The Myth of the "Bad" Immigrant

Immigrant communities are often asked to “get right with the law,” but is the law right in the first place? That’s what our guest Alina Das asks in her new book No Justice in the Shadows. She taps her experience as the daughter of immigrants and as an immigration attorney to ask whether immigrants who violate the law should be detained or deported. Too often, she argues, our immigration system is used as a tool of discrimination and oppression, rather than as a tool of justice, and the consequences are dire. Our current immigration system is breaking up families, forcing people to face persecution – even death – in their home countries, and it’s all based on a false premise of ensuring public safety and national security. Das is a professor of clinical law and supervising attorney at NYU School of Law. She is also the Co-Director of the Immigrant Rights Clinic. We’ve got some exciting news here at At Liberty. Starting on September 15th, we’re launching a special 2020 voting series called At the Polls. This will be in addition to our normal At Liberty episodes. Each week, we’re answering a new question about voting rights in the lead up to the presidential election. If you have a question you’d like us to answer, call us and leave a message at 212-549-2558. Or, email [email protected]. We so look forward to hearing from you. And until next time, stay strong.