Killing the American Dream: How Anti-Immigration Extremists are Destroying the Nation

Pilar Marrero

oct 2012 · Distribuido por St. Martin's Press

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As the US deports record numbers of illegal immigrants and local and state governments scramble to pass laws resembling dystopian police states where anyone can be questioned and neighbors are encouraged to report on one another, violent anti-immigration rhetoric is growing across the nation. Against this tide of hysteria, Pilar Marrero reveals how damaging this rise in malice toward immigrants is not only to the individuals, but to our country as a whole. Marrero explores the rise in hate groups and violence targeting the foreign-born from the 1986 Immigration Act to the increasing legislative madness of laws like Arizona's SB1070 which allows law officers to demand documentation from any individual with "reasonable suspicion" of citizenship, essentially encouraging states and municipalities to form their own self-contained nation-states devoid of immigrants. Assessing the current status quo of immigration, Marrero reveals the economic drain these ardent anti-immigration policies have as they deplete the nation of an educated work force, undermine efforts to stabilize tax bases and social security, and turn the American Dream from a time honored hallmark of the nation into an unattainable fantasy for all immigrants of the present and future.

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Pilar Marrero is editor and reporter for La Opinion, the largest and oldest Spanish language daily paper in America, winning awards from associations including New America Media, the New School, and the International Center for Journalists for her intriguing work exploring the trials and tribulations of the Latino community. With her 25 years of experience covering social and political issues, she is one of the most highly sought after commenters by international and local media for knowledgeable insight to the issues that face Latinos, appearing on such outlets as BBC World, CNN, and NPR, among others. She teaches journalism courses at UCLA-extension and lives in California.