They Take Our Jobs! by Aviva Chomsky Summary
Overview of They Take Our Jobs!
Chomsky demolishes 20 immigration myths with surgical precision. A transformative text that's shaped academic discourse across 22 editions, turning readers into informed activists. What deeply-rooted assumptions about immigration are you unknowingly perpetuating? Prepare to have your worldview challenged.
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Key takeaways
The American Immigration Myth: A History of Exclusion
Immigration has never been the simple melting pot story we've been told. While Ellis Island welcomed 25 million Europeans between 1880 and WWI with minimal restrictions, the same open-door policy never existed for non-Europeans. The Immigration Act of 1924 created America's first significant numerical restrictions on European immigration while completely excluding "aliens ineligible to citizenship"-effectively all non-whites. This legislation also established the Border Patrol specifically to prevent Mexican migration, creating a two-tiered system: regulated but possible immigration for Europeans, and near-total exclusion for others. Today's immigration law maintains this discrimination through a complex preference system that, while racially neutral on paper, functionally excludes most potential immigrants from developing nations. For many, there is literally no legal pathway to enter the U.S. Even immediate family members often wait 15-20 years for permission, with some Filipino and Mexican categories facing backlogs beyond two decades. The phrase "I'm not against immigration, just illegal immigration" ignores this reality. When most European ancestors came to America, they simply decided to make the journey-no visas, passports, or complex documentation required. They weren't "illegal" because no law existed to make their immigration illegal. They needed only to be healthy, able to work, and not obviously criminal. Today's system, by contrast, permanently excludes most people who want to immigrate.
The Economic Reality: Jobs, Taxes, and Hidden Contributions
The Assimilation Paradox: America's Racial Hierarchy
English Acquisition: Myths vs. Reality
Colonial Connections: How U.S. Foreign Policy Drives Migration
Beyond Border Walls: A Humanitarian Approach
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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