U.S. Immigration Policy and Its Effects on Latin America

Talk by Marie Mallet-Garcia, 2023-2024 Paris IAS Fellow, and holder of the City of Paris Chair, as part of the study day "Towards a new management of migratory and commercial flows from Central America to North America" organized by Université Sorbonne Nouvelle.

Free admission upon registration at: clea.fortune@sorbonne-nouvelle.fr
Hybrid and in-person sessions

Presentation

The paper examines the evolution of U.S. immigration policy from 1933 to 2017 and its effects on Latin American countries, with a focus on key legislation and initiatives. It discusses the restrictive immigration laws of the early 20th century, the Good Neighbor Policy, the Bracero Program, and the impact of Cold War politics on immigration. The paper highlights the unintended consequences of these policies, such as the increase in unauthorized migration, and the complexities of refugee treatment. It also covers the establishment of DACA and the challenges it faces. The paper concludes by reflecting on the historical interdependence between U.S. economic needs and immigration from Mexico, suggesting that U.S. immigration policy has often been at odds with economic realities and advocating for informed, comprehensive immigration reform.