Strange Neighbors

Since its founding, the U.S. has struggled with

issues of federalism and states’ rights. In almost every area of law, from

abortion to zoning, conflicts arise between the states and the federal

government over which entity is best suited to create and enforce laws. In the

last decade, immigration has been on the front lines of this debate, with

states such as Arizona taking an extremely assertive role in policing

immigrants within their borders. While Arizona and its notorious SB 1070 is the

most visible example of states claiming expanded responsibility to make and

enforce immigration law, it is far from alone. An ordinance in

Hazelton, Pennsylvania prohibited landlords from renting to the undocumented. Several

states have introduced legislation to deny citizenship to babies who are born

to parents who are in the United States without authorization. Other states

have also enacted legislation aimed at driving out unauthorized migrants.

Strange Neighbors explores the complicated and complicating role

of the states in immigration policy and enforcement, including voices from both

sides of the debate. While many contributors point to the dangers inherent in

state regulation of immigration policy, at least two support it, while others

offer empirically-based examinations of state efforts to regulate immigration

within their borders, pointing to wide, state-by-state disparities in

locally-administered immigration policies and laws. Ultimately, the book offers

an extremely timely, thorough, and spirited discussion on an issue that will

continue to dominate state and federal legislatures for years to come.