The 'Huddled Masses' Myth: Immigration and Civil Rights
Aztlan A Journal of Chicano Studies, Vol. 32, No. 2, 2007
4 Pages Posted: 8 Aug 2008 Last revised: 28 Feb 2012
Date Written: August 7, 2008
Abstract
This short book review of Kevin R. Johnson's THE HUDDLED MASSES MYTH: IMMIGRATION AND CIVIL RIGHTS explains how Johnson supports his contention that U.S. immigration history includes discriminatory and often harsh treatment of noncitizens long sanctioned and legitimized by law. The discriminatory treatment of immigrants, in Johnson's view, has worrisome consequences for domestic minorities as they struggle to secure civil rights and full societal membership. Topics discussed in detail in Johnson's book and analyzed in the review include the extraconstitutional nature of immigration law, and the exclusion and deportation of political undesirables, the indigent, criminals. Furthermore, the disparate treatment of noncitizen women, lesbians and gays under U.S. immigration law is discussed in Johnson's book and analyzed in the review as well. The review finds that Johnson takes a deep historical and comprehensive approach to the analysis of immigration law and civil rights in a highly readable work that can reach a broad audience.
Keywords: Immigration Law, Civil Rights, book review, Kevin R. Johnson, noncitizens, immigrants, minories, discrimination
JEL Classification: K19, K39
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation