This book investigates the historical development and systemic expansion of the United States immigration detention apparatus. Elliott Young, a professor of history, utilizes archival research and case studies to trace how the intersection of criminal law and immigration policy—often termed 'crimmigration'—has created a sprawling network of incarceration for non-citizens. The work argues that the current detention system is not a recent phenomenon but the result of over a century of exclusionary policies and shifting legal frameworks.

Scholars and historians frequently cite this work as a critical contribution to understanding the long-term trajectory of U.S. immigration policy. Readers often note the academic rigor and the depth of the historical evidence provided throughout the chapters.