Guarding The Golden Door Summary

“Guarding the Golden Door: American Immigration Policy and Immigrants Since 1882,” by Roger Daniels analyzes the United States’ immigration policy as one that has forever been flawed. Roger Daniels puts forward a clear yet through criticism of how racism, blind politics, and ignorance have all overtaken the immigration legislation since the past 140 years. Specifically, he claims, immigration laws have had an evocative effect on the immigrants during all eras and the issue has been magnified by the foreign threat nativist believe outsiders are bringing in. The prevailing belief during periods of restricted immigration to the United States was that alien groups, due to their innate inferiority, are not capable of absorbing the United States’ values and ideologies, and are a threat to the political institutions. Moreover, an increased flow of immigrants will trigger a loss of jobs that are rightfully for native citizens, will bring lower living standards, and overall annihilation of American values. This is seen with the rise of various factions such as the Know-Nothing Party and the Immigration Restriction League.

This book helps to interpret the ongoing debate on our nation's immigration policy, especially on the transformations after the September 11th attacks. This book, crafted by Daniels’s persuasive writing

With his academic prowess, Daniels is able to create a professional piece of literature book that has it all: solid, well-developed research and clear, cogent writing. His conclusions underline the absurdity that has plagued America’s immigration policies. Specifically, in his book, Daniels uses logos (logical and evidence-based reasoning) to assert his criticisms of the immigration legislation enacted since the past 140 years. This allows for an effective and thorough delivery of his commentary, which makes it easier for the reader to identify Daniels’