From Central America to the United States: New Pathways and Patterns of Integration

Session Submission Type: Invited Session (90 minute)

Description

The past few years have witnessed new patterns of immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border: immigrants crossing the border are not only Mexicans but increasingly more from other Central American countries such as Guatemala, Venezuela, Cuba, Ecuador, and Colombia. What is also surprising is that there is a new trend of Chinese immigration to the United States via Central America. This thematic session aims to addresses two questions. First, what are the driving forces behind the new patterns of immigration from Central America to the United States? Second, what are the emerging patterns of integration and challenges for immigrants coming from Central America in the current political landscape?

Sub Unit

• Special Session

Presider

• Leisy Janet Abrego, University of California, Los Angeles

Individual Presentations

• Crop Loss and Food Insecurity as Correlates of U.S. Migration: Evidence from a Recent Survey in Guatemala - David P. Lindstrom, Brown University

• From China to the United States via Central America: the Role of Social Media in the Migration Process - Zai Liang, State University of New York at Albany; Zhang Jinzhao, Claremont Graduate University; Shichao Du, Fudan University

• Emerging Patterns of Migrations: Between Central America and the United States - Angel Alfonso Escamilla Garcia, Yale University

• “[The U.S.] sent us to Mexico until the next court hearing.” Asylum-seeking mothers’ expulsion and third-country liminality - Carla Salazar Gonzalez, University of California-San Diego

Discussant

• Cecilia Menjivar, University of California-Los Angeles

Session Organizer

• Zai Liang, State University of New York at Albany