"They Take Our Jobs!"

What's "They Take Our Jobs!" by Aviva Chomsky about?

• Debunking Myths: The book addresses 21 common myths about immigration in the United States, challenging misconceptions and providing historical context.
• Economic Impact: It explores the economic roles of immigrants, arguing against the belief that they take jobs from American citizens.
• Legal and Racial Issues: Chomsky examines the legal framework and racial dynamics that have historically shaped U.S. immigration policy.
• Historical Context: The book provides a historical perspective on how U.S. policies have influenced immigration patterns and attitudes.

Why should I read "They Take Our Jobs!" by Aviva Chomsky?

• Informed Perspective: Gain a well-researched understanding of immigration issues, debunking common myths with factual evidence.
• Historical Insight: Learn about the historical context of immigration laws and their impact on current policies.
• Broader Understanding: The book offers insights into the economic, legal, and racial aspects of immigration, providing a comprehensive view.
• Challenge Preconceptions: It encourages readers to question and rethink widely held beliefs about immigrants and their role in society.

What are the key takeaways of "They Take Our Jobs!" by Aviva Chomsky?

• Myth Busting: The book systematically debunks myths about immigrants taking jobs, not paying taxes, and being a drain on the economy.
• Economic Contributions: Immigrants contribute significantly to the economy, often taking jobs that are hard to fill and paying taxes.
• Legal Discrimination: U.S. immigration laws have historically been shaped by racial and economic discrimination.
• Global Context: Immigration is part of a larger global system influenced by historical and economic factors.

How does Aviva Chomsky debunk the myth that immigrants take American jobs?

• Global Economy: Chomsky argues that the global economy makes the concept of "American jobs" outdated, as jobs are not confined by national borders.
• Job Creation: Immigrants often create jobs by increasing demand for goods and services, which can lead to more employment opportunities.
• Economic Shifts: The decline in certain job sectors is more related to economic shifts like deindustrialization and deregulation than to immigration.
• Elastic Job Market: The job market is elastic, meaning that population growth can lead to job creation rather than job scarcity.

What does Aviva Chomsky say about immigrants and taxes in "They Take Our Jobs!"?

• Tax Contributions: Immigrants, regardless of their legal status, pay various taxes, including sales, property, and income taxes.
• Social Security: Many undocumented immigrants contribute to Social Security without being able to claim benefits, effectively subsidizing the system.
• Informal Economy: While some immigrants work in the informal economy, this is not unique to them and also includes citizens.
• Economic Benefit: Overall, immigrants contribute more in taxes than they consume in public services, especially at the federal level.

How does "They Take Our Jobs!" address the myth that immigrants are a drain on the economy?

• Economic Contribution: Immigrants contribute to the economy by filling essential roles and paying taxes.
• Local vs. Federal Impact: While immigrants may use local services, they contribute significantly to federal taxes, often more than they receive in benefits.
• Generational Accounting: The book discusses how the descendants of immigrants contribute more in taxes over time, balancing initial costs.
• Misconceptions: Chomsky argues that the perception of immigrants as a drain is based on misconceptions and selective data.

What insights does Aviva Chomsky provide on U.S. immigration laws?

• Historical Discrimination: U.S. immigration laws have historically been shaped by racial and economic discrimination, favoring certain groups over others.
• Legal Complexity: The book explains the complexity of immigration laws and how they create arbitrary distinctions between "legal" and "illegal" immigrants.
• Policy Impact: Chomsky discusses how policies have been used to control and exploit immigrant labor while denying them rights.
• Reform Needs: The book advocates for more humane immigration policies that recognize the contributions of immigrants.

How does "They Take Our Jobs!" explore the relationship between immigration and race?

• Racial Constructs: Chomsky examines how racial constructs have influenced immigration policies and public perceptions.
• Historical Context: The book provides historical examples of how race has been used to justify exclusionary immigration laws.
• Assimilation Challenges: It discusses the challenges faced by immigrants of color in assimilating into a society structured by racial inequality.
• Ongoing Issues: The book highlights how racial dynamics continue to affect immigration debates and policies today.

What does Aviva Chomsky say about the global context of immigration?

• Colonial Legacy: Immigration patterns are influenced by historical colonial relationships, with people moving from former colonies to colonizing countries.
• Economic Inequality: Global economic inequality drives migration, as people seek better opportunities in wealthier countries.
• Policy Influence: U.S. foreign and economic policies have contributed to conditions that drive immigration from certain regions.
• Interconnected Systems: The book emphasizes that immigration is part of a larger global system shaped by historical and economic factors.

What are the best quotes from "They Take Our Jobs!" and what do they mean?

• "Immigrants are blamed for a host of social ills and compared unfavorably to previous generations of immigrants." This quote highlights the scapegoating of immigrants for societal problems, despite their contributions.
• "The prosperity of some within our borders has always depended on the cheap labor of others from both inside and outside our borders." It underscores the historical reliance on immigrant labor for economic growth.
• "There is no real logic to excluding people from rights based on immigration or citizenship status." This challenges the fairness of laws that deny rights to immigrants.
• "Expanding democratic rights downward benefits everyone, especially those at the lower end." It advocates for extending rights to immigrants as a means of improving society as a whole.

How does Aviva Chomsky address the myth that immigrants don't assimilate?

• Language Acquisition: Immigrants are learning English at similar rates to past generations, with many becoming bilingual.
• Cultural Integration: While immigrants maintain cultural ties, they also integrate into American society, contributing to its diversity.
• Racial Barriers: The book discusses how racial barriers, rather than a lack of assimilation, often hinder immigrants' upward mobility.
• Generational Changes: Over generations, immigrant families tend to assimilate more fully, with children and grandchildren adopting American cultural norms.

What solutions does Aviva Chomsky propose for immigration issues in "They Take Our Jobs!"?

• Policy Reform: Chomsky advocates for humane immigration policies that recognize the contributions of immigrants and provide pathways to legalization.
• Economic Justice: Addressing global economic inequality is crucial to reducing the need for migration and improving conditions in immigrants' home countries.
• Rights Expansion: Extending full legal rights to immigrants would reduce exploitation and improve their ability to contribute to society.
• Global Cooperation: The book calls for international cooperation to create a more equitable global system that addresses the root causes of migration.