A Powerful Balanced Work for a New Generation of VotersMay 15, 2008 0 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book brings a highly documented balanced look at the immigration issue. Written from a strong Christian perspective, Hernandez evangelical faith guides him in his political stance on the undocumented worker. The reader will be challenged with strong footnoted research that Hernandez (who has a Ph.d in poetry) brings to his viewpoints. Hernandez hopes that the both political parties will hear his message. However, it is the Republican Party that can benefit the most from the "family values" oriented immigrants. Studies reveal a majority of the undocumented are to the right of most conservatives. Those who disagree with Hernandez will have a hard time finding authoratative research to back their arguement. Chrisitans will be warmed by how Dr. Hernandez led former Mexican President Vincente Fox to Christ. Those who cannot see that it is a "Good Samartian" philosophy that guides Hernandez writing, are sadly blinded by their own "heart issues of prejudice".
Randy H. Skinner Director of Urban Transformation Highland Park Presbyterian Church Dallas, Texas
God Bless US AmericaFebruary 22, 2008 1 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is a valuable contribution to the debate on the future of Mexico, America, and Mexicans in America. The middle part has thumbnail biographies of Mexicans who are living in the US, mostly illegally. These have excellent detail, introductory material that sets the stage, and enough direct quotes that you get a feel for the immigrant's personality and life situation.
Preceding that is an autobiography of author J. R. Hernandez, as well as some general comments on Mexican history and Mexican-American relations. This part helps the reader see where the author is coming from, and is particularly useful when there's a sudden turn into uncharted territory.
The concluding part offers some thoughts on legalization of illegal aliens currently in America, which the author is solidly for, economic development of Mexico, which the author thinks Canada and the US might be generous enough to fund, and the possible free movement of people across North America's borders.
American readers who prefer enforcement of their immigration laws will be incensed as they read repeated accounts of laws being ignored. The whole family eventually came? Driving without a license? Where was my government? Why weren't they stopping this? Let's throw the bums out and get someone in there who will enforce the laws!! Readers whose prefer forgiveness will find each biography to be of a person who should be granted amnesty. Such a wonderful person! Let this one stay! Let them all stay!!
This book won't change any minds, but it will give depth to everyone's knowledge of Mexicans illegally in the USA.
A minor, but important note: Hernandez often uses the peculiar term "U.S. America", as in "In today's U.S. America there is a vigorous emphasis on the controversial doctrine of separation of church and state." (p. 39) Huh? Perhaps for him the word "America" is ONLY to be used for that entity that has three parts: North, Central, and South. He might prefer new lyrics for the old song "God Bless US America/ Land that I love".
Despite its flaws, it's an honorable contribution to the immigration policy debate. Five stars.
i know why i'm afraidOctober 17, 2007 5 out of 6 found this review helpful
they are currently taking billions of dollars in social services from the taxpayers for welfare, medicine, schools and prisons; while sending billions home to mexico. what's not to love?
A Shameless Piece of PropagandaJune 2, 2007 13 out of 13 found this review helpful
The author is a paid propagandist for Mexico..what more needs to be said about his credibility. He has several objectives. One is that Latinos who become US citizens will think of themselves as Mexicans first...as he does. His second goal, is to reclaim the lands transferred via the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Gadsden Purchase because by today's standards, the price to was too low. Russians say the same thing about Catherine's sale of Alaska. The difference is the the Mexican Congress ratified both transactions. The Russians did not. Yet there is no movement in Russia comparable to the Reconquista or Astlan movement that many, no most Mexicans subscribe to. "We didn't cross the border, the border crossed us." is the war cry these enemies of America chant.
Mr Hernandez is dishonest. He quotes statistics showing that foreign-born residents are less likely to commit crime. True! But as Hernandez knows, that statistic in only true because legal immigrants are screened before they enter so those will criminal backgrounds are barred. But Hernandez puts illegal aliens in the same category as those fine people who proudly call themselves immigrants. He, for good reason, borrows the good reputation of legal immigrants to hide the high rate of criminal activity of illegal aliens..especially those from Latin America. Let's remember that an true immigrant moves to another country in accordance with that country's laws. Anyone else cannot lay claim to the title. One who enters a country wihout consent breaks the law. If they try to get a job, that's also against the law and if they present false documents to defraud an employer that is a serious crime and it is repeated each day that the person works. Anyone who, as Hernandez does, put such bad actors in the category of immigrant is dishonest and propagandist. Besides the race card (is there any more racist group than "El Conciio de la Raza") Hernandez also plays the guilt/sympathy card..referring often to the poverty in Latin American and these miserable conditions of it's inhabitants (owing to the corruption of the goverment who pays his salary).
Don't be deceived by Hernandez's phoney sob story. Try living in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ukraine, China, North Korea, Moldova, Belarus...(I could go on)...most of the world's countries are much poorer than Mexico.
The backstory about Hernandez is political power for himself and his cronies in the DF.. He dreams of the day Mexicans will be the majority in the United States and when that day comes, the rest of us will find that our sympathies for poor Latinos and our accomodation of their refusal to assimilate, have only sowed the seeds of another Hugo Chavez style take-over on American soil. Hernandez cannot accomplish his mission without pacifying non-latinos lest we oppose the invasion. And, he cannot pacify us unless he puts on his pattented smile and lies about the facts and true Mexican intentions. Therefore, he writes this piece of rubbish. Don't buy it...neither the book nor the smile.
From a different viewpointMarch 29, 2007 2 out of 8 found this review helpful
Juan Hernandez has been in the thick of things. Been there/ done that. Even if you don't share his viewpoints, his insights and experiences are well worth considering!
