Includes bibliographical references [343]-370 and index.
Contents:
21. Coda: The lottery age. 2. Getting legal -- 3. Past and present -- 4. Diversity -- 5. Immigration Act of 1990 -- 6. Winds of change -- 7. Green card lawyers -- Part II : 8. Walisu Alhassan -- 9. Structural adjustment -- 10. Luck -- 11. 419 and scams -- 12. Post office rumors -- 13. Falling Bush -- 14. Cyber cafés -- 15. Soft power -- 16. Return -- Part III : 17. Amadou Diallo -- 18. Homeland -- 19. Obama's return -- 20. Reform -- 21. "Shithole countries" -- Coda: The lottery age.
Summary:
"In 1990, the United States Diversity Visa Lottery became part of U.S. immigration policy. As with many U.S. immigration policies over the years, the actual lived experience of the lottery generated unintended and unexpected consequences, becoming more powerful and important than its creators could envision. Dreamland tells the story of the lottery, correcting the sometimes willful misconceptions of how it works, explaining its importance, and revealing what it has to teach us. Because the program was open to all countries that sent fewer than 50,000 immigrants in the previous five years, nearly all that had previously been shut out of the immigration system were suddenly eligible for consideration, including a vast swath of African nations. The lottery became an economic boon, as Africans provided visa-related services for fees, and used the annual event to bring in needed revenues to their photo shops, print stores, and cyber cafes. The policy fueled a rapid increase in African immigration to the United States, enriching U.S. life in the process"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.