The Intersection of Race and Class in U.S. Immigration Law and Enforcement

Consideration of the intersection of race and class in American social life is timely in light of the 2008 Presidential election, which undeniably focused national attention on both race (with the first African American elected President) and class (with the nation reeling from the devastating impacts of the worst economic downturn in the U.S. economy since the Great Depression). In my estimation, there is no better body of law to illustrate the close nexus between race and class than U.S. immigration law and its enforcement. Put simply, U.S. immigration law historically has operated — and continues to operate — to prevent many poor and working noncitizens of color from migrating to, and harshly treating those living in, the United States.

For the rest of this article on the website of the Race Equity Project of Legal Servicices of Northern California, click here.

KJ