"Tough, Fair, and Practical"

Book excerpt: "Americans from all political perspectives agree that United States immigration laws need to be fixed. While some emphasize the need to be tough in enforcing immigration law, others emphasize the importance of fairness. International human rights law offers a practical framework embracing both of these policy goals that is in the interests of citizens and non-citizens alike. Tough, Fair, and Practical describes the human rights standards that should underpin any immigration reform legislation and makes practical recommendations to improve US law. The basic right to family unity, fair hearings, protection against arbitrary detention, workplace rights, and remedies for victims are enhanced for all persons in the United States if these rights are protected in immigration policy. While international human rights law recognizes every government's sovereign right to protect its borders, the pressure to achieve immigration reform cannot come at the cost of violating fundamental human rights."--P. [4] of cover.