For years, I’ve had a positive view of immigration based purely on intuition and personal experience; now I finally feel like I have some facts to back me up. Hernandez explains how research overwhelmingly demonstrates that immigrants have almost entirely positive effects on society, and that even the few negative effects are minor and short-lived. He does a good job of mixing relatable anecdotes with summaries of scientific studies to create an engaging, credible argument.
I was particularly surprised to learn that polls show most people (like 75%, at least in the U.S.) are pro-immigration. The anti-immigration folks are just very vocal and tend to present a more impactful, fear-based message. Hopefully this book can help turn things around.
As much as I enjoyed it, the book was also a little depressing given the current state of U.S. politics. The research is clear: we all stand to lose from the kinds of immigration policies that the incoming presidential administration plans to enact.