Immigration has always been a critical point of value in America’s prosperity. The “American Dream” would not be possible without the contribution of generations of immigrants to society, not to mention the priceless importance of multiculturalism. Despite this, the rhetoric surrounding immigration and its influence on U.S. institutions and ways of life has become increasingly hostile and rooted in misinformation. I recently read the book “How Migration Really Works: The Facts About the Most Divisive Issue in Politics” by Hein de Haas. I highly recommend it to everyone to better understand migration policies and national impact.
As we get farther into this election year, debates surrounding immigration are escalating. Still, people don’t understand the fundamentals of migration or how it truly affects the U.S. To mitigate this, Hein de Haas draws on decades of research to destroy myths and set the record straight. The book highlights tense topics like global migration not being at an all-time high, climate change not leading to mass migration, and immigration mainly benefiting the wealthy instead of workers. He also notes that border restrictions have produced more migration – something that is commonly misreported and viewed as the only “solution” to the migration “problem.”
I enjoyed this book because it is very relevant and gives a comprehensive perspective into some of society’s most pressing debates. I appreciate the author conveying migration realistically and providing a tool to help navigate some of America’s most divisive issues. If there is anything I know for sure, it is that the answers to our country’s sustainable success lie in unity and not in fear-mongering or inaccuracies. We need to do a better job of celebrating the diversity that makes our communities unique and learn how to coexist and thrive in harmony with our shared talents.
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