THE LATINO EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA LATI 50 Introduction

THE LATINO EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA LATI 50 Introduction to Latin America

I. PATTERNS INTRODUCTION THE NUMBERS GAME(S) • Flows • Stocks • Proportions • Costs and benefits • Rates of assimilation

EMOTIONAL ISSUES AND POLITICAL DEBATES • Ethnicity vs. melting pots • Diversity vs. tradition • Fairness vs. efficiency

Mexican-Origin Population in United States, 1900 -2003 Mx-born (9. 9)

Geographical Concentration of Mexican Migrants

II. QUESTIONS OF PUBLIC POLICY DIMENSIONS • ~11 -12 million illegal immigrants in U. S. • 55 -60% from Mexico • 25% of Mexico’s able-bodied male workforce now in U. S. • U. S. -Mexican wage ratio ~ 8: 1

THE RANGE OF POLICY CHOICE: LEGAL MIGRATION • Revise legal quotas • Revise criteria for entry THE RANGE OF POLICY CHOICE: ILLEGAL MIGRATION • Strategies for restriction: üBuilding fences üBlocking corridors (e. g. , Operation Gatekeeper) üWithdrawing incentives and benefits (e. g. , Prop 187) üPunishing employers

• Strategies for opening: üAugmenting quotas üGuest-worker programs üEliminating barriers • Strategies for reduction: üTargeting economic development üCirculating information üAdditional steps?

Bush on Migration: Phase 1: The Whole Enchilada (January-September 11, 2001) Phase 2: Focus on Security Phase 3: The Second Term (January 2005 -07) Temporary amnesty for those here and employed Guest-worker program Eventual path to citizenship The Obama Record (2009 -present): No comprehensive reform Extensive deportations (1. 1 million!) Modest revisions (e. g. , process for green card)

What Would You Do?