Shaping the immigration debate
Subtitle: contending civil societies on the US-Mexico border
By: Cari Lee Skogberg Eastman
Publisher: FirstForumPress
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Boulder, Colo
Language: eng
Number of pages: 259
ISBN-13: 9781935049463
Subjects: Government policy; Mexican-American Border Region; Illegal aliens; Border security; Immigration advocates; Emigration and immigration; Civil society; Immigration opponents
Description: Stories of interactions between unauthorized immigrants crossing the border into Arizona and the US citizens they encounter have made headlines not only in areas adjacent to the border, but across the entire United States. How have these stories, along with adamant members of civil society--those who provide help to travelers in need, as well as those who wish to stop what they see as an invasion of foreigners--shaped public understanding of what happens along the US-Mexico border? And what has this meant for current immigration policy? Addressing these questions, Cari Eastman explores the relationship among passionate citizen groups in southern Arizona, the messages they promote, and public understanding at the national level of the issues at stake in the immigration debate. Her work encourages thoughtful dialogue, not only about immigration, but also about our own notions of citizenship and belonging. -- Publisher description.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Disorder on the border; title: Researching immigration in Arizona; title: The history of U.S. immigration; title: Framing the border: boundaries, illegality, and engagement; title: Shaping the national debate; title: Media and civil society: walking the line together; title: Nationalist sentiment and mediated messages; title: Pulpits, patriotism, and the press: how love of God and love of country motivate action; title: Bringing order to the border: capturing public attention; title: Reflecting back, looking ahead.