New Books in Sociology Engage and Evade in 2025: Asad L. Asad on Latino Immigrants in America
Apr 13, 2025
In this conversation, Asad L. Asad, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Stanford University and author of Engage and Evade, sheds light on the experiences of Latino immigrant families in the U.S. He reveals how many undocumented individuals navigate governmental institutions, hoping for positive outcomes despite their precarious status. Asad emphasizes the importance of diverse motivations behind immigration—practical and emotional alike—and advocates for a shift in public perception to focus on the shared struggles of all working-class Americans.
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Engage and Evade Dynamic
- Latino immigrant families navigate a complex dance of engagement and evasion with government institutions.
- They balance fear of punishment with hope to live normal lives and contribute positively.
Fieldwork Among Dallas Latino Families
- Asad joined a study on how parents choose neighborhoods, interviewing Latino immigrant families in Dallas.
- These families offered insight into undocumented life outside legal aid or court settings, showing everyday challenges.
Bipartisan Immigration Enforcement
- Immigration enforcement infrastructure is largely bipartisan and longstanding, existing before Trump.
- Trump's administration unsettled immigrant expectations, increasing evasion due to unpredictability of enforcement.
