Why hard-line immigration policies are dominating Washington

Americans are not as divided or conservative on immigration as you might think [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 3 July 2018 [[The Conversation]Academic rigor, journalistic flair]( Editor's note While it may feel the U.S. is becoming even further divided on the issue of immigration, the data simply don’t support that feeling. According to Tufts University public opinion scholar Deborah Schildkraut, a majority of Americans across parties, race and time agree on one of the most essential questions on immigration reform: giving undocumented immigrants a pathway to citizenship. President Trump’s hard-line immigration policies are instead, she says, a result of the old adage: “[it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.](” U.S. charitable donations hit [a record $410 billion last year](, as the stock market boomed and other economic conditions favored more generosity overall. But the new tax law could discourage many donors this year, argue Una Osili and Sasha Zarins of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. The shooting in an Annapolis newsroom last week has renewed the debate over American gun culture. And this wasn’t the only gun-related news in June. Just about a week prior, a pastor – and trained emergency responder – shot dead a carjacker coming out of a Walmart in Oakville, Washington. Case Western’s Steve Pinkerton says that the story of the gun-wielding American preacher has recurred with “remarkable persistence in U.S. history and culture,” appealing perhaps to a belief that such a figure “[carries the authority to discharge God’s justice.](” Danielle Douez Associate Editor, Politics + Society Top stories Immigration activists outside the White House in Washington. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts [Americans are not as divided or conservative on immigration as you might think]( Deborah Schildkraut, Tufts University Public opinion data on immigration show support across parties and ideologies on a key immigration issue over time. In June, 2009, people were invited to bring their firearms without bullets during a service at the New Bethel Church Louisville, Ky. AP Photo/Ed Reinke, Pool [Why Americans have long been fascinated by gunfighting preachers]( Steve Pinkerton, Case Western Reserve University There is a long line of well-armed American preachers -- both real and fictional -- in US history and culture, confirming perhaps the view that true justice cannot be enforced by institutions alone. Charitable giving hit record levels in 2017. pinkomelet/Sshutterstock.com [Fewer Americans are giving money to charity but total donations are at record levels anyway]( Una Osili, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis; Sasha Zarins, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Total gifts from individual donors are rising, at least for now. Politics + Society - [Mexico elects a leftist president who welcomes migrants]( Luis Gómez Romero, University of Wollongong Leftist Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a former Mexico City mayor and career outsider, won Mexico's July 1 presidential election in a landslide. The US-Mexico relationship is about to change. - [Justice Kennedy's LGBTQ legacy may be short-lived]( Alison Gash, University of Oregon A legal scholar explains why Kennedy's opinions on same-sex relationship rest on fragile constitutional grounds. - [Will Trump's Supreme Court justices show independence from him?]( Enrique Armijo, Elon University With Justice Anthony Kennedy's retirement, President Trump will appoint a second justice to the Supreme Court. Will his nominees be impartial if Trump ends up in the court because of the Russia probe? Science + Technology - [Feasting rituals – and the cooperation they require – are a crucial step toward human civilization]( Charles Stanish, University of South Florida How did civilization emerge from small groups of hunter-gatherers? Some archaeologists focus on cooperation as the vital ingredient – and find evidence for it in the form of feast-related artifacts. Health + Medicine - [How to build a better, safer, more welcoming hospital]( Leonard L. Berry, Texas A&M University ; D. Kirk Hamilton, Texas A&M University Hospitals have been designed throughout the years to be functional. But for patients, that often means cold and scary. Two experts share findings that more pleasing environments could be good for patients. Economy + Business - [What is the WTO?]( Stephen J. Silvia, American University School of International Service Trump has often talked about leaving the World Trade Organization. An economist explains what it is and what would happen if the president had his way. - [Is immigration bad for the economy? 4 essential reads]( Bryan Keogh, The Conversation; Nicole Zelniker, The Conversation The president says immigration is bad for the US economy. Economists disagree. Education - [State takeovers of schools are about political power, not school improvement]( Domingo Morel, Rutgers University Newark While state takeovers of schools are nothing new, the ones taking place as of late suggest a political agenda is at play under the guise of school reform, a political science scholar argues. From our International Editions - [Scientists finally have an explanation for the 'Gaia puzzle']( James Dyke, University of Southampton; Tim Lenton, University of Exeter We have long wondered why Earth has stayed habitable enough for life to evolve over billions of years. - [We asked five experts: is BMI a good way to tell if my weight is healthy?]( Alexandra Hansen, The Conversation All five experts said BMI is not ideal for determining the health of your weight. - [How to have a successful summer vacation]( Jamie Gruman, University of Guelph How can you ensure you have a successful summer vacation and don't return more tired and stressed than when you left? Follow a few simple tips. Today’s quote ["But while women will often complain to family or even on social media, most don’t tell their companies of the misconduct... How come? There are three legal barriers that stand in the way."]( [Only 1 in 4 women who have been sexually harassed tell their employers. Here's why they're afraid]( Margaret E. Johnson University of Baltimore [Margaret E. Johnson] [Follow us on Twitter.]( [Join us on Facebook.]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe instantly](. We’ll miss you. 89 South Street - Suite 202 Boston, MA 02111