Bill Hing: Institutional Racism, ICE Raids, and Immigration Reform

Be sure to check out Bill Hing’s latest article, Institutional Racism, ICE Raids, and Immigration Reform, 44 University of San Fransisco Law Review 1 (2009).  “This Article argues that the structure of immigration laws has institutionalized a set of values that dehumanize, demonize, and criminalize immigrants of color. The result is that these victims stop being Mexicans, Latinos, or Chinese and become “illegal immigrants.” We are aware of their race or ethnicity, but we believe we are acting against them because of their status, not because of their race. This institutionalized racism made the Bush ICE raids natural and acceptable in the minds of the general public. Institutionalized racism allows the public to think ICE raids are freeing up jobs for native workers without recognizing the racial ramifications.”

KJ