1st Edition

Performing Citizenship Undocumented Migrants in the United States

By Mary McThomas Copyright 2016
120 Pages
by Routledge

120 Pages
by Routledge

120 Pages
by Routledge

Undocumented migrants in the United States raise compelling questions about political legitimacy, obligation, and citizenship. If they are truly members of their communities, should they have a voice in the laws and policies that impact their lives? Should their interests be considered, especially in light of exploitation by employers, the possibility of detention and the threat of deportation?... Read more

1. Introduction

2. The Limitations of Existing Theories of Citizenship

3. Flipping our Understanding of Political Obligation

4. Dare to DREAM: State-level Versions of the DREAM Act

5. Rights v. Privileges: Driver Authorization Cards

6. Conclusion

Biography

Mary McThomas is Assistant Professor of Political Science at California State University, Channel Islands. Her primary research interests include political theories of citizenship, immigration law and politics, the right to privacy, gender and politics, and political ethics.

'Dr. Mary McThomas, in her ground breaking book, provides a much needed re-examination or re-interpretation of the concept of "citizenship" in the U.S. By challenging the narrow and restrictive concept of "citizenship" with her "performing citizenship" counter-narrative, she provides us all—scholars, elected officials, residents, etc.—with a more inclusion and just approach of how we treat the most vulnerable among us: undocumented immigrants. Given the rise of xenophobia in this country, not just with Donald Trump but also with his many supporters and like-minded American leaders, those of us who seek justice and dignity for "the other," need to reconsider existing theories and paradigms that perpetuate a system of inequality and exploitation for those who live and work in America’s shadows.' - Alvaro Huerta, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of urban and regional planning and ethnic and women’s studies at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He is the author of Reframing the Latino Immigration Debate: Towards a Humanistic Paradigm.