Constructing Immigrant 'Illegality' Critiques, Experiences, and Responses [Paperback]

This collection examines how immigration law shapes immigrant illegality, the concept of immigrant illegality, and how its power is wielded and resisted.From the beginning of its modern invocation in the early twentieth century, the often ill-defined epithet of human illegality has figured prominently in the media, in vigorous public debates, and in presidential campaigns. In this collection of essays, contributors from a variety of disciplines examine how immigration law shapes immigrant illegality, how the concept of immigrant illegality is deployed and lived, and how its power is wielded and resisted.From the beginning of its modern invocation in the early twentieth century, the often ill-defined epithet of human illegality has figured prominently in the media, in vigorous public debates, and in presidential campaigns. In this collection of essays, contributors from a variety of disciplines examine how immigration law shapes immigrant illegality, how the concept of immigrant illegality is deployed and lived, and how its power is wielded and resisted.The topic of illegal immigration has been a major aspect of public discourse in the United States and many other immigrant-receiving countries. From the beginning of its modern invocation in the early twentieth century, the often ill-defined epithet of human illegality has figured prominently in the media; in vigorous public debates at the national, state, and local levels; and in presidential campaigns. In this collection of essays, contributors from a variety of disciplines  anthropology, law, political science, religious studies, and sociology  examine how immigration law shapes immigrant illegality, how the concept of immigrant illegality is deployed and lived, and how its power is wielded and resisted. The authors conclude that the current concept of immigrant illegality is in need of sustained critique, as careful analysis will aid policy discussions and lead to more just solutions.1. Introduction: 'iml£&