| The
book also has a chapter on public opinion, and the various
special interest groups and what they have accomplished. It
is basic information for those trying to fathom why we have
the laws we do.
The
authors remind us that there are vast numbers in our country
who are ambivalent about immigration, and there is no
national outcry forcing representatives to vote for
reductions. The authors also describe the disconnects
between leadership of groups and their members. For example,
labor union leaders encourage increased immigration because
it means more union members, while the rank and file oppose
it for fear of losing their jobs or seeing their wages
decline. In the many graphs the authors show about 83
percent of Republicans and 24 percent of the Democrats,
mostly southern ones, voting to restrict immigration when
the legislation concerns costs of benefits, etc. Edwards and
Gimpel conclude the current situation is one where interest
groups favoring restriction are outgunned by their opponents
now and for the foreseeable future.
Both
authors have worked in Congress. James Gimpel was an aide in
the Senate and House and is currently an associate professor
of government. James R. Edwards, Jr. served on the House
Immigration Conference Committee, and served on the Majority
Leader's Immigration Reform Working Group. Additionally, he
handled the Judiciary Committee assignment of Rep. Ed Bryant
of Tennessee.
—
by Carol Joyal
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