New Books in Political Science
Engage and Evade in 2025: Asad L. Asad on Latino Immigrants in America
Apr 15, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Asad L. Asad, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Stanford University and author of the illuminating book 'Engage and Evade,' dives into the intricate lives of Latino immigrant families in America. He shares how these families navigate surveillance and engage with government systems to optimize their immigration outcomes. Through personal narratives, he debunks myths about immigrants, highlighting their resilience amid changing policies. Asad advocates for understanding the complex motivations behind migration and the importance of supporting immigrant rights.
51:48
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Quick takeaways
- Undocumented immigrants often actively engage with government institutions like the IRS, hoping compliance may aid their immigration cases.
- The varied motivations for immigration among undocumented individuals highlight the complexity of their journeys, extending beyond narratives of violence to aspirations for better opportunities.
Deep dives
Navigating Government Institutions
Undocumented immigrants often engage with various government institutions while navigating their precarious legal status. Contrary to common assumptions, many undocumented individuals actively seek out interactions with agencies like the IRS and local police to ensure compliance and to foster hope for future immigration benefits. For instance, some undocumented immigrants file taxes using false social security numbers, motivated by the belief that paying taxes can help in their immigration cases. This paradox highlights their ongoing attempts to balance survival and legality within a system designed to marginalize them.
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