The second-largest Latino-immigrant group in Los Angeles after Mexicans, Central Americans have become a remarkable presence in city neighborhoods, with colorful festivals, flags adorning cars, community organizations, as well as vibrant ethnic businesses. The people from Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama living in Los Angeles share many cultural and historical commonalities, such as language, politics, religion, and perilous migratory paths as well as future challenges. The distinctions are also evident as ethnicities, music, and food create a healthy diversity throughout residential locations in Los Angeles. During the 1980s and 1990s, an unprecedented number of new Central Americans arrived in this cosmopolitan city, many for economic reasons while others were escaping political turmoil in their native countries. Today they are part of the ethnic layers that shape the local population. Central Americans have embraced Los Angeles as home and, in doing so, transported their rich heritage and customs to the streets of this multicultural metropolis.

This interdisciplinary edited volume of thirteen essays presents a broad look at the Central American experience in the United States with a focus on Southern California. By examining oral histories, art, poetry, and community formation, the contributors fill a void in the scholarship on the multiple histories, experiences, and forms of resistance of Central American groups in the United States. The contributors provide new research on the 1.5 generation and beyond and how the transnational dynamics manifest in California, home to one of the largest U.S. Central American populations.

Central Americans are the third largest and fastest growing Latino population in the United States. And yet, despite their demographic presence, there has been little scholarship focused on this group. Constituting Central American-Americans is an exploration of the historical and disciplinary conditions that have structured U.S. Central American identity and of the ways in which this identity challenges how we frame current discussions of Latina/o, American ethnic, and diasporic identities. By focusing on the formation of Central American identity in the U.S., Maritza E. Cárdenas challenges us to think about Central America and its diaspora in relation to other U.S. ethno-racial identities.

Studying the urban agglomeration of Los Angeles County is on the one hand very interesting, exciting, as there is such a wide variety of people living there. This not only concerning ethnic origins but also in view of social classes, (haves and have nots), sub cultures, 'Lebenswelten' and milieus. On the other hand, studying L.A. empirically, i.e. living, working and more than anything else talking to people while observing them, gives an insight into how a society so full of discrepancies works and operates. "To live from day to day. That is life in L.A." Mirna, Los Angeles Garment Worker from Guatemala. Undocumented migration to the U.S. and the U.S.-American textile and garment industry are examples that demonstrate well the interconnectedness of international economic interests, policy-making and migration flows.

Contents: (1) Background on Violent Crime; (2) Scope of the Gang Problem: Defining Gangs; Transnational Gangs; Factors Exacerbating the Gang Problem; Poverty and a Lack of Educ. and Employ. Opport.; Societal Stigmas; Role of the Media; Anti-Gang Law Enforce. Efforts; Prisons in Need of Reform; U.S. Deportations; (3) Country Anti-Gang Efforts: Mano Dura (Heavy-Handed) Anti-Gang Policies; Effects of Mano Dura Policies?; Alternative Approaches; Prospects for Country Prevention and Rehab. Efforts; Regional and Multilateral Efforts; OAS; Multilateral Develop. Banks and Donor Agencies; (4) U.S. Policy: Congressional Interest; U.S. Internat. Anti-Gang Efforts; State Dept.; Justice Dept.; USAID; Policy Approaches and Concerns.

Experiencing both the enormous benefits and the serious detriments of globalization and economic restructuring, Southern California serves as a magnet for immigrants from many parts of the world. This volume advances an emerging body of work that centers this region's future on the links between the two fastest-growing racial groups in California, Asians and Latinos, and the economic and social mainstream of this important sector of the global economy. The contributors to the anthology—scholars and community leaders with social science, urban planning, and legal backgrounds—provide a multi-faceted analysis of gender, class, and race relations. They also examine various forms of immigrant economic participation, from low-wage workers to entrepreneurs and capital investors. Asian and Latino Immigrants in a Restructuring Economy documents the entrenchment of various immigrant communities in the socio-political and economic fabric of United States society and these communities' role in transforming the Los Angeles region.

Salvadorans and other Central Americans have a strong presence in the United States because of the recent civil wars, natural disasters, and resulting economic downturns in the region. Most fled the right-wing death squads that were funded by the Reagan and first Bush Administrations and that targeted civilian populations in the 1980s and 1990s. The war in El Salvador left more than 80,000 people dead and more than 9,000 disappeared. In The Salvadoran Americans, readers will understand the fuller context of Salvadoran and Central American immigration to the United States and how these new Americans are adjusting to and contributing to U.S. society. The land of El Salvador and its demography, language, history, including the war and Peace Accords, culture, and religion are briefly surveyed to begin. A major section then covers the immigration laws and status of the refugees once they arrived. The reasons for emigration and waves of migrations of Central Americans since the 1870s are explained further. Recent demographics offer concrete numbers to better analyze the new populations. Other chapters cover adjustment and integration issues, emphasizing family and community influences. Employment, political, health, and youth issues, including gang participation, are discussed. The contributions to U.S. society and culture, including participation in the labor force, food, and artistic output, as well as profiles of noted Salvadorans in the United States, round out the narrative.

Recent attacks on Ethnic Studies, revisionist actions in curriculum content, and anti-immigrant policies are creating a new culture war in America. This important work lays out the current debates—both in K–12 and higher education—to uncover the dangers and to offer solutions. In 2010, HB 2281—a law that bans ethnic studies in Arizona—was passed; in the same year, Texas whitewashed curriculum and textbook changes at the K–12 level. Since then, the nation has seen a rise in the legal and political war on Ethnic Studies, revisionist actions in curriculum content, and anti-immigrant policies, creating a new culture war in America. "White" Washing American Education demonstrates the value and necessity of Ethnic Studies in the 21st century by sharing the voices of those in the trenches—educators, students, community activists, and cultural workers—who are effectively using multidisciplinary approaches to education. This two-volume set of contributed essays provides readers with a historical context to the current struggles and attacks on Ethnic Studies by examining the various cultural and political "wars" that are making an impact on American educational systems, and how students, faculty, and communities are impacted as a result. It investigates specific cases of educational whitewashing and challenges to that whitewashing, such as Tom Horne's attack along with the State Board of Education against the Mexican American studies in the Tucson School District, the experiences of professors of color teaching Ethnic Studies in primarily white universities across the United States, and the role that student activists play in the movements for Ethnic Studies in their high schools, universities, and communities. Readers will come away with an understanding of the history of Ethnic Studies in the United States, the challenges and barriers that Ethnic Studies scholars and practitioners currently face, and the ways to advocate for the development of Ethnic Studies within formal and community-based spaces.

Save time—inform your clinical planning with core knowledge and tips offered from experienced clinicians! While many Hispanic groups have lived in the mainland United States for years, there now is a growth of new groups, such as Dominicans in New York City and Cuban refugees that are in need of culturally competent mental health care. Mental Health Care for New Hispanic Immigrants: Innovative Approaches in Contemporary Clinical Practice will help mental health clinicians gain insight into essential clinical issues facing those who work with these new immigrants. This text, designed to aid in direct clinical practice, will guide you in the effective delivery of comprehensive psychosocial services. It arms you with the latest demographic information and offers valuable suggestions for treatment in different modalities for under-served Hispanic groups. Mental Health Care for New Hispanic Immigrants: Innovative Approaches in Contemporary Clinical Practice presents insights and practice approaches from respected authorities and explores latest trends on these new populations. You’ll find an in-depth examination of the mental health disparities in Hispanic immigrants, a conceptual overview of reasons for immigration and migration patterns, and a look at the unique stressors new groups face which impact immigrants’ mental health. Detailed data on each group, important highlights of pertinent historical aspects, and in-depth discussions of helpful assessment, treatment, and practice issues provide effective approaches illustrated through discussion and case studies. In Mental Health Care for New Hispanic Immigrants: Innovative Approaches in Contemporary Clinical Practice, you will find: detailed research and clinical information about new immigrant groups explorations of the growth of new groups, such as Dominicans in New York City and Cuban refugees recently reaching the shores of Florida information on psychosocial stressors, psychiatric diagnoses, and utilization of services among undocumented immigrants effective outreach techniques a detailed list of resources including extensive Web sites, national centers for the study of Hispanic groups, and important published works used for research and practice up-to-date demographics on new groups Mental Health Care for New Hispanic Immigrants: Innovative Approaches in Contemporary Clinical Practice brings vital information geared to the direct practice professional in psychology, social work, psychiatric nursing, and psychiatry, as well as graduate-level students in these fields.