"If our goal is to slow migration, then the best way to do so is to work for a more equitable global system. But slowing migration is an odd goal, if the real problem is global inequality."
About Aviva Chomsky
Aviva Chomsky — Life and Legacy
Aviva Chomsky is a prominent historian and activist whose work focuses on immigration, social justice, and the complexities of U.S. foreign policy. She is notable for her ability to connect historical narratives with contemporary issues, particularly in her influential book, 'Undocumented: How Immigration Became Illegal.' Chomsky's core thinking revolves around the idea that history is not just a record of the past but a tool for understanding and challenging current injustices. Her assertion that 'We are all immigrants' encapsulates her belief in the shared human experience of migration, pushing back against xenophobia and nationalism. This perspective reveals her commitment to inclusivity and human rights, as she argues that understanding our collective history is essential for fostering empathy and activism. By examining the intersections of race, class, and immigration, Chomsky challenges the dominant narratives that often marginalize immigrant voices. Chomsky's insights remain relevant today, as they resonate with ongoing debates about immigration policy and social equity. Her work inspires readers to reconsider their views on justice and activism, encouraging a more compassionate and informed approach to societal issues.
Quote collection
Aviva Chomsky quotes
3 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Like other discriminatory legislation in our country's history, immigration laws define and differentiate legal status on the basis of arbitrary attributes. Immigration laws create unequal rights. People who break immigration laws don't cause harm or even potential harm (unlike, for example, drunk driving, which creates the potential for harm even if no accident occurs). Rather, people who break immigration laws do things that are perfectly legal for others, but denied to them--like crossing a border or, even more commonly, simply exist."
"It’s notable that the countries that most pride themselves on their commitment to equality, human rights, and democracy (like the United States and the western European countries) are precisely those that, in the late twentieth century, invented a new status (‘illegal’) in order to deprive some of their residents of access to equality, human rights, and democracy.I am honored to lend my name to PICUM’s campaign to end the use of the term ‘illegal’ and to challenge the whole concept of illegality as a status."