Migrating to Prison

Migrating to Prison examines the history and evolution of immigration imprisonment in the United States. The author traces how detention centers became a standard response to unauthorized migration, developing into a vast system that now confines hundreds of thousands of people annually. García Hernández draws on legal analysis, policy research, and personal accounts to document the expansion of immigration detention from the 1980s through present day. The book maps the convergence of immigration enforcement and criminal justice approaches, showing how practices from one system transferred to the other. Through investigation of detention facilities across the country, the text reveals the conditions faced by detained migrants and the operations of the detention industry. The roles of private prison companies, government agencies, and various political forces are examined in detail. The work raises fundamental questions about the intersection of human rights, sovereignty, and justice in U.S. immigration policy. By connecting historical patterns to current practices, the book provides a framework for understanding how immigration imprisonment became normalized in American society.

Readers describe this as an accessible introduction to immigration detention that presents complex policy history through clear explanations and real examples. Many note it serves as both a historical overview and a call to action. Liked: - Clear writing style that makes legal concepts understandable - Detailed research and extensive citations - Personal stories that illustrate broader issues - Practical suggestions for reform Disliked: - Some found the policy recommendations too radical - A few readers wanted more detailed solutions - Limited coverage of certain state-level detention practices Ratings: Goodreads: 4.26/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (47 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Explains the criminalization of immigration without getting lost in legal jargon" - Goodreads reviewer "Made me understand how we got here and what needs to change" - Amazon reviewer "Strong on history but light on realistic fixes" - Goodreads reviewer

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📚 The author was born to Mexican immigrant parents and grew up along the Texas-Mexico border, giving him firsthand insight into immigration issues. 🏛️ Prior to becoming a professor, García Hernández worked as an immigration lawyer representing clients in removal proceedings across the United States. ⚖️ Immigration imprisonment in the U.S. costs taxpayers approximately $2 billion annually, with private prison corporations operating many of these facilities. 🗓️ The practice of large-scale immigration detention is relatively new in American history - before the 1980s, immigration imprisonment was rare and exceptional. 🔄 The book reveals how immigration imprisonment transformed from a legal tool used sparingly into a mass detention system holding around 400,000 people annually.