Political Mobilization of Latino Immigrants in American Cities and the U.S. Immigration Debate

摘要: This paper analyses the mobilization actions among Latino populations in United States, especially Mexican immigrants, triggered by passage of H.R. 4437 U.S. House Representatives on December 16, 2005. I expose actors, their rationale, and mechanisms that have raised to a historical proportion current immigration debate. From macro perspective, this work suggests can be explained mainly through involvement Catholic Church and/or immigrant-supportive organizations 32 cities across nation. micro research faith, family are triggering factors for Latinos immigrants participate political mobilizations type. Research is based two major sources: (1) “U.S. Immigration Debate: Core Documents,” which includes more than 200 electronic links documents related debate, consulted website Mexico-North Network (www.mexnor.org); (2) “Mexico-North Collection Debate,” 900 articles from newspapers, magazines newsletters about debate period January 2005 – July 2006. The author would like knowledge support Department Political Science at University Nebraska Omaha work. Partial funding was provided Office Latin American Studies Omaha/U.S. Education. G. Cano, August 2006, gcano@mail.unomaha.edu Mobilization Immigrants Cities Debate By Gustavo Cano Network, Washington D.C. “I want my children know mother not criminal. them as strong am. shows our strength.” Benita Olmedo, nanny who came illegally 1986 Mexico, participating an immigrant rights rally with her children, 7 11 years old, city San Francisco May 1, 2006 ABC News: Walk Off Job Boycott, “You should send all 13 million aliens home, then you take welfare recipients taking free check make do those jobs. It’s simple that.” Jack Culberson, retired Army colonel counter-protester Pensacola, Florida On 2005, States passed bill titled “Border Protection, Antiterrorism, Illegal Control Act 2005.” makes illegal presence (U.S.) felony. also requires department Homeland Security construct double security fence several portions border; encourages local police enforce law; it felony “to assist, encourage, direct, or induce enter remain country knowing reckless disregard” fact reside illegally; imposes maximum fine forty thousand dollars per undocumented worker employer hires agency helps find Currently, between 12 unauthorized estimated live soil. About fifty six percent origin. legislative action millions persons first half against took place Chicago, where number 100,000 300,000 individuals streets March 10, For 11-April rallies expanded 76 1 “Size Characteristics Unauthorized Migrant Population Estimates Based Current Survey” Jeffrey S. Passel, Pew Hispanic Center, http://pewhispanic.org/files/reports/61.pdf