Imaginary Lines

Border Enforcement and the Origins of Undocumented Immigration, 1882-1930

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, Emigration & Immigration, History, Americas
Cover of the book Imaginary Lines by Patrick Ettinger, University of Texas Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Patrick Ettinger ISBN: 9780292782082
Publisher: University of Texas Press Publication: January 1, 2010
Imprint: University of Texas Press Language: English
Author: Patrick Ettinger
ISBN: 9780292782082
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Publication: January 1, 2010
Imprint: University of Texas Press
Language: English

Although popularly conceived as a relatively recent phenomenon, patterns of immigrant smuggling and undocumented entry across American land borders first emerged in the late nineteenth century. Ingenious smugglers and immigrants, long and remote boundary lines, and strong push-and-pull factors created porous borders then, much as they do now.

Historian Patrick Ettinger offers the first comprehensive historical study of evolving border enforcement efforts on American land borders at the turn of the twentieth century. He traces the origins of widespread immigrant smuggling and illicit entry on the northern and southern United States borders at a time when English, Irish, Chinese, Italian, Russian, Lebanese, Japanese, Greek, and, later, Mexican migrants created various "backdoors" into the United States. No other work looks so closely at the sweeping, if often ineffectual, innovations in federal border enforcement practices designed to stem these flows.

From upstate Maine to Puget Sound, from San Diego to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, federal officials struggled to adapt national immigration policies to challenging local conditions, all the while battling wits with resourceful smugglers and determined immigrants. In effect, the period saw the simultaneous "drawing" and "erasing" of the official border, and its gradual articulation and elaboration in the midst of consistently successful efforts to undermine it.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Although popularly conceived as a relatively recent phenomenon, patterns of immigrant smuggling and undocumented entry across American land borders first emerged in the late nineteenth century. Ingenious smugglers and immigrants, long and remote boundary lines, and strong push-and-pull factors created porous borders then, much as they do now.

Historian Patrick Ettinger offers the first comprehensive historical study of evolving border enforcement efforts on American land borders at the turn of the twentieth century. He traces the origins of widespread immigrant smuggling and illicit entry on the northern and southern United States borders at a time when English, Irish, Chinese, Italian, Russian, Lebanese, Japanese, Greek, and, later, Mexican migrants created various "backdoors" into the United States. No other work looks so closely at the sweeping, if often ineffectual, innovations in federal border enforcement practices designed to stem these flows.

From upstate Maine to Puget Sound, from San Diego to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, federal officials struggled to adapt national immigration policies to challenging local conditions, all the while battling wits with resourceful smugglers and determined immigrants. In effect, the period saw the simultaneous "drawing" and "erasing" of the official border, and its gradual articulation and elaboration in the midst of consistently successful efforts to undermine it.

More books from University of Texas Press

Cover of the book The Road to Love Canal by Patrick Ettinger
Cover of the book Imperial Texas by Patrick Ettinger
Cover of the book Authentic Texas by Patrick Ettinger
Cover of the book In Order to Talk with the Dead by Patrick Ettinger
Cover of the book After Hitchcock by Patrick Ettinger
Cover of the book Mexico and the Spanish Cortes, 1810–1822 by Patrick Ettinger
Cover of the book Jean-Claude Grumberg by Patrick Ettinger
Cover of the book Constituent and Pattern in Poetry by Patrick Ettinger
Cover of the book Panama Odyssey by Patrick Ettinger
Cover of the book Midcentury Modern Art in Texas by Patrick Ettinger
Cover of the book Conversations with Texas Writers by Patrick Ettinger
Cover of the book Surrealism in Greece by Patrick Ettinger
Cover of the book Prospero's Daughter by Patrick Ettinger
Cover of the book Speech Play and Verbal Art by Patrick Ettinger
Cover of the book Energy and Structure by Patrick Ettinger
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy