Immigration: Public Legislation and Private Bills

by Bernadette Maguire

Overview

Immigration laws have encompassed a wide variety of purposes by reuniting families, invigorating the country with new skills, and rescuing victims of war. This book brings a human dimension to the enactment of these laws through a review of over 600 precedent private bill cases and their impact on public policy. It charts the legislative process of these cases, including the defeat of such controversial bills as Martina Navratilova's quest for expedited citizenship and the FBI's 1980 ABSCAM sting. Contents: What is a Private Bill?; Rules Governing Private Bills; The Process; Public Legislation and Private Bills; Controversy; Bibliography; Index.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761807919
Publisher:	University Press of America
Publication date:	07/28/1997
Series:	5, Philosophy; 181
Pages:	600
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Bernadette Maguire is former Staff Member, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives, 1974-1991.

Editorial Reviews

There are few texts that even address the role and impact of private law, and no others that do so in anywhere near as systematic and thorough a way as Maguire's. Her book is a valuable resource not only for immigration experts, but also for scholars of the legislative process.

Elizabeth Hull

Reveals the drama of private immigration bills, exposing the human toll and unintended consequences that immigration laws can have on individuals. Contains chapters on background, rules governing private bills, the private bill process, public legislation and private bills, and controversy. Includes appendices of documents and case summaries. Some cases have been chosen because of their unique aspects, and others have been selected because they represent a trend in a particular area leading to changes in the general law. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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