INS; from determining who gets political asylum to screening applicants for criminal records.Reimers charts the history of U.S. immigration policy and public reaction to newcomers; from the Puritan colonists to World War II refugees. The rise of nativism that began in the 1880s culminated with the highly restrictive immigration policies of the 1920s. Reimers shows how immigrant groups have historically been targeted―whether for ethnic; racial; or religious reasons. Quakers; Catholics; and Jews were the focus of anti-immigrant sentiment as were Germans; Irish; Italians; and Asians. This history of prejudice throws light on later developments in immigration history; such as the public response to the Cuban refugee crisis; the growing proportion of Third World immigrants; and the relationship between legal and illegal immigration; right up to the battles over California's proposition 187―which proposed to restrict public assistance for aliens and their children―and major congressional legislation passed in 1996 to deal with immigration.
#3560514 in Books Wlodarczyk Nathalie 2009-12-18 2009-11-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x 1.00 x 6.00l; .70 #File Name: 0230621023188 pagesMagic and Warfare Appearance and Reality in Contemporary African Conflict and Beyond
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good read about a little-known weapon: VooDoo magic puts a Witchdoctor on the front-lines of combat!By Charles W. ClowdisAs thoroughly steeped in battlefield lore as I thought I was; I learned much from this well-researched book. Not only about the Sierre Leone civil war; which was dramatically brought to easier understanding; but to the realities of magic used on the battlefield to instill fighting passion in the field soldier.While I have long admired Stonewall Jackson's ability to rally his troops ("kill them all" when asked how he would approach the enemy); and Lee's willed-power to repeatedly send his army into certain death; an order they willingly followed; a Witch Doctor on the field was new in my military planning!Nathalie Wlodarczyk has done a superb job in making this rather unexplored and obscure tactic more easily understood and accepted. Her intellect shows through and we can only hope she devotes her skill and talent to other military subjects.She is a gifted writer and possesses a depth of African knowledge that sets her apart from other writers on the subject.What's next; Ms. Wlodarczyk?
