America’s Immigration Lottery: History & Implications
In the article, “A Game of Chance is Changing Lives and Changing America,” Eileen Reinhard highlights the award-winning work of Carly Goodman, an assistant professor in the History MA program at Rutgers University–Camden. Goodman’s book, Dreamland: America’s Immigration Lottery in an Age of Restriction, discusses the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery, offering a comprehensive analysis of its history and broader implications for American immigration policy.
Goodman’s research traces the origins of the Diversity Visa Lottery to the 1980s, when undocumented Irish immigrants advocated for legal avenues to remain in the United States. Their efforts led to the creation of a program that has since become a vital pathway for immigrants, particularly from African nations such as Ghana and Cameroon. Through engaging narratives, Goodman transports readers to local post offices and internet cafes in these countries, where hopeful participants gather to enter the lottery, aspiring for a new life in America.
Dreamland has received critical acclaim, earning the 2023 Furniss Book Award and the 2024 First Book Award from the Immigration and Ethnic History Society. Beyond her scholarly work, Goodman serves as a senior editor for the Made by History section of TIME Magazine, contributing to contemporary discussions on immigration. Her book not only chronicles the story of the visa lottery but also challenges readers to consider the potential benefits of embracing inclusive immigration policies that welcome diversity.
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Mastering the Past: Rutgers–Camden’s M.A. in History Program
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