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"Revised and expanded edition of the groundbreaking book which demystifies twenty-one of the most widespread myths and beliefs about immigrants and immigrations. In "They Take Our Jobs!" Aviva Chomsky challenges the underlying assumptions that fuel misinformed claims about immigrants, radically altering our notions of citizenship, discrimination, and U.S. history. Since it was first published, many of the same myths about immigration such as "immigrants take American jobs," "immigrants don't pay taxes," and "immigrants increase crime" continue to be perpetuated and used to promote aggressive anti-immigration policies. In a new introduction, Chomsky reflects on the events of the past ten years. She analyzes declining Mexican immigration patterns, illuminates Mexico's little-known Southern Border Program, and assesses Obama's complicated legacy as "deporter-in-chief" which, Chomsky argues, inadvertently laid the groundwork for Trump's anti-immigrant racism"--… (more)
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There is quite a lot about the history of immigration, this the third book that I have read that included that so that is mostly old ground for me. The most intriguing myth to me is "The Rules Apply to Everyone, So New Immigrants Need to Follow Them, Just As Immigrants in the Past Did". My earliest ancestor was actually convicted of starting a mutiny and the only thing that saved him from being executed was begging the government officials for his life so that he could take care of his wife and children. I wonder how many on the Mayflower knew of his and would they have been uncomfortable of having a convicted criminal aboard the ship.
Towards the end of the book, the author lays all suggestions of how immigration should really be handled. I agree with her on all of them, I just it may be difficult to get those changes made. The general public may need a lot of convincing.
I received a finished copy of this book from the Publisher as a win from FirstReads but that in no way made a difference in my thoughts or feelings in my review.