Maria Cristina Garcia, Howard A. Newman Professor of American Studies and Latina/o Studies at Cornell University in collaboration with other distinguished immigration historians launch website.
The 2016 presidential election brought a great deal of attention to immigration and immigrants in American society. Much of this debate perpetuated harmful stereotypes, dangerously stoked fears about outsiders, and echoed a nativist rhetoric that many believed had disappeared from public discourse. The debate also ignored how current discussions are deeply rooted in century-long conversations about who is allowed into the country and what it means to be an American. Indeed, anti-immigrant rhetoric and immigrant surveillance, detention, and deportation have been a defining feature of American politics and state and federal policy since the 19th century. “My colleagues and I crafted this syllabus to provide historical context to current debates,” said García. "Many Americans have a romanticized idea of the nation’s immigrant past. But then, like now, many politicians, public commentators, critics, and media organizations influenced Americans’ understanding of immigration and the role that immigrants play in U.S. society. We hope our suggested readings, primary sources, and multimedia sources will help educators and citizens in their teaching and public discussions. The syllabus might even help policymakers avoid the mistakes of the past." #ImmigrationSyllabus
