April 2, 2007
Drawing on immigration history and left-wing economic analysis, historian and immigrants' rights activist Chomsky (Profits of Extermination
) aims to debunk the assumptions informing the current immigration debate in this well-researched if stiffly written account. She offers straightforward arguments against anti-immigrant perceptions such as the one in the book's title: the "number of jobs is not
finite, it is elastic," Chomsky asserts, pointing out that in the "postindustrial economy," many manufacturing jobs have been replaced by low-paying service jobs. In response to the accusation that "immigrants don't pay taxes," Chomsky notes that textile jobs that were once a part of the "formal sector" are now informal (i.e., they do not offer benefits or collect taxes)—for which she blames the employers. As for immigrants' alleged reluctance to learn English, the author observes that as one generation becomes fluent, new Spanish speakers arrive; she defends non-English speakers by citing the waiting lists for ESL classes and explaining that immigrants with a history as a conquered people (e.g. Mexicans) more stubbornly retain their heritage. Though Chomsky presents an agile blend of the history of race and immigration in the U.S. with current events, the book's format of offering liberal polemics to anti-immigrant questions forces her into a defensive, didactic tone.
June 15, 2007
Chomsky (history, Salem State Coll.; "West Indian Workers and the United Fruit Company in Costa Rica 18701940") provides a timely look at immigration and debunks myths about the problems immigrants pose for American citizens. She writes that the very term "American jobs" is outmoded in this global economy and that, though immigrants come here for wages higher than they can earn at home, these wages are low by American standards. In their first years, Chomsky concedes, immigrants may be net consumers of public services, but they pay sales, income, and property taxes. Without legal status, they are neither protected by laws or unions, nor treated decently. Ironically, she writes, many who rail against "illegals" in this country are the descendants of Europeans who settled here when America hadn't yet systematized its immigration policy. Lastly, Chomsky addresses attitudes about immigration and proposed "solutions" and shares her belief that a more humane and racially progressive policy is needed. The time line at the end is helpful. Solidly recommended for public library current events sections.Duncan Stewart, Univ. of Iowa Libs., Iowa City
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