Combining interviews and personal observation with facts and statistics, a compelling, well-balanced look at the major issues surrounding US immigration today, beginning with a historical overview of the subject. Personal stories and illustrative quotes propel a narrative in which facts are presented clearly, concisely, and with their sources cited. Drawing parallels between the current situation and the past, Ashabranner stresses immigration's positive effects, but he also presents problems realistically, describing the shift from European to Southeast Asian and Latin American immigration and discussing the differences between legal and illegal aliens and refugees. A section on Amerasians updates his Into a Strange Land (1987); a final chapter projects possibilities in the decades ahead. By his own admission, Ashabranner chooses to present only success stories for individuals; but he does cover the pros and cons of issues and tackle such difficult questions as whether immigrants take jobs from other Americans and whether they contribute to or detract from the economy. A careful, accessible treatment of a critical subject. B&w photos of varying quality, including some likable portraits; bibliography; index. (Nonfiction. 10+)
