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

See all articles by María Mercedes Pabón

María Mercedes Pabón

Loyola University New Orleans College of Law

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

Pabón, María Mercedes, The 'Huddled Masses' Myth: Immigration and Civil Rights (August 7, 2008). Aztlan A Journal of Chicano Studies, Vol. 32, No. 2, 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1211092

María Mercedes Pabón (Contact Author)

Loyola University New Orleans College of Law ( email )

7214 St Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118
United States

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