America today is witnessing the largest and most sustained wave of immigrants its borders have ever seen. Although factors like the Great Depression, World War II, and quota restrictions had slowed the massive influx of Europeans from the early part of the 20th century, policies like the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act have relaxed quotas and opened America's doors to hundreds of thousands of immigrants a year, from both Eastern and Western hemispheres, to reach a height of over 9 million immigrants in the 1990s. Today, immigrants and policy-makers alike grapple with issues regarding employment, education, refugee status, and family reunification; as well as illegal immigrants-many from Mexico, whose legal immigration alone accounts for more than 20% of immigrants in the US. Despite this, this comprehensive reference source allows a glimpse of the same motivating factors that drove earlier immigrants through Ellis Island's gates-the promise of economic opportunity and the hope of a better life.

Over 70 A-Z entries address topical and timely aspects of modern US immigration, including:
; bilingual education
; domestic work
; employer sanctions
; gangs
; gender
; homeland security
; migrant education
; posttraumatic stress disorder
; stereotypes

James Loucky, Professor of Anthropology at Western Washington University, has worked with Latin American immigrant communities in the United States and Canada for twenty-five years. In addition to following the development of the transnational Maya population, he has collaborated with immigrant organizations and attorneys on refugee issues, community development, and education concerns. His teaching and research emphases include international migration, border regions, Latin America, human rights, and global problems.

Jeanne Armstrong is Associate Professor at Western Washington University and librarian liaison for several departments and programs including American Cultural Studies for which she is also an instructor. She is the author of Demythologizing the Romance of Conquest, and has co-authored articles on teaching library research.

Larry J. Estrada is Director of American Cultural Studies and Associate Professor at Fairhaven College, Western Washington University. His recent research and work includes the issues of immigration patterns between Mexico and the United States as well as the sociocultural implications of public policy related to indigenous folk healing and curanderismo in Mexico. Dr. Estrada has served as mayor of the City of Fort Collins, Colorado, and as Chair of the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs.