We talk with Dr. Erika Lee about her book, "America for Americans: A History of Xenophobia in the United States." Some say America is a place for anyone and everyone. We learn in elementary school that America was started by people seeking a new life, where they could have religious freedom, that it is a place that accepts, "poor, huddled masses."

But at the same time, there is talk of border security, of legal immigrants, of undocumented immigrants, of which countries we should accept immigrants from. Along with talk, there are also actions. Over the course of American history, we have seen the Chinese, the Japanese, people from majority-muslim countries, Jews and Catholics and just about everyone else, questioned about whether they belong.

This episode wrestles with the question: Why does America continually ask, "who belongs?"

Dr. Lee is available on Twitter @prof_erikalee and her website is erikalee.org.

Axelbank Reports History and Today is available on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @axelbankhistory

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