French (a licensed clinical psychologist) and Manzana´rez (emer., political science, Western New Mexico Univ.) provide a timely examination of the relationship between immigration, capitalism, and racism in the US, and how this relationship shapes the current immigration debate, particularly the crisis along the US-Mexico border. The authors lay out their argument in the first chapter, and in subsequent chapters they provide a detailed history of how economic conditions in the US—beginning with aboriginal trade routes, colonial capitalism, and Manifest Destiny—tripled the size of the US because the country required a new labor source, particularly with the end of slavery, to take advantage of its vast natural resources. The authors contend that market conditions in the US create a cycle where migrants are needed to ensure economic growth, but the presence of migrants leads to racist actions and policies against them. The authors note that although the Trump administration’s policies concerning immigrants seem extreme, in fact much US immigration policy has had a racist foundation. The authors emphasize how the power of collective attribution bias exacerbates the problem: immigrants are treated as outsiders, which allows such policies to persist. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty.

Choice Reviews

A must-read book and one that readers will enjoy reading and find very informative. The book is timely based on recent issues involving current conflicts. It discusses how racism indirectly affected the growth of capitalism in North America. It discusses how white supremacy influenced relations between United States, Mexico, Canada, and indigenous people within the three countries from pre-colonial America to present day. It discusses the treatment of Asian immigrants. I especially enjoyed the discussion of the geo-political impact of the border conflicts and the war of drugs and minorities. The book establishes that immigration is a crucial component of the global economy.

Cliff Roberson, professor emeritus, Washburn University

This is a thoughtful scholarly book that is high relevant, not only because of its interpretation of group dynamics and important aspects of American economic history, but its application to today’s America.

Jeffrey Ian Ross, University of Baltimore