Immigrant America: A Portrait

by Alejandro Portes, Rubén G. Rumbaut

This third edition of the widely acclaimed classic has been thoroughly expanded and updated to reflect current demographic, economic, and political realities. Drawing on recent census data and other primary sources, Portes and Rumbaut have infused the entire text with new information and added a vivid array of new vignettes and illustrations.

Recognized for its superb portrayal of immigration and immigrant lives in the United States, this book probes the dynamics of immigrant politics, examining questions of identity and loyalty among newcomers, and explores the psychological consequences of varying modes of migration and acculturation. The authors look at patterns of settlement in urban America, discuss the problems of English-language acquisition and bilingual education, explain how immigrants incorporate themselves into the American economy, and examine the trajectories of their children from adolescence to early adulthood. With a vital new chapter on religion—and fresh analyses of topics ranging from patterns of incarceration to the mobility of the second generation and the unintended consequences of public policies—this updated edition is indispensable for framing and informing issues that promise to be even more hotly and urgently contested as the subject moves to the center of national debate..

Genres: Sociology, History, School, Nonfiction, Social Science

460 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Gemma Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am often disappointed by the quality of the science in social science books, especially when written for a lay audience. But this book does an excellent, comprehensive survey of all of the research on immigration over the past hundred years. It points out the flaws in much of the early research, and acknowledges the limitations of newer research that supports their own thesis. The book is dense as a result, but worth the effort. The only weakness I found was that the authors did not always make clear distinctions between the impacts and conditions of legal vs. illegal immigration, either lumping the two together or remaining unclear about what was actually included in the study. They did finally directly address the issue of illegal Mexican migration in the concluding chapter, but I would have enjoyed the book more if they had acknowledged the significance of this special case throughout the book.

[Michael McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I thank Professor Exequiel Hernandez of the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania for recommending this book to me, and I congratulate Professor Hernandez for his recent ascent to the ranks of tenured faculty at Wharton.

Reading "Immigrant America: A Portrait" was more than educational for me: it was a moving educational and emotional experience. In my opinion, the authors deserve Nobel Prizes. If there is no Nobel Prize in social science, then they deserve to share a Nobel Peace Prize for devoting their lives to the balanced study of "Immigrant America."

Sometimes I ask myself why I buy so many books. When I read a book like this one, after buying my copy and feeling that liberated feeling of being able to pencil up the margins with notes, it makes all of my book buying worthwhile. Some things, like a copy of "Immigrant America: A Portrait" need to be in my library forever.

I felt a sort of kindred spirit with the authors: they reminded me of really good intelligence officers in the military, laying out the facts, making recommendations and then concluding with predictions for the future.

I just hope that it isn't too late for me. This edition came out six years ago. But the tenets of the book hold true: we see reaction formation over and over again. Pete Wilson was voted out of office in California after supporting anti-immigrant immigrent legislation, replaced by the very people he sought to discriminate against.

And now we have a Chief Executive who seeks to do the same, by building a useless border wall and now ceasing all immigration for 60 days.

So, seeing as how I used to be an intelligence officer, let me make my own prediction based on reading Portes and Rumbaut. They write, "It is worth emphasizing that the growing political influence of the foreign-origin population is a fait accompli since it is based on a population that is already here."

So, the President can wear his stupid hat and send all kinds of workers to ramp up building the wall and have his little hissy fits about "ceasing all immigration for 60 days." Because right now I am calling on all of those people of the foreign-origin population that are already here to vote against the rat bastard and throw his skank ass the hell out of office at the first opportunity.

The message in 2020 to members of this Nation is anyone but Trump.

Thank you for reading my review.

[Meghan Niemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It felt like it had a good readability as well. I’m a second generation immigrant and reading this book was very helpful to understand my family and their immigration processes. I really hope the ending gets proposed as a real bill

[ASC Library]

304.8 Por

[Sonay Aykan · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good example of american way of sociological studies. starting with an individual story, going broader with some quantitative data and ending without any theoretical structure, no class relationship or metanarrative.

[Harsimran Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the definition of a living book. Its updates were much needed, considering the topic is ever-changing.

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tad bit biased, but interesting read.

[Mills College Library]

304.873 P849i 2014