New patterns of Hispanic immigration are changing the U.S. political landscape. Addressing the local backlash will require a more active and progressive private sector. Read the entire article in the Summer 2008 issue of Americas Society.
Immigration
NAFTA was never intended to serve as a mechanism to regulate the flow of labor. And it failed to meet policymakers' promises of creating sufficient jobs in Mexico. Nevertheless, it has established a framework for trilateral discussions on migration. Read the entire article in the Summer 2008 issue of Americas Quarterly.
From California's convoluted history of immigration, a latent consensus may be developing about the importance of immigrants for the economy and strength in diversity. Such a consensus could point the way forward for an improved national policy on immigration. Read the entire article in the Summer 2008 issue of Americas Quarterly.
Blaming NAFTA—and free trade in general—for job losses is misplaced. As the U.S. continues to debate a 15-year-olf trade agreement, other countries are negotiating their own pacts—a fact that should prod the U.S. to not only strengthen NAFTA but also reinforce its commitment to trade expansion. Read the full article in the Summer 2008 issue of Americas Quarterly.
Consul General of Mexico in New York Rubén Beltrán outlines a new initiative bringing together Latin American consulates to expand services for immigrants in the tri-state area. He also describes the impact of local-level immigration laws and prospects for federal-level reform.
In the absence of federal immigration reform and as immigrants settle in new destinations, U.S. states consider related legislation to an increasing degree. An economic slowdown and anti-immigrant laws affect Latino immigrants, who send fewer remittances home.
Alexandra Délano reviews Jorge Castañeda's lucid account of the political debates over U.S.-Mexico immigration as well as an overview of recent Mexican migration flows.