Immigration: Rich Diversity or Social Burden? »

Robert Morrow, previously a news reporter for the Peoria Journal Star, has authored many magazine articles, several children's stories, and a college-level text. Although he keeps returning to journalism, Morrow has been - at various times in his life - a farmer, a soldier, a cheese salesman, a luxury car salesman, a college teacher, and a ranch foreman. He currently lives in Princeton, Illinois.

Americans are sharply divided on the issue of immigration. Some people believe that the nation doesn't need and can't afford any more immigrants. They say that immigrants - especially illegal immigrants - strain the U.S. economy, destroy the culture, and raise the crime rate. Other people strongly disagree. They see immigration as the very foundation of the United States. They say that immigrants enrich U.S. society and give the economy far more than they take from it. Making sense of the immigration debate involves looking at the facts, studying the statistics, examining the laws, and listening to views on both sides. It also means asking tough questions: • Why do so many immigrants come to the United States? • Do Americans, as descendants of immigrants, have a duty to welcome immigrants? If so, how can this be done in a safe, orderly, and productive way? • What are the costs and benefits of immigration? • What will happen if the United States keeps the door open? Or slams the door shut? To answer these questions, this book examines the history of U.S. immigration as well as current federal, state, and local laws. It provides the opinions and perspectives of government and religious leaders, activists, and ordinary Americans on both sides of the issue. It also presents the perspectives of people closely involved in immigration, such as legal and illegal immigrants, employers, residents of border communities, and immigration agents. Supplemented with quotes, anecdotes, and discussions from the pages of USA TODAY, The Nation's No. 1 Newspaper, this book will broaden your understanding of all sides of the issue and help you form your own opinion, either for oragainst immigration.

Children's Literature

A volume in the "USA Today's Debate: Voices & Perspectives" series, this book discusses "The Immigration Debate" and was written by Robert Morrow, a retired news journalist and author of books for children as well as college textbooks. The history of immigration to North America, modern immigration, past and current immigration policies, the controversy over both legal and illegal immigration to the United States, public opinion on immigration, and immigration's effect on the U. S. economy and culture is included. A timeline of immigration to North America begins in 30,000 B.C., but is mainly for immigration the United States after 1492. A glossary provides definitions of words significant to the discussion of immigration; source notes and a selected bibliography offer both citations from USA Today and other supporting materials. A list of organizations, books, films, and websites concerned with immigration, and an index makes this book useful for research about the study of immigration. Reviewer: Naomi Williamson

Introduction The Immigration Debate 5

Chapter 1 The Story of U.S. Immigration 13

Chapter 2 Modern U.S. Immigration Policy 41

Chapter 3 A Country Divided 63

Chapter 4 Fences, Raids, and Harsh Measures 81

Chapter 5 Immigrants and the U.S. Economy 103

Chapter 6 Culture and Morals 117

Timeline 134

Glossary 137

Source Notes 139

Selected Bibliography 146

Organizations to Contact 147

Further Information 151

Index 156