Immigration legislation might be “dead for the year” in the House of Representatives, but it will be front and center at the American Historical Association’s 2014 annual meeting. On Friday, January 3, a panel of immigration historians will explore the impact of legislation on immigration and immigrants in the United States. Just as the conference as a whole offers a model of how disagreement can generate light amidst heated (but civil) debate, this session will offer an example of how historical thinking can inform a legislative agenda. Readers can also watch a video of our panelists participating in a congressional briefing on this topic, held recently in the Rayburn House Office building.

AHA Session 80

Friday, January 3, 2014: 10:30 AM–12:00 PM

Washington Room 4 (Marriott Wardman Park)

Chair: Alan Kraut, American University

Panel

Tyler Anbinder, George Washington University
Donna R. Gabaccia, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Mae M. Ngai, Columbia University

Session Abstract

This session will focus on the impact of federal legislation on immigration and immigrants. What are the sorts of issues that emerge from a historical understanding of the impact of immigration legislation?

This post first appeared on AHA Today.