Review of THE IMMIGRATION BATTLE IN AMERICAN COURTS by Anna O. Law

THE IMMIGRATION BATTLE IN AMERICAN COURTS by Anna O. Law. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2010. 280pp. Cloth $90.00. ISBN: 9780521767088. Here is a review by Karen A. Woodrow-Lafield, Maryland Population Research Center, University of Maryland College Park.

The Immigration Battle in American Courts is an examination of the role of the two highest federal courts in treating aliens’ permission to enter or to remain in the United States given the traditions as a nation of immigrants and as having a commitment to equal treatment under the law. The core empirical inquiry is whether the Supreme Court of the United States and the U.S. Court of Appeals are contrasting in opposing and welcoming aliens’ claims for status. The central arguments are that each court’s unique institutional context serves to shape judges’ perception of roles, that each court’s role has been dynamic, and that evolving institutional settings have multiple consequences. Overall, the federal judiciary serves the roles and missions as conceived by the founders.

The conclusion:

“Law’s book is highly informative and gives valuable insights on the institution of the federal judiciary during an historic immigration era for the United States that has been characterized by legislated priorities for U.S. citizens. Setting aside the social policy issues, the control and abatement of unauthorized immigration is big business for many proponents, and it is encouraging that individuals are not lost within the judiciary system for immigration appeals. The chances of comprehensive immigration reform seem slim, but due process protections and a more moderated deportation-driven enforcement system may be the product of the judiciary appeals structure.”

KJ