Latino Migrant Civic and Political Participation Academic studies, press, commentary and analysis on immigration and Latino migrant civic participation in the United States.
The Mexico Institute is also currently engaged in a research project "Latin American Migrants: Civic and Political Participation in a Binational Context." This project, supported by the MacArthur Foundation, aims to explore the trends in Latin American immigrant integration into U.S. society through case studies of civic and political participation in Charlotte, NC; Omaha, NE; Fresno, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA and Washington, DC.
What began as an informal support group soon blossomed into a political movement for workers' rights. After four years of petition drives and appealing to local lawmakers, the group claimed a key victory last week, when the Montgomery County Council approved what are believed to be among the most far-reaching labor protections for domestic workers in the country.
The figure rise nearly 50% from the year before, a federal report says. Officials cite a campaign by Spanish-language media and community groups, plus a desire to apply before a fee hike kicked in.
The percentage of Americans in favor of decreased immigration has declined from 45% to 39% in the past year, and matches a 2006 reading as the lowest Gallup has measured since 2000.
Under pressure from the toughest crackdown on illegal immigration in two decades, employers across the country are fighting back in state legislatures, the federal courts and city halls.
The ACLU is questioning the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office in Virginia decision to check the immigration status of anyone arrested in the county who is suspected of being in the United States illegally.
Federal immigration agents arrested 160 employees in a raid on a used clothing and rag exporting plant in Houston. The authorities said it was the largest workplace raid in the region. Officials report that the majority of those arrested were from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
Last week, MALDEF won two major victories in federal court; the first, Villas at Parkside Partners v. The City of Farmers Branch, struck down an anti-immigrant ordinance in Farmers Branch, TX and the second, Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District Number One v. Michael B. Mukasey, upheld the constitutionality of the federal Voting Rights Act.
It is possible to fix the U.S. immigration system so that it corresponds to American values and economic realities. Yet, it’s important to recognize that a 2,000 mile fence and other restrictionist policies along the border are failing miserably.
Someday, the country will recognize the true cost of its war on illegal immigration. We don’t mean dollars, though those are being squandered by the billions. The true cost is to the national identity: the sense of who we are and what we value. It will hit us once the enforcement fever breaks, when we look at what has been done and no longer recognize the country that did it.
The U.S. House and Senate have introduced a number of immigration bills that target certain aspects of the immigration debate, yet Congressional members supportive of immigration reform in the past still oppose these gradual immigration changes. They argue for a comprehensive immigration bill and believe that piecemeal efforts will hinder this process in the future.
"Other than legal" workers, according to the 2008 annual report on Social Security, are buoying the nation's deficit-ridden program. According to the report, undocumented workers pay a significant amount of taxes while working in the country and will contribute to 15% of the system's long-running deficit. While this does not suggest an instant solution to Social Security's troubles, it points to the intricate relationship the U.S. maintains with undocumented workers.
The lack of Americans going into scientific and technical fields is adding to the thousands of unfilled openings for highly skilled workers; making it harder for U.S. firms to compete on a global level. This can be remedied by the expansion of H-IB Visas available each year that would entice highly skilled workers from abroad and could contribute to the nation’s troubled economy.
In seeking answers to illegal immigration, the House is attempting to force a vote on a bill that would require all workers to prove they have a right to earn a living. The bureaucratic problems with this bill would displace thousands of Americans. Comparable enforcement measures against immigration are crowding state legislatures as well, where the legislations that are approved are worsening community tensions and doing little to develop a long-term solution. Proposals for amnesty have not managed to gain substantial support, but what immigration supporters and enemies alike should remember is that this country has a history of amnesties.
Immigrant Rights Marches, Spring 2006
This database of press reports of turnout during the spring, 2006 immigrant rights mobilizations is based primarily on the estimates from the major local English language newspapers in each city and town. Where estimates vary, both the lower and higher estimates are cited. We realize that because of the unprecedented geographic breadth of these actions, this database may be incomplete, so we welcome any corrections or additions.
Current Legislation
The National Immigration Forum tracks Congressional immigration-related legislation and regularly communicates with Congress regarding the impact of these bills on U.S. immigration and immigrants. Latest Senate Voting News
U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 110th Congress - 1st Session (2007)
Washington, DC, 2007
Proposed Legislation
H.R. 1645, The Security Through Regularized Immigration and Vibrant Economy Act (STRIVE Act)
Mexico Institute
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Woodrow
Wilson International Center for Scholars
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
One Woodrow Wilson Plaza
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20004-3027
T 202/691-4000
