The Criminalization of Immigration: Contexts and Consequences Edited by Alissa Ackerman, PhD & Rich Furman, MSW, PhD Teaching material provided by: Douglas Epps Copyright © 2014 Carolina Academic Press. All rights reserved.

Chapter 1 Introduction: The Changing Tide of America and the Criminalization of Immigration Immigration is one of the hottest topics in discourse. – key values about what it means to be an “an American” – Internet and other mass media has increased visibility of immigration Emotional and value-laden narratives of immigration – We are a country that was built by and for immigrants with each generation of immigrants. Influences how US handles immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Copyright © 2014 Carolina Academic Press. All rights reserved.

Chapter 1 Introduction: The Changing Tide of America and the Criminalization of Immigration – America is a country for Americans, and is threatened by a nefarious other: the immigrant The immigrant is often viewed as a threat to physical and moral survival September 11th, 2001, has altered our relationship to “the [immigrant] other.” – Threatened our senses of security. – The Internet made this a far more powerful assault in the minds of Americans. Copyright © 2014 Carolina Academic Press. All rights reserved.

Chapter 1 Introduction: The Changing Tide of America and the Criminalization of Immigration 4. Americans were attacked from inside by those perceived as others—the immigrant. – Nativist and racist sentiments were inflamed by President George W. Bush’s – This "other” had now become the enemy. A pacification strategy was needed (Ch. 2)—the criminalization of immigration – Rise of nativism in the United States – The criminalization of immigration reflects an extreme response to our own fears of our future Copyright © 2014 Carolina Academic Press. All rights reserved.

Chapter 1 Introduction: The Changing Tide of America and the Criminalization of Immigration Nativism has led to calls for comprehensive immigration reform – The Supreme Court—immigration policy is in the purview of the federal government According to federal law, undocumented immigration is an administrative violation States are passing state laws that criminalize undocumented immigrant lives – Dramatic increase in immigration related bills at the state level over the last several years Copyright © 2014 Carolina Academic Press. All rights reserved.

Chapter 2 The Problematization of Immigration as a Pacification Strategy Numerous presidential campaigns have focused on the “problem” of immigration These political strategies coincide with the problematization of immigration—immigration is utilized in strategic terms. – National security, terrorism, job creation and loss, the overall health of the economy, general crime and even sex crimes. – Serves a powerful function of attempting to pacify the American public by using immigration as a strategy of pacification. Copyright © 2014 Carolina Academic Press. All rights reserved.

Chapter 2 The Problematization of Immigration as a Pacification Strategy Pacification as a Strategy Pacification creates a sense of peace and order Pacification contains two interrelated approaches: – construction and reconstructing (or politics and force) – Means of achieving security rely on a society’s idea of what is insecure Security is used as a way of achieving pacification culturally, economically, politically and socially in three ways: – restoring security through political and economic force – deconstruction and reconstruction – social reconstruction through military and/or police force The U.S.-Mexico border has served several purposes for the U.S. – For most of US history the boundary was only periodically enforced In the 1990s immigration became a problem that was widely accepted Copyright © 2014 Carolina Academic Press. All rights reserved.

Chapter 2 The Problematization of Immigration as a Pacification Strategy Undocumented Immigration as a Tool of Pacification Pacification Mechanism 1—“Threats” of Illegal Immigrants – The permanent insecurity is the ability of the “other” to invade societies occupied by “us.” – The increased policing of borders separating one population from another is instigated and achieved by the country with more capital & more insecurities – The perceived threats of “illegal” immigrants serves as responses to economic and social problems. Blame the “other” and citizens will not notice structural problems – Increase in problematization of anti-immigrant sentiments post 9/11, but some evidence of it exists in the 1990s. Copyright © 2014 Carolina Academic Press. All rights reserved.

Chapter 2 The Problematization of Immigration as a Pacification Strategy Undocumented Immigration as a Tool of Pacification Pacification Mechanism 2—Criminalizing Immigration – Several states have used anti-immigration laws to addresses citizens’ fears of crimes that may be committed by undocumented immigrants. Alabama’s H.B. 56 law—makes it a felony for an undocumented immigrant to enter into contracts with the state. Arizona’s S.B law—encourages law enforcement to verify the immigration status of anyone suspected of being an “illegal.” The effect of immigration policy has not only been on undocumented immigrants and transmigrants, but on Latinos themselves. Copyright © 2014 Carolina Academic Press. All rights reserved.

Chapter 2 The Problematization of Immigration as a Pacification Strategy Undocumented Immigration as a Tool of Pacification Pacification Mechanism 3—Immigration Detention and the Incarcerative Industrial Complex – The criminalization of immigration further justifies the building up of the criminal industrial complex. Copyright © 2014 Carolina Academic Press. All rights reserved.

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