Anchor Babies and the Challenge of Birthright Citizenship

"Leo Chavez establishes two important truths with Anchor Babies and the Challenge of Birthright Citizenship: he reinforces the historical and continuing importance of 'citizenship' in defining our nation's character, and he documents the very real and significant impacts on children and families in how we talk about citizenship and how we seek to limit its availability. These are critical lessons for all who participate in policy debates today in America."
-Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel, MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) "This very readable book makes an enormously important contribution to the immigration debate. Leo Chavez carefully examines the history, rhetoric, and law of why those born in the United States are rightly accorded citizenship. Anchor Babies and the Challenge of Birthright Citizenship is a must-read for all future discussions about U.S. citizenship."
-Erwin Chemerinsky, author of The Conservative Assault on the Constitution "Leo Chavez has written a timely and compelling book that poses some of the most critical questions about citizenship and deservingness facing our nation today. Anchor Babies and the Challenge of Birthright Citizenship illuminates the human costs of drawing bright lines that exclude those born on U.S. soil-forced family separation, economic hardship, broken spirits, and a fractured nation. Analytically sharp, powerfully written, and cogently argued, this important book is essential reading for every American."
-Roberto G. Gonzales, author of Lives in Limbo: Undocumented and Coming of Age in America