Wetback Nation by Peter Laufer

Wetback Nation by Peter Laufer

Peter Laufer's explosive proposals for the U.S.-Mexican border go far beyond President Bush's initiative to ease restrictions on immigration. Mr. Laufer argues that the border with Mexico should be completely open, with a free flow of people between the two countries. He offers a step-by-step blueprint for making it happen. Wetback Nation is also the background to understanding the Bush proposals: the story of how the border has become a fraud, resulting in nothing more than the criminalization of Mexican and other migrants, the bloating of the mismanaged Immigration and Naturalization Service, the deterioration of living standards along the frontier, and the enrichment of American employers.

Laufer makes a powerful personal argument for opening the border* Zavala County Sentinel (Texas) *
Sure to ignite debate over immigration policy, and Laufer deserves credit for confronting the issue in terms both honest and human. * San Antonio Express-News *
A scathing critcism and systematic analysis of America's closed border policy with Mexico. * Foreword Reviews *
Laufer describes the realities of cross-border migration…citing the futility of current policies. * Los Angeles Times *
Probably [Laufer's] best book—a warm and humane treatment of a fascinating subject.…A pleasure to read. * Santa Rosa, Ca Press-Democrat *
One of the more unusual and important surveys of Mexican relations and immigration standards to appear in modern times. * Midwest Book Review *
A captivating, informative read infused with a deep and genuine empathy for those who suffer the most under current immigration policy. * San Francisco Chronicle *
Makes a strong case for simply opening the border....Fascinating. * Austin American Statesman *
His book is not only informative but also engaging. He fills his pages with faces, not just facts. -- Autumn Phillips * The Steamboat Pilot, Steamboat, Springs, Co *
Mr. Laufer writes with great empathy...He does succeed in putting a human face on Mexicans who risk everything...in pursuit of better opportunity. -- Robert Rivard * New York Sun *
Laufer is willing to take a controversial stand and defend it. -- Santiago Fittipaldi * Latin Trade *
This is a fascinating book....This book doesn't hold back just to be politically correct. -- Nola Theiss * Sanibel Captiva Islander *
This book looks at the issue of immigration from Mexico from a startling perspective....a fascinating book...doesn't hold back. * Kliatt *
Laufer’s journalistic approach to this issue makes a very compelling case that immigration is not strictly a law enforcement issue. -- Linda Yanez, former Instructor, Immigration Law Clinic, Harvard Law School; Head of Immigration, Clinton-Gore Presidential Transition Team
I love the book. Wetback Nation is an extraordinary journalistic contribution to the Mexican immigration debate. -- Rosental Calmon Alves, Professor & Knight Chair in Journalism, Director, Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas, University of Texas at Austin
Peter Laufer understands this issue better than most and...offers some outrageously simple—and quite possibly workable—solutions to a very old problem. -- Sanford J. Ungar, author of Fresh Blood: The New American Immigrants
Fearlessly, Peter Laufer steps into the middle of the debate and states his case...making points that will leave people shaking their heads....A primary text. -- Luis Alberto Urrea, author of Across the Wire and The Devil's Highway