Americas Quarterly - Summer 2008

One example—within our own borders—is California. University of Southern California Professor Abraham Lowenthal examines in our third article the lessons that have evolved from the most diverse state in the U.S. and how they can lead the way to sensible immigration reform and bilateral policy.

Thomas m. Barwick iNc,; ge TTy; paul Taylor/ge TTy; ZuBiN shroff/pho ToNica/ge TTy

Of course, the flow of Mexicans and Central Americans to the U.S. remains one of the most visible symbols of immigration today. In three of our articles our authors propose ways to improve and regularize immigration. In the first, Demetrios Papademetriou argues that while the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was never intended to serve as a framework for immigration, it can help alleviate the pressures if future Mexican governments follow consistent economic policies that will allow the country to seize the advantage of free trade. Tamar Jacoby explores the long-term solution for resolving the vexing and volatile issue of the 12 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. that ultimately torpedoed the Bush administration’s comprehensive immigration reform bill.

Given the woefully inadequate slots for guest workers, expanding the program for temporary workers is essential to reducing undocumented workers and meeting labor demands. Jennifer Gordon lays out an innovative approach to increase labor circularity

and protecting workers’ rights.

Our last two articles in the series look at the current climate within the U.S. toward immigrants and their prospects for upward mobility. The first of these, by Cheryl Little, looks at the human cost of the anti-immigrant rhetoric that has become a steady diet on certain television shows and talk radio. In graphic detail, she highlights the ugly realities of racial profiling, vigilante justice and family separation. The second addresses a fundamental, but often overlooked, issue: how will the U.S. integrate these new generations of immigrants? Without a federal policy to support immigrants to learn English or receive civics training, the responsibility, says author Alexandra Délano, lies with the U.S. private sector.

Whatever may come of the U. S. immigration debate, the challenge of integrating what is the largest number of immigrants (in absolute terms) in U.S. history remains central. One thing we should be able to generate a consensus on, however, is the need for integration. We must find the right balance bet ween diversity and reducing the language, educational and even cultural differences that reduce opportunity.