Open Borders
The Case Against Immigration Controls
Teresa Hayter(Author)
Pluto Press
Published on 20. October 2000
Book
Hardback
208 pages
978-0-7453-1547-8 (ISBN)
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Description
'A very impressive achievement.' Ann Dummett, founder, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
'Teresa Hayter has written a formidably comprehensive book on the history, mechanisms, and debates surrounding immigration controls in Britain ... The crux of Hayter's argument is that immigration controls do not, will not, and should not work ... essential reading.' Red Pepper
In Open Borders, Teresa Hayter assesses the impact of the increasing severity of border controls since they were first introduced and makes the controversial case for their abolition. Hayter focuses on postwar immigration controls, especially the use of such controls against the peoples of former European colonies and East Europeans, and their effects on asylum seekers. She examines the recent history of European coordination of border controls and the notion of 'Fortress Europe'.
Hayter argues that the existence of controls leads to great suffering and abuse of human rights, and that immigration controls are racist and help legitimate racism. She also demonstrates that immigration controls have actually had a limited impact on controlling numbers. To illustrate her arguments, she draws on empirical material, especially from Britain in the 1980s and 1990s, relating in particular to the use of detention, arbitrary decision-making and the denial of benefits. She compares British government policies with policies elsewhere in Europe and calls for the free movement of people and the abolition of border controls.
'Teresa Hayter has written a formidably comprehensive book on the history, mechanisms, and debates surrounding immigration controls in Britain ... The crux of Hayter's argument is that immigration controls do not, will not, and should not work ... essential reading.' Red Pepper
In Open Borders, Teresa Hayter assesses the impact of the increasing severity of border controls since they were first introduced and makes the controversial case for their abolition. Hayter focuses on postwar immigration controls, especially the use of such controls against the peoples of former European colonies and East Europeans, and their effects on asylum seekers. She examines the recent history of European coordination of border controls and the notion of 'Fortress Europe'.
Hayter argues that the existence of controls leads to great suffering and abuse of human rights, and that immigration controls are racist and help legitimate racism. She also demonstrates that immigration controls have actually had a limited impact on controlling numbers. To illustrate her arguments, she draws on empirical material, especially from Britain in the 1980s and 1990s, relating in particular to the use of detention, arbitrary decision-making and the denial of benefits. She compares British government policies with policies elsewhere in Europe and calls for the free movement of people and the abolition of border controls.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Library binding
Dimensions
Height: 215 mm
Width: 135 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-7453-1547-8 (9780745315478)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions

Book
06/2004
2nd Edition
Pluto Press
€126.28
Article exhausted; check different version
Person
Teresa Hayter is an activist and writer who in recent years has been active in a variety of anti-racist campaigns and organisations opposed to the injustices of detention without trial of migrants and refugees. She is the author of Open Borders (Pluto Press, 2004).
Content
Preface
Introduction
1. Migration, And Migratory Myths
World Migration
Postwar Migration To Industrialised Countries
Migration To Britain
2. Border Controls
Racism
Early History Of British Immigration Controls
Controls On Commonwealth Immigration
Fortress Europe
3. Refugees: Tightening The Screw
The Debasing Of Refugee Rights
Legislation And Legal Processes In Britain
The Criminalisation Of Refugees
Destitution
Detention
Campsfield Immigration Detention Centre
4. Resistance
Resistance In Britain
The Sans Papiers Movement
Resistance In Other European Countries
5. Open The Borders
Immigration Controls And Human Rights
Immigration Controls Do Not Work
Immigration And Jobs, Wages And Conditions
Immigration And Public Expenditure
Immigration Controls And Racism
Migration And The Third World
Free Movement
Bibliography
Index
Introduction
1. Migration, And Migratory Myths
World Migration
Postwar Migration To Industrialised Countries
Migration To Britain
2. Border Controls
Racism
Early History Of British Immigration Controls
Controls On Commonwealth Immigration
Fortress Europe
3. Refugees: Tightening The Screw
The Debasing Of Refugee Rights
Legislation And Legal Processes In Britain
The Criminalisation Of Refugees
Destitution
Detention
Campsfield Immigration Detention Centre
4. Resistance
Resistance In Britain
The Sans Papiers Movement
Resistance In Other European Countries
5. Open The Borders
Immigration Controls And Human Rights
Immigration Controls Do Not Work
Immigration And Jobs, Wages And Conditions
Immigration And Public Expenditure
Immigration Controls And Racism
Migration And The Third World
Free Movement
Bibliography
Index