Humanizing Immigration: How to Transform Our Racist and Unjust System

by Bill Ong Hing

“Incisive and compelling, reflecting the painful wisdom and knowledge that Bill Ong Hing has accrued over the course of fifty years . . . ”—Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow

First book to argue that immigrant and refugee rights are part of the fight for racial justice; offers a humanitarian approach to reform and abolition

Representing non-citizens caught up in what he calls the immigration and enforcement “meat grinder”, Bill Ong Hing witnessed their trauma, arriving at this migrants should have the right to free movement across borders—and the right to live free of harassment over immigration status.

He cites examples of racial injustices endemic in immigration law and enforcement, from historic courtroom cases to the recent treatment of Haitian migrants. Hing includes histories of Mexican immigration, African migration and the Asian exclusion era, all of which reveal ICE abuse and a history of often forgotten racist immigration laws.

While ultimately arguing for the abolishment of ICE, Hing advocates for change now. With 50 years of law practice and litigation, Hing has represented non-citizens—from gang members to asylum seekers fleeing violence, and from individuals in ICE detention to families at the US southern border seeking refuge.

Hing maps out major reforms to the immigration system, making an urgent call for the adoption of a radical, racial justice lens. Readers will understand the root causes of migration and our country’s culpability in contributing to those causes.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Race, Activism

277 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 24, 2023

Reviews

[jet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful & empathetic look into the U.S.’s broken immigration system & presents a reasonable case for abolishing it. A decent bit went over my head but it served as a great introduction for me nonetheless.

[Evelyn]

Review subject to change after reading

I just received this book in the mail from a giveaway and I can't wait to read it! I'm really excited for it.

[Ron Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about our immigration system and the many flaws and inconsistencies that need to be fixed. The author does a great job explaining the major court cases and legislation, and how they are not applied consistently by the courts. A must read for anyone interested in immigrants, immigration and asylum.

[Katie Barron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immigration is about humanity, as this book so accurately demonstrates. Having been part of the immigration world I, too, have seen all of this in motion and it’s part of the reason I left. I have enormous respect for those who continue the good fight now and in the coming years, it’s going to take everything we have to keep going.

[Alondra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Perfect place to start if you feel like you don't know much about immigration. The book offers brief historical and legal overview/breakdown of immigration issues, as well as a call to action. Plenty of firsthand stories as well. An overall, well rounded book, I'd fully recommend!

[Jimmy Hickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised at how easy this was to read considering it's such a complex and charged topic. The stories told and the challenges faced are so sad but so necessary to know. Excellent read.

[Kristie Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. Depressingly realistic and honest. Preaching to the choir, as I can't see anyone opposed to immigration picking it up. Very sad as everything has just gotten incredibly worse since this book was written. Mr. Hing has a big heart and I wish there were more people like him.

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book and agree with virtually all of what Mr. Hing says and well written and researched. I put as a 3 mostly because, right now June 2025, I just can't see ANY changes for the better in immigration happening any time soon and many 'regressions' in policy. I guess I've lost hope. :(

[Betsy D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book after hearing Hing talk (on Zoom) at U of San Francisco. I found him engaging and very humane. The book is both, and the case histories of a few of the many immigrants he served as attorney and supporter are pretty interesting. There is also a fair amount of legal talk and statistics that make me think that his true audience is lawyers and policy-makers. I didn't enjoy it enough to read more than 2/3. It's definitely worth reading Goodreads' description. There are SO many people who want to come to the US right now that I can't quite buy into his open-borders approach. But his case is convincing that the enforcement of policies should be must fairer and sympathetic towards those who come.