From the Bookshelves: New Immigration Book: “We Are Not Dreamers” co-edited by Leisy J. Abrego and Genevieve Negrón-Gonzales

I found out about this fascinating new book on My Undocumented Life: Up to Date Information & Resources for Immigrants:

We Are Not Dreamers: Undocumented Scholars Theorize Undocumented Life in the United Statesmakes a critical and much-needed contribution to ongoing debates about immigration from the lens of emerging immigration scholars who identify as currently or formerly undocumented. The book is co-edited by leading immigration scholars Leisy J. Abrego (UCLA) and Genevieve Negrón-Gonzales (USF) and it features the work of ten undocumented, DACAmented, or recently formerly undocumented students in California and their scholarly/personal engagement with the topic of illegality.

Here’s a brief overview of the book: “The widely recognized ‘Dreamer narrative’ celebrates the educational and economic achievements of undocumented youth to justify a path to citizenship. While a well-intentioned, strategic tactic to garner political support of undocumented youth, it has promoted the idea that access to citizenship and rights should be granted only to a select group of ‘deserving’ immigrants. The contributors to We Are Not Dreamers—themselves currently or formerly undocumented—poignantly counter the Dreamer narrative by grappling with the nuances of undocumented life in this country. Theorizing those excluded from the Dreamer category—academically struggling students, transgender activists, and queer undocumented parents—the contributors call for an expansive articulation of immigrant rights and justice that recognizes the full humanity of undocumented immigrants while granting full and unconditional rights. Illuminating how various institutions reproduce and benefit from exclusionary narratives, this volume articulates the dangers of the Dreamer narrative and envisions a different way forward.”

You can now read the book’s introduction for free and/or purchase a copy of the book directly from Duke University Press.

KJ