Date of Graduation

Winter 12-13-2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in International Studies

Department/Program

International Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Christopher Loperena

Abstract

This work takes a multi-dimensional approach to understanding human rights abuse toward Latino immigrants. It is argued here that the opening up of Mexico and Central American countries to free trade, and the restricted movement across borders has increased human rights abuse toward immigrants. In order to investigate these issues this research looks at: the opening up of Mexico and Central American countries to free trade; a pervasive narrative that portrays the Latino immigrant as a threat; and U.S. immigration policy. I use these respective bodies of literature to guide the discussion of the Latino immigrant experience, from the decision to migrate through settlement in the United States. Using these themes, and tying them in with first hand accounts of immigrant experiences that have been gathered through interviews, I have pieced together a narrative of what the immigrant experience is, and suggest that this has culminated in a dialectic between mobility and stability.

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