Review by Choice Review
Analyzing cross-border immigration over the past half-century along with current causes of discontent, Kaushal (social work, Columbia Univ.) contrasts global trends and national frameworks from a largely economic perspective, concluding that global immigration is neither a crisis nor chaotic. She presents evidence challenging several key arguments against immigrants and immigration--the economic costs to receiving societies and communities, immigration's relationship to crime and terrorism--and she looks at the claim that the US immigration system--considered here as a case study for economic growth and innovation through immigration--is broken. Central to Kaushal's argument are political mobilization of anxiety over perceived social/demographic shifts and a fundamental misunderstanding of the scope and causes of immigration. Kaushal finds that communities and countries with the least migration are the most protectionist and often act against their economic self-interest. Conversely, communities that are diverse tend to welcome immigrants. Although she acknowledges that immigration may affect specific locales and groups of people adversely, she argues that on the whole the economic balance sheet tips in favor of ongoing immigration--which is a fraction of overall cross-border movement of people. Kaushal ends by laying out four policy approaches countries have typically pursued: i.e., restricting immigration, intervening in sending countries, accommodating immigrants, and addressing root causes of discontent (in lieu of scapegoating immigrants). Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers. --Anita H. Fabos, Clark University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
