"Racism, Nativism, and Exclusion: Public Policy, Immigration,
and the Latino Experience in the United States"
Keith M. Kilty
Ohio State University
and
Maria Vidal de Haymes
Loyola University - Chicago
Abstract: While population growth for the Latino population has surged since the
middle of this century, people of Spanish origin have been part of the American
fabric since the nation’s earliest days. Since the Treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo,
which ended the Mexican-American War in 1848, and ceded most of what is now the
American Southwest to the United States, Hispanics in this country (whether born
here or outside US borders) have been affected in various ways by the exclusionary
and restrictive nature of US immigration laws and policies. Most Latinos are US
citizens (62% by birth and an additional 7% by naturalization), but those who are
citizens often have family members residing in the US who are not. Recently, anti-immigrant
and exclusionary sentiments have surfaced once again, much of which have been focused
incorrectly on Latinos. Public policy is a critical matter for minorities, who typically
occupy positions toward the bottom of the social hierarchy. In this paper, we examine
the impact of social policy on the lives of Hispanics, including recent immigration
and border legislation, welfare reform, and official language policy and educational
programs. Much of the rhetoric used to justify recent policy changes and proposals
is based on misperceptions, misrepresentations, and misunderstandings.
"An Analysis of Latino Poverty and a Plan of Action"
Mario De La Rosa
Florida International University
Abstract: This paper provides a broad overview of the current poverty status of
Latinos in the United States. Data from the 1996 US Census indicates that poverty
affects Latinos disproportionately and that Latinos’ low educational attainment
and poor occupational status participation have a great impact on the current poverty
conditions of Latinos. Also discussed are the effects of poverty on the well-being
of Latinos. The findings from the US Census and several major health surveys suggest
that there is a relationship between poverty and Latino current health and educational
status. Recommendations are made by the author to alleviate the conditions of poverty
faced by Latinos.
"
Financial Barriers to Health Care for Latinos: Poverty and
Beyond"
Llewellyn J. Cornelius
University of Maryland - Baltimore
Abstract: This study uses data from the 1994 Commonwealth Fund Minority Health Survey
to examine the financing of medical care for working age (18-64) Latinos. Nearly
one out of every three working age Latinos (32.4%) were uninsured in 1994. Poor
Latinos were more than three times more likely than upper income Latinos (49.9%
versus 13.8%) to lack health insurance in 1994. Uninsured Latinos were less likely
than those with public or private insurance to see a physician in 1994 (62.7% versus
88.9% and 89.3% respectively). Multivariate analyses showed that both financial
(income, employment status, amount of insurance premiums) and non-financial factors
(type of usual source of medical care, citizenship) played a role in a decision
to see a physician in 1994. Options are discussed for expanding coverage to the
uninsured.
"
The Structuring of Extracurricular Opportunities and Latino
Student Retention"
Nilda Flores-Gonzalez
University of Illinois at Chicago
Abstract: This study examines extracurricular participation of Latino students in
an inner-city high school. Multiple, intensive interviews with 33 participants,
along with ethnographic observation, school records, students’ transcripts,
school reports, yearbooks, and other school documents were used in the research.
My findings suggest that there is a strong connection between high school retention
and extracurricular participation. The students who stayed in school and graduated
had extracurricular participation rates much higher than students who ended up dropping
out. I found that this was due not to lack of interest from non-participants but
to the way extracurricular opportunities were structured. The school’s formal
and informal requirements for participation (such as limited funds, school size,
participation criteria, and access to extracurricular activities) made joining the
programs difficult for many students, especially those at risk of dropping out.
"Politics, Networks, and Circular Migration: The Salvadoran
Experience"
Jose Soltero
DePaul University
and
Romeo Saravia
University of El Salvador
Abstract: This paper examines the relevance of individual and structural theories
of migration for Salvadoran circular migrants to the US and other countries. Using
1995 individual data taken from impoverished suburban areas corresponding to cities
across the fourteen Salvadoran geographic departments, our results strongly support
the importance of network theories of migration. Thus, the existence of networks
of support in the US increases individuals’ migration likelihood; in contrast,
attachment to networks in the sending country, such as community organizations,
decreases people’s probability to become circular migrants to any country.
Finally, contrary to hypothetical expectations, political factors do not influence
our sample’s migration patterns.
"Pilsen and The Resurrection Project: Community Organization
in a Latino Community"
Susan F. Grossman
Rita M. Cardoso
Giselle G. Belanger
Jerry Belski
Tyra C. Corethers
Mary E. Pettinelli
and
Maurice A. Redd
Loyola University - Chicago
Abstract: This article describes a Latino community on the near southwest side of
Chicago and the attempts of a community-based organization to respond to community
issues and concerns. We first describe the history and characteristics of the community,
highlight some of the challenges it currently faces and then discuss the development
and activities of a unique church-based community organization. The organizing effort
is assessed in light of the literature on community intervention as well as in relation
to the community’s cultural heritage and characteristics.
"The 1996 Chicago Latino Registered Voter Political Survey:
Political Participation and Public Policy Positions"
David K. Jesuit
DePaul University
Angela Nirrchi
University of Chicago Children’s Hospital
Maria Vidal de Haymes
Loyola University - Chicago
and
Peter M. Sanchez
DePaul University
Abstract: The Latino population in the United States has been expanding at a tremendous
rate in recent decades and as the number of Latinos in the United States grows,
so does their potential for influencing American politics grow. Yet, we have a very
limited understanding of Latino civic engagement, political behavior, and public
policy opinions. This article presents the results of a survey of 408 registered
Latino voters in Chicago, Illinois. The findings advance a multidimensional understanding
of Latino political behaviors and attitudes through the examination of multiple
measures of political participation and opinions concerning political parties and
public issues such as welfare reform, immigration, naturalization and official language
policy, bilingual education, capital punishment, gun control, and affirmative action.
Findings are discussed in the context of earlier studies of Latino electoral participation
and American public policy opinions.