Immigration & Emigration - Government Policy, Latin Americans - General & Miscellaneous, Immigration & Emigration - United States, Regional Studies - Western U.S.
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Overview
Peter Laufer's explosive proposals for the U.S.-Mexican border go far beyond President Bush's initiative to ease restrictions on immigration. Mr. Laufer argues that the border with Mexico should be completely open, with a free flow of people between the two countries. He offers a step-by-step blueprint for making it happen. Wetback Nation is also the background to understanding the Bush proposals: the story of how the border has become a fraud, resulting in nothing more than the criminalization of Mexican and other migrants, the bloating of the mismanaged Immigration and Naturalization Service, the deterioration of living standards along the frontier, and the enrichment of American employers. Placing the border in historical perspective, Mr. Laufer shows how circumstances have deteriorated to the present crisis, and why the region and the migration through it cannot be ignored. Over the last several years he has interviewed dozens of authorities as well as men and women in the street while reporting from Mexico, along the border, and in the United States. He demonstrates that the security of America's southern border is a fallacy; offers vivid examples to illustrate how the chain of misery and lawbreaking for migrants heading north is initiated by U.S. employers; traces many of the border problems to the Guatemalan-Mexican border; and explores the abuses of the Border Patrol and the growing presence of vigilantes on the American side. Wetback Nation is sure to provoke a lively debate over the future of Mexican immigration.Synopsis
Peter Laufer's explosive proposals for the U.S.-Mexican border go far beyond President Bush's initiative to ease restrictions on immigration. Mr. Laufer argues that the border with Mexico should be completely open, with a free flow of people between the two countries. He offers a step-by-step blueprint for making it happen. Wetback Nation is also the background to understanding the Bush proposals: the story of how the border has become a fraud, resulting in nothing more than the criminalization of Mexican and other migrants, the bloating of the mismanaged Immigration and Naturalization Service, the deterioration of living standards along the frontier, and the enrichment of American employers.
PROFESSOR & KNIGHT CHAIR IN JOURNALISM, DIRECTOR, KNIGHT CENTER FOR JOURNALISM IN THE AMERICAS, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN - Rosental Calmon Alves
I love the book. Wetback Nation is an extraordinary journalistic contribution to the Mexican immigration debate.
Editorials
Autumn Phillips
His book is not only informative but also engaging. He fills his pages with faces, not just facts.—The Steamboat Pilot, Steamboat Springs, CO
Austin American-Statesman
...Makes a strong case for simply opening the border.... To bolster his argument, Laufer offers a fascinating series of vignettes.San Francisco Chronicle
A captivating, informative read infused with a deep and genuine empathy for those who suffer the most under current immigration policy.Midwest Book Review
One of the more unusual and important surveys of Mexican relations and immigration standards to appear in modern times.CA Press-Democrat Santa Rosa, CA Press-Democrat
...Probably [Laufer's] best book--a warm and humane treatment of a fascinating subject.... Challenges readers.... A pleasure to read.Rosental Calmon Alves
I love the book. Wetback Nation is an extraordinary journalistic contribution to the Mexican immigration debate.—PROFESSOR & KNIGHT CHAIR IN JOURNALISM, DIRECTOR, KNIGHT CENTER FOR JOURNALISM IN THE AMERICAS, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
Linda Yanez
Laufer's journalistic approach to this issue makes a very compelling case...that immigration...is...[not] strictly a law enforcement issue.—FORMER INSTRUCTOR, IMMIGRATION LAW CLINIC, HARVARD LAW SCHOOL; HEAD OF IMMIGRATION, CLINTON-GORE PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION TEAM
San Antonio Express-News
...Sure to ignite debate over immigration policy, and Laufer deserves credit for confronting the issue in terms both honest and human.Los Angeles Times
...Laufer describes the realities of cross-border migration...citing the futility of current policies.Foreword Magazine
A scathing critcism and systematic analysis of America's closed border policy with Mexico.ZAVALA COUNTY SENTINEL
Laufer makes a powerful personal argument for opening the border.—CRYSTAL CITY, TX
KLIATT
This book looks at the issue of immigration from Mexico from a startling perspective. Laufer makes the argument for open borders between Mexico and the US. Considering that most politicians, policy-makers, and vocal participants in the debate have either taken the opposite approach or have pussyfooted around the issue, this is a fascinating book. Laufer presents all side of the debate and looks at the current status of our immigration policy. He talked to the militia groups who are guarding the borders and to landowners on both sides of the border. He looks at the criminal aspect of smuggling and human trafficking, US and Mexican history and the changing borders and policies of immigration by both Mexico and the US, the debate over documenting workers with drivers' licenses, and arguments for tighter and looser border controls. Like any good debate, you will probably find yourself agreeing with some of the points and disagreeing with others, and that's the point. The book is well researched with notes and a complete index. Laufer admits that he is pro-immigration for two reasons: his father came through Ellis Island and he grew up in California and enjoys the culture Latino immigrants bring to his life. Like its title, this book doesn't hold back just to be politically correct, and it would be a good addition to any school library.San Antonio Express-News
Sure to ignite debate over immigration policy, and Laufer deserves credit for confronting the issue in terms both honest and human.Los Angeles Times
Laufer describes the realities of cross-border migration…citing the futility of current policies.Midwest Book Review
One of the more unusual and important surveys of Mexican relations and immigration standards to appear in modern times.San Francisco Chronicle
A captivating, informative read infused with a deep and genuine empathy for those who suffer the most under current immigration policy.Rosental Calmon Alves
I love the book. Wetback Nation is an extraordinary journalistic contribution to the Mexican immigration debate.ForeWord Reviews
A scathing critcism and systematic analysis of America's closed border policy with Mexico.Austin American Statesman
Makes a strong case for simply opening the border....Fascinating.Zavala County Sentinel (Texas)
Laufer makes a powerful personal argument for opening the border.Ca Press-Democrat Santa Rosa
Probably [Laufer's] best book—a warm and humane treatment of a fascinating subject.…A pleasure to read.The Steamboat Pilot, Steamboat, Springs, Co
His book is not only informative but also engaging. He fills his pages with faces, not just facts.New York Sun
Mr. Laufer writes with great empathy...He does succeed in putting a human face on Mexicans who risk everything...in pursuit of better opportunity.Latin Trade
Laufer is willing to take a controversial stand and defend it.Sanibel Captiva Islander
This is a fascinating book....This book doesn't hold back just to be politically correct.Linda Yanez
Laufer’s journalistic approach to this issue makes a very compelling case that immigration is not strictly a law enforcement issue.Sanford J. Ungar
Peter Laufer understands this issue better than most and...offers some outrageously simple—and quite possibly workable—solutions to a very old problem.Luis Alberto Urrea
Fearlessly, Peter Laufer steps into the middle of the debate and states his case...making points that will leave people shaking their heads....A primary text.Book Details
Published
September 1, 2004
Publisher
Dee, Ivan R. Publisher
Pages
302
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9781566635929