The Truth About Immigration

Why Successful Societies Welcome Newcomers

By: Zeke Hernandez

Narrated by: André Santana, Zeke Hernandez

"Santana's engaging narration makes the audiobook not just informative but also compelling. He captures the listener's attention whether he's discussing the historical context of immigration policies or exploring contemporary debates. Santana's delivery ensures that listeners remain thoroughly engaged throughout this audiobook."—AudioFile

This program features an introduction, afterword, and acknowledgements read by the author.

The go-to book on immigration: fact-based, comprehensive, and nonpartisan.

Immigration is one of the most controversial topics in the United States and everywhere else. Pundits, politicians, and the public usually depict immigrants as either villains or victims. The villain narrative is that immigrants pose a threat—to our economy because they steal our jobs; our way of life because they change our culture; and to our safety and laws because of their criminality. The victim argument tells us that immigrants are needy outsiders—the poor, huddled masses whom we must help at our own cost if necessary. But the data clearly debunks both narratives. From jobs, investment, and innovation to cultural vitality and national security, more immigration has an overwhelmingly positive impact on everything that makes a society successful.

In The Truth About Immigration, Wharton professor Zeke Hernandez draws from nearly 20 years of research to answer all the big questions about immigration. He combines moving personal stories with rigorous research to offer an accessible, apolitical, and evidence-based look at how newcomers affect our local communities and our nation. You'll learn about the overlooked impact of immigrants on investment and job creation; realize how much we take for granted the novel technologies, products, and businesses newcomers create; get the facts straight about perennial concerns like jobs, crime, and undocumented immigrants; and gain new perspectives on misunderstood issues such as the border, taxes, and assimilation.

Most books making a case for immigration tell you that immigration is good for immigrants. This book is all about how newcomers benefit you, your community, and your country. Skeptics fear that newcomers compete economically with locals because of their similarities and fail to socially assimilate because of their differences. You'll see that it's exactly the opposite: newcomers bring enduring economic benefits because of their differences and contribute positively to society because of their similarities. Destined to become the go-to book on one of the most important issues of our time, this book turns fear into hope by proving a simple truth: immigrants are essential for economically prosperous and socially vibrant nations.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Zeke Hernandez (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"A highly readable, potentially influential contribution to the literature on immigration."—Kirkus (starred)

"America needs more immigrants. That’s the message of this important new book by Zeke Hernandez. Cutting through the noise and misinformation that colors this debate, it marshals detailed data and moving personal stories to show how immigrants of all backgrounds and skill levels drive investment, innovation, and jobs; do essential work that Americans shy away from; create widespread economic gains; and make our cities and communities stronger and safer."—Richard Florida, author of The Rise of the Creative Class

“Debates about immigration are at the forefront of politics, but they’re rarely informed by data. Zeke Hernandez has spent his career studying how immigrants affect our lives and our livelihoods, and his research is filled with results that will surprise both liberals and conservatives. Wherever you stand ideologically, his book will challenge you to rethink some of your views and reconsider the potential in people from foreign countries.”—Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Potential and Think Again and host of the TED podcast Re:Thinking

Where have you been all this time, Professor?

This book has the potential to change the entire national debate and conversation around immigration. If Zeke Hernandez is right about what he says, and I fear he is, then we have ignorantly stifled our economy, unnecessarily inflicted injury on desperate persons and families, and foolishly jeopardized our national security. And we need to do an abrupt about face. Everyone needs to read or listen to this book now.

Highly recommend to everyone!

In a field often marked by strong opinions and sweeping generalizations, Wharton professor Zeke Hernandez provides insightful truths about immigration. The bottom line? Immigration profoundly benefits the host country in many ways, especially economically. This book is not only an easy read, filled with interesting stories and examples, but it also cites numerous studies that closely examine the critical questions many have about immigration. Hernandez makes a compelling case that our current immigration laws are woefully outdated and misinformed, ultimately hindering American growth and progress. I highly recommend this book and hope these facts and ideas become part of the public discourse on immigration policy.

Very informative and enjoyable book

I really liked this book. It has tons of overlooked information and perspectives that can help us have a better picture of immigration. I agree that the immigration system is outdated and needs some update to meet the needs of this great nation.

Facts are best

The author did a great job of making what could have been a dry subject, very interesting.

Spot on. This is what the data and history show

Engaging, illuminating, mandatory reading. If you are curious about what is behind migration and what are the effects of immigration listen to this right now and then to similar books by Hein de Haas "How Immigration Works," and Ernesto Castañeda and Carina Cione "Immigration Realities: Challenging Common Misperceptions." Together they represent hundreds of studies backing up the same conclusion. Despite years of false statements and intentional propoganda by restrictionists, immigration is not as common as people imagine and it constitutes a win-win for immigrants and the localities that welcome them.

A must read for every American

I appreciated the anecdotes that were woven throughout every chapter. The author did a great job of using data and real life stories to make this an engaging book. The narrator was equally impressive.

Benefits of the US needing workers and the diversity immigrants bring

Great historical summary on when, how and why US immigration was implemented. Good review of the immigration process and details that I wasn't aware of. But much more importantly, the benefits immigrants bring to our country, from helping create some of our leading US companies to helping provide needed workers to bolster our workforce and helping raise revenue by the taxes collected on earned wages. The book mentions some of the well known people who were immigrants or their children. And also points out how the US educates foreigners, could allow them to work here for a bit, without a path to citizenship, or difficult path, at best. The diversity of thought and the labor helps ensure our country doesn't stagnate. Excellent book that shows the benefits of immigration for our country and the harm of isolation.

Everyone should read this book as a public service announcement.

Took a complex issue immigration and put it into common business sense. Immigration solves social security and under-population issues. Department of Commerce and Agriculture could manage immigration better than Homeland Security or ICE because they have the data on economic needs in specific areas of the country and local and national interests can be met. Federal government should help local governments with early immigrant cost because the federal government receives the greatest long term benefit of immigration. Loved the comparisons with sports and USMNT soccer and human economics.

Every elected official should read this book

Full of historical and current data, this books demonstrates how rational immigration policy can benefit individuals and our whole economy.

Feel good book but very little analysis

I’m not in disagreement with this book, and in many arguments it is the right thing to do to have immigration – but this book is really thin and poor on details. The book has an agenda from the get-go, and basically says immigration is good – as it may be.
I was hoping for more behavioral or intellectual analysis, but it is not to be found. The book doesn’t dive into any downsides, mentions a few situations which would have been interesting to dig into further – but just glosses over it because it didn’t suit the narrative.