Two Fresh Publications Offer Perspectives on Various Facets of the Immigration Predicament
The more business leaders comprehend the intricacies of a crisis that could impact their companies and establishments, the better equipped they will be. Two recently published books delve into the historical and people-related aspects of the immigration crisis, offering fresh insights and perspectives on this contentious issue.
These books, penned by journalists who have covered immigration for years, serve as a reality check for executives and potentially debunk some misconceptions.
'An Overwhelming Zone of Public Misinformation'
The lack of knowledge regarding immigration occupies a significant portion of public misinformation. Immigration-related communications are often shrouded in confusion and are highly susceptible to political manipulation and disinformation, as per Margaret Sands Orchowski in her book, 'The 5 Fundamentals Everyone Should Understand About Immigration: Challenging Misconceptions.'
"Immigration is an emotionally charged topic for Americans of all ages and stages. This emotional attachment stems from the fact that almost everyone in the United States has personal connections or family stories, both recent and old, with immigrants," Orchowski observes.
Immigration 101
Orchowski's book serves as a guide that addresses five fundamental aspects of immigration and immigrants, including:
- What immigration is and how it differs from migration
- Who qualifies as an immigrant
- The reasons why nations such as the United States have national immigration laws, and the entities that govern their enactment
- How immigration laws are enforced
- The political dimensions of immigration
Orchowski has authored two other books on immigration, such as 'Immigration and the American Dream' and 'The Law that Changed the Face of America: The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.' She is a correspondent for 'Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine.'
Orchowski remarks that her goal for writing her latest book is to help people grasp two fundamental issues related to immigration, "It's about work opportunities—temporary or permanent—and it is about creating new and loyal citizens for a dynamic country." However, she notes that immigration also comes with responsibilities.
"Managing newcomers is a fundamental responsibility for every sovereign nation-state across the world, which is reflected in their immigration laws, encompassing what is legal and what isn't, and boundaries of punishment for those who break immigration laws." Orchowski concludes.
Humanizing Immigration
Providing a human face to an issue as controversial as immigration can aid in making it more relatable and comprehensible.
In the book 'We Are Home: Becoming an American in the 21st Century—An Oral History' written by journalist Rafael Suarez, more than a dozen immigrants' stories are presented against the backdrop of the development of the country's immigration laws and policies.
Suarez is a seasoned broadcaster, historian, and former correspondent for 'PBS NewsHour.'
"Through more than 40 years as a reporter, I have covered immigration: accompanying Border Patrol agents at the southern border, shadowing amnesty-seeking workers in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, and supporting Midwest farmers aiming to protect their immigrant workforce from raids," Suarez recalls in an email interview.
People are the central focus of Suarez's book.
"Crucially, I move immigrant stories to the forefront of the book. People who arrived in the United States through various means narrate their experiences. They serve as the book's backbone and the thread that weaves its narrative together. They underscore the difficulties involved in this issue and prompt a warning against the sometimes simplistic hostility towards newcomers," Suarez notes.
'We Are Home' integrates history lessons on immigration.
"I aim to provide the reader with a historical context of evolution in America's immigration law and demonstrate how changing laws have impacted our perception of immigration," Suarez underscores.
Strong Opinions
Orchowski and Suarez posses strong views relating to immigration and immigrants.
Suarez's book features his plea, "To cease the habit of treating these subjects—what to do..., and how to address the long-term undocumented population, as if they were one issue.
"Someone who stands at America's front door with a passport needs a different approach because the existing system is somehow too complex, too costly, too cumbersome, and excessively slow. We must engage in some collective wisdom about what to do with that individual or family in a world filled with crises, with tens of millions of people fleeing their homes," he observes.
'An Important Task'
"The subsequent occurrence of the words 'comprehensive immigration reform' should immediately cause you to roll your eyes. In a deeply divided nation, tackling tough challenges does not get any easier," according to Suarez.
"The substantial undertaking of resolving the needs of refugees, long-term undocumented, childhood arrivals, mixed-status families, citizenship versus permanent legal residency, and others continues to linger as an ongoing responsibility, an essential task that endlessly remains on the to-do list," he concludes.
'Business Owners Play a Crucial Role'
"The United States has proven itself as a global leader in successful immigration policies that have contributed to its strength and prosperity," according to Orchowski.
"Because immigration is primarily work-related, business owners exert a significant role in influencing immigration laws via their legislative representatives and lobbying contacts," she asserts.
In various crisis scenarios, obstacles and challenges often arise in dealing with them,
"With Joe Biden stepping back into the White House, there's significant curiosity about how the Democratic president will execute his immigration policy, encompassing a commitment to unprecedented deportations. His objectives may collide with the real-world challenges experienced by law enforcement personnel responsible for enforcement and expulsion, such as the New York-based unit that granted The Associated Press an inside look at its operations: The number of individuals listed for intervention surpasses the number of officers available to accomplish the task," according to The Associated Press's report.
A Pivotal Moment
Immigration-related turmoil shows no signs of abating.
At present, corporate leaders have a significant chance to boost their knowledge on all immigration-related aspects before the predicament evolves into a more substantial and disruptive issue for businesses and organizations.
As in all crisis scenarios, possessing a comprehensive comprehension of a crisis can serve business leaders well in their response. And this is precisely what the works by Suarez and Orchowski aim to achieve by enlightening executives about the historical and legal backgrounds driving the crisis.
The immigration crisis is a topic of significant misinformation in the public sphere, as noted by Margaret Sands Orchowski in her book 'The 5 Fundamentals Everyone Should Understand About Immigration: Challenging Misconceptions'. Edward Segal, a potential reader of these books, could benefit from gaining a deeper understanding of the historical and people-related aspects of immigration to debunk misconceptions and make informed decisions for his company.
Orchowski's book, 'Immigration 101', serves as a guide for people looking to understand the fundamental aspects of immigration, including the differences between immigration and migration, who qualifies as an immigrant, the political dimensions of immigration, and more. Immigrants, such as those whose stories are presented in Rafael Suarez's book 'We Are Home: Becoming an American in the 21st Century—An Oral History', play a vital role in shaping the narrative of immigration in the United States.
