The Danger of Devaluing Immigrants: Impacts on the U.S. Economy and Society

Despite deep divisions on the issue of immigration, this book shows that immigration promotes economic innovation, expands the job market, and contributes to diversity and creativity in the United States. Immigration, as a conduit for bringing new talent, ideas, and inventions into the United States, is essential to the success and vitality of our economy and society. This timely book, researched and written by the Immigration Book Project Team at Penn State University, approaches immigration from historical, economic, business, and sociological perspectives in order to argue that treatment of immigrants must reflect and applaud their critical roles in supporting and leading the economic, social, cultural, and political institutions of civil society. Approaching immigration as both a socioeconomic phenomenon and a matter of public policy, The Danger of Devaluing Immigrants offers demographics and statistics on workforce participation and job creation along with stories of individual immigrants' contributions to the economy and society. It supports the idea that, when immigration is challenged in the political sphere, we must not lose sight of the valuable contributions that immigrants have made-and will continue to make-to our democracy.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments Part One: Immigration and the American Way of Life 1. Introduction 2. Why America? A History of Immigration 3. Refugees Part Two: Immigrants and Their Roles in the Major Sectors of the American Economy 4. The Bimodal Nature of Immigrants across the U.S. Economy 5. Keeping America Employed 6. Keeping America Healthy 7. Educating America 8. Feeding America 9. Keeping America Open for Travel and Tourism 10. Building America 11. Keeping America Safe 12. Contributing to America: Attracting Immigrants with Extraordinary Abilities 13. Strength or Burden? Changing American Attitudes toward Immigration 14. Conclusion Appendix A. An Introduction to the American Visa System Appendix B. Integrating Refugee Employees into the Workplace Notes Index

About the Author :
Fariborz Ghadar is William A. Schreyer Professor of Global Management, Policies, and Planning at the Smeal College of Business at Penn State University, USA.

Review :
In the midst of deep political and social divisions in the United States, clearheaded assessments of why immigration is critical to the nation's future are more important than ever. In this well-researched and well-documented book, Fariborz Ghadar highlights the essential contributions of immigrants to all sectors of the U.S. economy and provides a compelling, balanced, and forward-looking vision of what migration represents to the future stability and prosperity of the country. Fariborz Ghadar has been a tireless thought leader in helping us all understand the value of immigration. This book strongly reinforces his position that immigrants make invaluable contributions to American innovation, the American economy, and the American dream. This book elevates current debates surrounding immigration and calls for the implementation of a comprehensive U.S. immigration policy that, instead of working against the country's best interests, remains true to American values and economic success. Dr. Ghadar provides a concise yet sweeping review of U.S. immigration and its positive socioeconomic impact on industries critical to its economic success. With a vast array of real-world examples, Ghadar reminds the reader of the urgency to create a system that provides a legal means of entrance and egress that would prove a boon to all involved. To make America a beacon of freedom and opportunity for immigrants is not only an ideal, it is a requirement to ensure the viability of almost every economic sector in the United States.