The Closing of the American Border: Terrorism, Immigration, and Security Since 9/11 - Softcover

Alden, Edward

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0061558400 ISBN 13: 9780061558405

Publisher: Harper Perennial, 2009

Synopsis

The Closing of the American Border is a provocative, behind-the-scenes investigation into the consequences of America's efforts to secure its borders since 9/11. Basing his conclusions on extensive interviews with former secretary of homeland security Tom Ridge, former secretary of state Colin Powell, other Bush administration officials, and many of the innocent people whose lives have been upended by the new border security and visa rules, Edward Alden offers a striking and compelling assessment of the dangers faced by a nation that cuts itself off from the rest of the world.

About this title

Review:

"A thought-provoking study that will leave you looking at our borders in a new light."--The San Antonio Express-News

"Compellingly argued and meticulously researched."--Clive Crook, The Financial Times

"In this revealing and richly researched account, Alden describes how the Bush administration came to rely on the blunt instrument of immigration enforcement to carry out its counterterrorism strategy after 9/11."--Julia Preston, Foreign Affairs

"Alden's book reads like a case study in good intentions and bad effects."--The Wall Street Journal

From the Back Cover:

On September 10, 2001, the United States was the most open country in the world. But in the aftermath of the worst terrorist attacks on American soil, the U.S. government began to close its borders in an effort to fight terrorism. The Bush administration's goal was to build new lines of defense without stifling the flow of people and ideas from abroad that has helped build the world's most dynamic economy. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way.

Based on extensive interviews with the administration officials who were charged with securing the border after 9/11, and with many innocent people whose lives have been upended by the new security regulations, The Closing of the American Border is a striking and compelling assessment of the dangers faced by a nation that cuts itself off from the rest of the world.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0061558400
• ISBN 13: 9780061558405
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368