His Panic: Why Americans Fear Hispanics in The U.S. [Paperback]

An account of the Hispanic population’s growth and the changing face of America from world-renowned journalist Geraldo Rivera—now updated with a new Foreword.

Since his infamous confrontation with Bill O’Reilly on The O’Reilly Factor, Emmy® award winner Geraldo Rivera has examined what makes the issue of illegal Hispanic immigration so complex. With widespread fury and frustration directed at Hispanics, the nation’s largest minority, this may be the single most divisive issue in America today—with some citizens blaming illegal immigrants for everything from terrorism to the spread of disease and the loss of jobs.

With unbiased analysis, Rivera exposes the hypocrisy, racism, and ignorance behind anti-immigration sentiments, from both extremists and otherwise ordinary Americans.

An unflinching look at one of today’s biggest issues—and a vital contribution to the ongoing debate—His Panic is destined to reshape the way Americans view the future of this country.Proud to Be an American

First, let me tell you my family's story, just one Hispanic family among millions. Like the overwhelming majority of immigrants, Hispanic or otherwise, the Riveras of Puerto Rico worked hard, served our country in many different ways, and made enormous efforts to assimilate, despite the obstacle of prejudice.

My dad always wanted to fit into America, his “new” country. Well, technically the country wasn't new, because U.S. citizenship had been bestowed on him and all current and future Puerto Ricans by legislation called the Jones Act of 1917. The United States had been in possession of the lovely tropical island it had conquered and won from Spain for only twenty years, and Cruz Rivera was just two years old, the lc.