Take Final

Please answer one of the following six questions. Your answer should be between 6 and 8 double spaced pages. Please give a full citation (author and full title) for each reading you choose to discuss, and include page numbers when you use quotations, and use endnotes instead of footnotes.

1. Choose two or three readings/films from the semester to analyze “illegal immigration.” How has itdeveloped historically? Who/what constitutes illegality? What are the different factors that go into this production? What is its relationship to immigrant labor? To criminalization? In your opinion, what is the relationship between “illegal immigration” and a conception of the United States?

Illegal Immigration Policy: Disguised Xenophobia
Final Exam
Karen Zamora



In The Homeland,Aztlan, Anzaldua opens a discussion about the open wound of the U.S.-Mexican border. In other words, the author explores the history of Mexican immigration to the United States and the legacy that it has left in the Chicano people. More specifically, Anzaldua explains the reason for migration, the overwhelming journey to the Unites States and the eternal stereotype of the mojado. Furthermore,Anzaldua provides the reader with specific historical details about the origins of Aztlan, the Mexican-American war and the contemporary illegal crossing. In addition, the author discusses the push factors that lead to Mexican immigration such as gang violence, Mexico’s economic dependency on the U.S. and the idea of the American Dream.
Anzaldua also stresses the importance of the mestizo identityfrom an immigration standpoint. The author suggests that Chicano culture is a natural consequence of racial interaction and that the idea of white supremacy is regressive and absurd. In other words, Anzaldua argues that the mestizo people should considering building an alliance with whites (La Conciencia de la Mestiza, 107). The author also invites to reader to consider the importance of recoveringthe Mexican culture as a way to seek self-respect and public restitution.
In conclusion, Anzaldua’s pieces create awareness of the perpetual struggle of immigration and the cultural consequences that it brings about. Moreover, Anzaldua gives a voice to the Chicano people by accepting the history and legacy that Mexican immigration left. It is important to consider that Anzaldua respects thehistory of Mexican immigration and talks about the idea of a new culture in which being a Chicano or a Chicana is not a synonym of being ashamed or vulnerable.
Illegal + Un-American = Disposable
Response Paper
Karen Zamora

Grace Chang unravels the complex story of the United States immigration policies towards migrant women that are forced to abandon their home countries in order to provide fortheir families. Moreover, Chang explores the push and pull factors that trigger migration as well as the extra burden that immigrant women acquire after immigrating to the host countries.
Chang argues that the power relations between the First and the Third World nations have been perpetuated by First World elites that control policy making and laws in order to favor their interests and concealinjustice. Although Chang talks about several First World Nations that are involved in the exploitation of workfare workers and immigrant women, she focuses on the relations between the U.S. and its abused immigrant women workers. To exemplify her thesis, Chang expands on the impact that immigrants and workfare workers have in the U.S. economy. More specifically, Chang provides information on theexploitative wages, physical and mental abuse and lack of benefits that these groups are obligated to live with. Furthermore, the author discusses the subordinate role that these vulnerable groups are forced to play in order to gain and maintain an immigration status or to repay their debts to society.
Another fascinating theme that Chang uses is the dichotomy of nationality. Chang demonstrates...