Crisis of Immigration Part II

Europe, Mediterranean, and the Mideast: Readings: –“Blockage of Mobility” –“Wave of Middle East Migration” –“To Saudi with Love” Immigration:

European Crackdown: Side effect of depression or was it a response to workers’ power? - Typical account of anti-immigration laws and policies (W. Europe) in early 1970’s argue: Attacks on immigrants began with downturn of Attacks used as a method of exporting unemployment US (capitalism & its representatives) the enemy, immigrants the victims

“Blockage of Morality”: Shows that: -Crackdowns predate rapid rise in unemployment -Crackdowns a response to growing ability of immigrants and French workers to collaborate -Crackdowns a response to foreign workers’ demands on employers (wages) and state (housing) -Crackdowns a response to a failure of old means of control that no longer worked -No more pitting cheap foreign labor against more expensive labor

“Second Generation Problem”: Important element in the problem of control: -Defined as the problem in which first generation immigrants were willing to take low paying jobs -However, their children – having been raised in the host country – refused such low paying jobs -These children viewed low paying jobs as second class -Refused to be treated in school as if they were destined for these jobs -Instead were rebellious – individually & in gangs

Extended Analysis: Extended analysis from “host” countries to the “source” countries: -Phenomenon analyzed in terms of ways in which immigrants are carriers of antagonism -They circulate experiences of life and needs and struggle -Circulated from source, to host, and back -Creates interlinkage among geographical sites of crisis

Oil & Immigrant Labor: Moving to the Mideast: IMF article accounts importation of 2 million plus workers, accelerated by increased oil revenues after IMF speaks in terms of “supply and demand management measures” -IMF wanted state policy makers to maximize pecuniary benefits and minimize costs – including social & political costs

Midnight Notes Material: -In the oil producing Gulf states, recognizes managerial side of immigrant labor force -Makes antagonistic agency of the immigrant workers’ problems much more visible -Also makes the political aspect of labor market “management” more visible -Perspective emphasized entire community – unwaged family as well as waged oil field labor -Midnight Notes recognized community as the site of maintenance & reproduction of oil industry labor -Made “economic” issues political

Labor of Reproduction: -Labor of reproduction often done by immigrant labor – often female (Sri Lankans & Philippinos) -Such work often low paid and women have few rights -Often work under terrible conditions – such as dealing with beatings, rapes, & other forms of mistreatment) -Typically little to no backup from immigrants’ governments -Just like in production, immigrants pitted against one another

Countries of Origin: -Implications for workers left behind in countries of origin -Those left behind often faced with more work -Women required to handle jobs previously performed by men -In some cases, women find access to new sources of power -Shift of power can have transformative impact on gender relationship in the home country

What Does the Analysis Support? -Supports argument that Gulf War was less about controlling Hussein & Iraqi military -War more about controlling oil-producing labor force -Prior to war, there was an increase in instability in the area due to workers’ resistance -War resulted in major reorganization of the labor force, with wholesale deportation of troublesome workers -Massive decomposition of labor force power

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