Law and Race Commons^™

Arizona, Immigration, And Latinos: The Epistemology Of Whiteness, The Geography Of Race, Interest Convergence, And The View From The Perspective Of Critical Theory, George A. Martinez

Faculty Journal Articles and Book Chapters

In this article, the author analyzes a scheme of laws in Arizona regarding immigration and Latinos by using the powerful tools of contemporary critical theory, which have been especially developed to analyze issues of race such as those presented in the laws at issue. As discussed below, critical theory, as applied to Arizona, reveals (1) that the newly enacted scheme of laws reflects an epistemology of whiteness and operates to transform Arizona into a white geographical landscape; (2) that the outlawing of ethnic studies in Arizona is a corollary to the establishment of a white geographical space in Arizona; (3) …

Immigration And The Meaning Of United States Citizenship: Whiteness And Assimilation, George A. Martinez

Faculty Journal Articles and Book Chapters

At the outset of the twenty-first century, United States immigration policy has become one of the most pressing issues of our time. In recent years, we have witnessed, among other things, calls for dramatically restricting immigration in light of an alleged threat to American national identity, increased border enforcement associated with thousands of deaths on the United States/Mexico border, vigilante activity, special immigration procedures enacted for the "War on Terror," and mass marches protesting draconian immigration reform in cities across the United States. Against this background, this essay seeks to explore what immigration and the various issues it raises have …

Race And Immigration Law: A Paradigm Shift?, George A. Martinez

Faculty Journal Articles and Book Chapters

For many years, controversies impacting many areas of legal scholarship have left the field of immigration law virtually untouched. Thus, although other areas of law have felt the critique advanced by critical scholars, immigration law has proceeded as a virtually self-contained unit. In doing so, immigration law has developed a paradigm for legal research.

As Thomas Kuhn uses the term, a paradigm, or normal science, "suppl[ies] the foundation" for research in the area. Scholars who participate in a shared paradigm "are committed to the same rules and standards" for research, and the paradigm "define[s] the legitimate problems and methods of …

Latinos, Assimilation And The Law: A Philosophical Perspective, George A. Martinez

Faculty Journal Articles and Book Chapters

Although Latinos have been in the United States for many years, they have not been completely assimilated into mainstream American society. Separate Latino enclaves, as well as unique Latino cultural practices, demonstrate that Latinos have not fully assimilated. This article responds to those who advocate the use of legal means to ensure Latino assimilation. This article argues that one should reject pressure to assimilate, and instead recognize the worth of distinctive cultural traditions of Latinos and other minorities. Moreover, this article uses philosophical literature to designate important limits on the demand for Latinos and others to assimilate into dominant society. …