Review by Choice Review
This book is devoted to the exploration of those mechanisms of transnational mobility--smuggling and trafficking--deemed illegal in countries of destination, particularly the US. A law enforcement perspective strongly influences the author's approach. In his words, although immigrants themselves should form part of the discussion, the study "focuses on smuggling and trafficking activities, their organization and profiles." If one's chief interest lies in the workings of the smuggling trade and the measures designed to counteract such activities, the book will prove especially useful and informative. It is well organized, clearly written, and thoroughly documented. Given its criminological orientation, those who study migration in poor sender countries are likely to find it less satisfactory. There are issues at different conceptual levels that receive little attention. For example, Zhang (San Diego State Univ.) commonly depicts border-crossers without proper documentation as "victims," essentially people without voice or agency, which is hardly how most migrants self-identify. He brings up globalization in numerous contexts, generally in terms of communications and terrorism. However, the author fails to note how rich countries' policies often increase migratory pressures in poor lands. In conclusion, although packed with valuable information, this report is but one viewpoint on a complex phenomenon. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. O. Pi-Sunyer University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
