Latin American Immigrants Research Articles

Differences in Eye Health, Access to Eye Care Specialists and Use of Lenses among Immigrant and Native-Born Workers in Spain.

Latin American immigrants make up 49% of the total immigrant population in Spain, yet little is known about their eye health. The aim of this study is to determine if there are differences in self-perceived eye health, access to eye care specialists, and use of lenses between a sample of Latin American immigrant workers from Colombia and Ecuador, and native-born workers in Spain. We used data from the PELFI cohort (Project for Longitudinal Studies of Immigrant Families). The sample consisted of 179 immigrant workers born in Colombia or Ecuador, and 83 Spanish-born workers. The outcome variables were self-perceived eye health, access to eye specialists, and use of lenses. A descriptive analysis of the sample was carried out, and the prevalence of the three outcome variables in immigrants and natives was calculated and adjusted for explanatory variables. Random effects logistic regression models examined eye health outcomes by workers’ country of birth. Immigrants are less likely to report poor self-perceived eye health than native-born (ORc 0.46; CI 95%, 0.22–0.96). Furthermore, they have less access to specialists (ORc 2.61; CI 95%, 1.32–5.15) and a higher probability of needing lenses but not having them (ORc 14.14; CI 95%, 1.77–112.69). This latter variable remained statistically significant after adjusting for covariates (ORa 34.05; CI 95%, 1.59–729.04). Latin American immigrants may not value the use of lenses, despite eye care specialists indicating that they need them. Eye health education is required to recognize the importance of using lenses according to their visual needs.

Acculturative stress, disability, and health treatment utilization among Asian and Latin American immigrants in the United States.

Empirical research has largely ignored the potential links between immigration-related stress and disability as well as immigration-related stress and health service utilization despite increasing scholarship on the association between acculturative stress and health. This study examined the associations between acculturative stress, disability, and health treatment utilization among Asian and Latin American immigrants in the United States. Data were from the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS), a nationally representative survey of Asians and Latinos living in the United States. The analytic sample contained 2653 immigrants. We utilized multivariable logistic regression and negative binomial regression analyses to examine the associations between acculturative stress and disability domains. We also examined the association between acculturative stress and treatment utilization, as this may have implications for how to best intervene to address any functional disability related to acculturative stress. Acculturative stress was significantly associated with self-reported disability across five domains: self-care, cognition, mobility, time out of role, and social interaction. Additionally, acculturative stress was significantly associated with a greater frequency of disability domains. Acculturative stress was not significantly associated with utilization of services from mental health or general health sectors, but was significantly and positively associated with utilization of non-health care services. The findings were robust regarding the inclusion of everyday discrimination as well as demographic and socioeconomic covariates. Acculturative stress may be an important yet overlooked correlate of disability among immigrants in the United States. Non-health care services may provide an effective pathway for intervening for these individuals.

Latin Americans and Caribbeans in Europe: A Cross‐Country Analysis

AbstractWith the beginning of the 21st century, there has been an acceleration of migratory flows from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to Europe. As a result, and despite the negative impact of the economic crisis, 4.6 million Latin American and Caribbean immigrants reside in Europe, half of them in Spain. This article analyses the recent evolution of these migratory flows, their territorial distribution, and their demographic profiles according to the 2011 European census data disseminated by a new tool —the Census Hub— implemented by the European Statistical System. The analysis shows the existence of a high LAC immigrant concentration in Spain and in certain European cities, a marked young and feminized demographic profile, a great variety of educational levels and a different insertion in each European labour market, although many LAC immigrants work in low‐skill occupations, being overqualified and underemployed in most of the countries.

Children of the Motherland: The Otherization of Latin American Immigrants in Contemporary Spain

Since the end of the twentieth century, Ramiro de Maetzu’s concept of Hispanidad has been tested by the experience of many Latin Americans who have immigrated to Spain. These immigrants, especially those who belong to ethnic or racial minorities, have faced social rejection. In other words, neither Spaniards nor Latin Americans feel the fraternity that Maetzu and others had preached. And, contrary to Hispanidad, Spain and its former colonies have an Others-versus-Us relationship, one that is complicated further by the intersection of factors such as race and ethnicity, which have profoundly shaped their immigration experience in the “Motherland.”

Spanish mass-media on Latin American migrants: between fear and pity

Mass-media discourse is a “mirror” of sorts, which reflects general opinions and allows for understanding society’s mindset concerning migration issues. This article is devoted to analyzing the images created by Spanish mass-media regarding Latin American immigrants residing in Spain. Such a vision ultimately led to the emergence of an enduring perception of said immigrants by Spanish society from two main points of view – fear and pity. Columbians and Ecuadorians served as the prototypes for all Latin Americans who illegally entered Spain. The author reveals the reasons for the “divide” in Spanish mass-media’s perception of Columbia and Columbians, who became synonymous with danger, as well as Ecuador and Ecuadorian immigrants, who are primarily associated with Испанские СМИ о латиноамериканских мигрантах: между страхом и жалостью 110 № 4, Том 10, 2019 compassion and pity. This article examines the main stages of Latin American migration to Spain at the end of the 20th century and at the beginning of the 21st century, which were primarily comprised in succession by immigrants from Columbia, Argentina, Venezuela and Cuba. The author characterizes the most numerous of Spain’s Latin American Diasporas. It is revealed that immigration is a collectively constructed social phenomenon. In turn the host society attributes certain characteristics to visitors (“others”) which they in fact do not possess. Such artificially assigned qualities are the result of a so-called “symbolic structure”, attributed to each “imaginary migrant”. Latin American migration to Spain is a result of a multitude of factors lying on various levels. However, it is very uncommon for the news to carefully examine the regional and global aspects of this process. This article reveals the specific image of Latin American migrants which developed in Spain towards the beginning of the 21st century. The author attempts to define the hidden ideology supporting the vast majority of those negative Latin American migrant stereotypes broadcast by national mass-media.

Attitudes of Latin American Immigrants Resident in Florida (United States) Toward Related Living Kidney Donation.

Latin American immigrants comprise an important population group in the United States. The purpose of this study was to analyze the attitude toward living kidney donation found among Latin American citizens who are residents in Florida and to identify the psychosocial variables affecting their attitude. A sample of Latin American residents in the state of Florida was randomly obtained and stratified by nationality, age, and sex (n = 1524). Attitude was assessed through a validated questionnaire that was self-administered and completed anonymously. Descriptive, Student t test and the χ2 test were used to analyze findings. The questionnaire completion rate was 94% (N = 1433), with 59% (n = 845) in favor of related living donation, 40% (n = 571) were opposed to donation, with the remaining 1% (n = 17) undecided. The following variables were related to attitude toward living donation: country of origin (P < .001), marital status (P < .001), having descendants (P = .004), educational background (P < 0.001), having had previous experience of donation and transplantation (P < .001), attitude toward deceased donation (P < .001), considering the possibility of needing a transplant (P < .001), the respondent's partner's opinion (P < .001), having considered the subject with one's family (P < .001), having carried out prosocial type activities (P < .001), the respondent's religion (P < .001), knowing that one's religion is in favor of this therapy (P < .001), concern about mutilation after donation (P < .001), and considerations of the risks of living donation (P < .001). The attitude toward related living kidney donation of Latin American residents in Florida is not very favorable (only 59%).

Indigenous Immigrants from Latin America (IILA): Racial/Ethnic Identity in the U.S.

AbstractIn recent decades, migration from all corners of the world has created one of the most racially/ethnically diverse immigrant populations in the history of the United States. While today migratory flows are predominantly from Asia, immigrants from Latin America continue to make up the largest immigrant group in the United States. The influx of this group reflects the heterogeneity of the Latin American region, including Latin American immigrants who identify as indigenous in their countries of origin. Through a brief overview of how indigeneity, race, and ethnicity have been historically framed in Latin America, I discuss how Indigenous Immigrants from Latin American (IILA) position their indigeneity within their racial/ethnic identity in the United States. I consider how migration shapes indigenous identity and propose the use of Social Identity Theory (SIT) to explore how IILA negotiate a racial/ethnic identity while maintaining their indigeneity in a U.S. context.

Representaciones de la inmigración latinoamericana en la cinematográfica española (1996-2008)

Este artículo interpreta las representaciones cinematográficas de la inmigración económica latinoamericana en España, entre 1996 y 2008. A través de un modelo de análisis socio-histórico del producto fílmico, se utilizó el cine como manifestación de las representaciones sociales y de las expresiones ideológicas, y se estableció un diálogo con las contribuciones de los campos de la Historia, Sociología y de los Estudios Poscoloniales. En este proceso, el cine refleja una serie de aspectos sociodemográficos presentes en esta diáspora. Además, simultáneamente, denuncia los conflictos sociales presentes en este fenómeno migratorio y emite modelos estereotipados, propagando secuelas de un discurso hegemónico neocolonialista.PALABRAS CLAVE: inmigración latinoamericana; Historia socioculturaldel cine; representación social; ideología; discurso neocolonial.

Inmigración en Berisso (Argentina, 1909-2010). Caracterización, distribución y segregación espacial.

A partir de fuentes secundarias provenientes del campo historiográfico y datos estadísticos tomados de distintas bases censales, en este artículo analizo las dinámicas migratorias que caracterizaron a la ciudad de Berisso (Argentina) a lo largo de todo un siglo (1909-2010). Dentro de este marco general el artículo posee dos objetivos específicos. Al no haber encontrado investigaciones que describan a la población extranjera de Berisso luego del censo de 1980, el primer objetivo específico es caracterizar demográficamente a dicha población mediante cuatro variables: continente y país de origen, sexo y edad. A partir de los Censos Nacionales de Población de los años 1991, 2001 y 2010 (INDEC) mostraré -entre otros datos- el descenso en la cantidad de inmigrantes europeos que viven en la ciudad, el envejecimiento de esa población, el aumento de los inmigrantes americanos y su creciente tasa de feminización. Finalmente me centraré en el censo del año 2010 para georreferenciar a la población extranjera de Berisso. Con esto me propongo, como segundo objetivo específico, analizar su segregación espacial: mientras los inmigrantes europeos viven (mayoritariamente) en el centro de la ciudad, los inmigrantes latinoamericanos se encuentran radicados (mayoritariamente) en su periferia sur.

Visa Wait Times and Future Earnings: Evidence from the National Survey of College Graduates

This study explores the relationship between lawful permanent resident status and earnings. We begin by estimating wage differentials between lawful permanent residents and immigrants on temporary visas. We find a wide variation in earnings differentials according to category of temporary visa, and find a negative differential between lawful permanent residents and immigrants on temporary work visas. We then examine the effect of longer wait times to obtain a permanent resident visa on immigrants’ income. Using data from the National Survey of College Graduates, we find that immigrants who enter the US on temporary work visas earn 2% less for each year between the time of entry into the US and when their permanent resident visa is issued. We find a similar relationship for immigrants who enter on student visas and have wait times of more than 5 years. Further, we find a larger relationship for African and Latin American and Caribbean immigrants.

Cruel and unusual

From early April to late June 2018, the nearly 2,600 immigrant children – mostly refugees fleeing violence and poverty in Central America – were forcibly taken from their parents at the United States’ southern border following implementation of the Trump administration's ‘zero tolerance’ policy. The policy took effect when the US Justice Department began aggressively prosecuting undocumented immigrants crossing the US‐Mexico border. Following a public outcry and growing protests, President Trump issued an executive order declaring an end to family separations on 20 June. Several days later, a federal court mandated that the government reunite those immigrant families affected by the ‘zero tolerance’ policy. In mid‐August, more than 550 children who had been detained following the implementation of the policy remained in federal custody. Thousands more ‘unaccompanied minors’ – typically teenagers who were caught crossing the border without adults –remain in indefinite detention. This editorial analyzes this situation from an anthropological perspective by reviewing relevant ethnographic literature on undocumented Latin American immigrants in the US.

The last possible resort: Latin American migrants’ rapport with Spanish healthcare

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between Latin American migrants and the Spanish healthcare system, from the users’ perspective, in order to examine the socio-cultural determinants for access and attention, as well as the possible difficulties faced when attending institutional facilities.Design/methodology/approachThis work is based on qualitative ethnographic research with the Latin American community established in the region of Castile and León, Spain. Analysis was established through a thematic approach and illustrated with the testimonies of participants involved, to inspect personal meanings and interpretations, as well as specific practices regarding healthcare.FindingsThe encounter between foreigners and health services is frequently expressed with negative emotions, such as feelings of fear facing a system that is perceived as designed “for others.” For many Latin American immigrants in Spain, institutional healthcare is not considered their first choice for treating illness. This has been related to economic, bureaucratic, ideological and emotional factors.Originality/valueMost of the existing literature about immigrant healthcare in Spain has focused on sanitary conditions or patterns of service use from an institutional perspective and a quantitative approach. This paper highlights the perceptions of users to enrich comprehension of the rapport between migrants and medical care.

Enhanced immigration enforcement in the USA and the transnational continuity of HIV care for Latin American immigrants in deportation proceedings

In our work as clinicians, researchers, and immigrant rights advocates, we have noted increased anxiety about the possibility of deportation and disruptions in care among immigrants with HIV. Before the 2016 US elections, patients rarely asked about HIV treatment in their home countries. However, since the increase in anti-immigrant rhetoric and arrests by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, patients have voiced concerns about the availability of HIV treatment in their home countries much more frequently. Although antiretroviral therapy is available throughout Latin America, access depends on economic, social, and political circumstances. Maintaining uninterrupted continuity of care among immigrants held in detention or deported to their home countries is challenging. In this Viewpoint, we identify periods of particular vulnerability for immigrants during deportation proceedings, from initial detention to deposition in their country of origin. We discuss the effect of enhanced immigration enforcement on the health and wellbeing of HIV-infected immigrants, and on public health. Finally, we also discuss recommendations for clinicians, immigration authorities, and public health institutions in the USA and in receiving countries.

Immigration, region of origin, and the epidemiology of venous thromboembolism: A population‐based study

BackgroundVenous thromboembolism (VTE) epidemiology has been mainly studied in populations largely of European ancestry. ObjectivesTo assess the epidemiology of VTE in immigrants to Ontario, Canada. Patients/MethodsWe conducted a population‐based retrospective cohort study using linked health‐care and administrative databases. We included 1 195 791 immigrants to Ontario and 1 195 791 nonimmigrants, matched on age, sex, and place of residence. The main exposure was ethnicity according to world region of origin, using a previously validated algorithm. The main outcome was incident onset of VTE during the period of observation. Risk ratios (RR) were calculated using Poisson regression models. ResultsThe incidence rate (IR) of VTE was lower among immigrants (0.87 per 1000 PY; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85‐0.89) than nonimmigrants (1.59 per 1000 PY; 95% CI 1.56‐1.61). Age‐ and sex‐standardized IR were lower among East and South Asian immigrants. Compared to immigrants for predominantly White regions, age‐ and sex‐specific RRs were consistently lower for East Asian (0.18‐0.30) and South Asian (0.29‐0.75) immigrants. In contrast, the RRs of VTE among Black (0.38‐1.50), Latin American (0.29‐1.25), Arab/Middle Eastern (0.44‐1.08) and West Asian (0.31‐1.16) immigrants were not significantly different from White immigrants. ConclusionsIn Ontario, the incidence of VTE is lower among immigrants compared to nonimmigrants. East and South Asian immigrants have a lower risk of VTE compared to White immigrants.

Alcohol-related problem behaviors among Latin American immigrants in the US

BackgroundPrior research indicates that Latino immigrants are less likely than US-born individuals to use alcohol and meet criteria for an alcohol use disorder. However, our understanding of alcohol-related problem behaviors among Latino immigrants remains limited. We report the prevalence of alcohol-related problem behaviors among Latino immigrants vis-à-vis the US-born and examine the relationship between alcohol-related problem behavior and key migration-related factors and injury/receipt of emergency medical care. MethodsThe data source used for the present study is the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC-III, 2012–2013), a nationally representative survey of 36,309 civilian, non-institutionalized adults ages 18 and older in the US. Logistic regression was employed to examine the relationship between immigrant status and key outcomes. ResultsForeign-born Latinos were less likely to report one or more alcohol-related problems compared to US-born Latinos (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.33–0.50) and the US-born general population (AOR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.32–0.46). Latino immigrants arriving as children were, compared to those arriving later in life, significantly more likely to report alcohol-related problem behaviors, and experiences of discrimination were linked with greater risk of alcohol-related problem behavior as well. Latino immigrants reporting recurrent injury/emergency medical care utilization were more likely to report alcohol-related problem behavior. ConclusionsLatino immigrants are significantly less likely than US-born Latinos and the US-born general population to operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, take part in risky behaviors or fight while drinking, or to be arrested due to alcohol consumption.

Homeownership Among Latin American Immigrants in New Destinations

One of the most profound demographic changes in the United States over the past several decades is the redistribution of immigrants from Latin America to new destinations. However, little attention has been paid to differences in homeownership by national origin and destination type among this population. This is surprising because homeownership is a most significant investment and component of wealth for most residents. Using the American Community Survey to examine the likelihood of owning a home among immigrants from Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala, the main objective of this research was to investigate how homeownership among the three immigrant groups intersects with destination type. The results indicate that these immigrants have significantly lower rates of homeownership in new destinations than in established settlement areas after controlling for a host of individual and metropolitan‐level characteristics. At the same time, the role of destination is not the same for all groups. Guatemalans have the lowest levels of homeownership overall, but Mexican immigrants are the least likely to own a home in new destinations. These findings are further explored and discussed.

Entrepreneurial immigrants’ mobility with cultural and creative initiatives in Madrid’s Community

Cultural and creative industries have an increasing impact on the economic and social development of the 21st century. The main objective of this article is to bring into debate within the academic community the contribution that the Latin American immigrants make to the economic and social development in Madrid through their cultural and creative initiatives. Specifically, we explore through documentary analysis the social dimension of cultural and creative industries in immigrants’ lives as actors of their own future. Elements such as gastronomy, music or religion have always crossed different borders. However, ICT facilitates new migratory flows, such as the mobility of entrepreneurs of art and culture. Cultural and creative industries, besides being a resource for economic mobility, are also a source of identity, create a sense of belonging and facilitate social cohesion.

Recentering U.S. Empire: A Structural Perspective on the Color Line

In the past 20 years, scholars of top sociology and race and ethnicity articles increasingly have mentioned the term “color line.” Prominent among them are sociologists concerned with how incoming waves of Latin American and Asian immigration, increasing rates of intermarriage, and a growing multiracial population will affect the U.S. racial order. While much of this work cites Du Bois, scholars stray from his definition of the color line in two ways. First, they characterize the color line as unidimensional and Black–white rather than as many divisions between non-white people and whites. Second, scholars portray the color line as the outcome of microlevel factors rather than the product of international geopolitical arrangements. I contend that in contrast to scholarship that portrays immigrants and intermarried and multiracial people as shifting the color line, international and imperial policies related to immigration, intermarriage, and multiracial identification are longstanding sites of the construction of the U.S. racial order. Scholars should conceptualize the United States as an empire state in order to analyze the international political history of multiple color lines. In doing so, they can distinguish between differences in kind and degree of racial divisions.

Chagas disease knocks on our door: a cross-sectional study among Latin American immigrants in Milan, Italy

ObjectivesWe aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors for Chagas disease (CD) in Latin American immigrants and to evaluate the accuracy of diagnostic tests. Moreover, we offered to all positive subjects a complete free-of-charge clinical/instrumental evaluation as well as benznidazole treatment in order to stage the disease and verify drug tolerability. MethodsA cross-sectional survey of CD among Latin Americans living in Milan and its metropolitan area was conducted between July 2013 and July 2014. Blood samples were tested for serologic evidence of CD together with a questionnaire covering demographic and clinical-epidemiological information. ResultsForty-eight (9.6%) of the 501 tested subjects were conclusively diagnosed as having CD. The highest prevalence of CD was among those from Bolivia (43/169, 25.4%) and El Salvador (4/68, 5.9%). Older age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)] 1.05, p =0.004), a Bolivian origin (aOR 8.80; p =0.003), being born in the department of Santa Cruz (aOR 3.72, p =0.047), having lived in mud houses (aOR 2.68; p =0.019), and having an affected relative (aOR 12.77, p =0.001) were independently associated with CD. The ARCHITECT Chagas test showed the highest sensitivity (100%) and specificity (99.8%). Twenty-nine of the subjects with CD (60.4%) underwent disease staging, 10 of whom (35.7%) showed cardiac and/or digestive involvement. Benznidazole treatment was associated with high frequency of adverse reactions (19/27, 70.4%) and permanent discontinuation (8/27, 29.6%). ConclusionsCD is highly prevalent among Bolivians and Salvadorans living in Milan. Regions with a large Latin American immigrant population should implement programmes of active detection and treatment.

Does the Attitude Toward Organ Donation Change as a Function of the Country Where People Emigrate? Study Between Uruguayan Emigrants to the United States and Spain

IntroductionThe Uruguayan population is sensitized toward transplantation. However, it has not been studied how this awareness can change when emigrating to different countries. ObjectiveTo analyze the attitude toward cadaveric organ donation and living organ donation between the Uruguayan population residing in Florida (United States) and the Uruguayan population residing in Spain. MethodAdults born in Uruguay and residing in Florida and Spain were screened. The questionnaire “PCID—DTO Ríos” (donation of cadaveric organs) and “PCID—DVR Ríos” (living renal donation) were used. Subjects were randomly selected according to age and gender stratification. Support from Latin-American immigration associations in Spain and Florida was needed. The survey was anonymized and self-administered. Verbal consent was obtained to collaborate in the study. ResultsBecause the emigrant population to Spain is far larger than the emigrant population to the United States, a 2:1 proportional sampling was performed (n = 132). Sixty-seven percent of residents in Spain were in favor of organ donation at the time of death compared with 50% among residents in Florida (P = .082), and 100% of residents in Spain were in favor of living renal donation compared with 50% of those living in Florida (P < .001). ConclusionsThe attitude toward donation is more favorable among Uruguayan emigrants to Spain than emigrants to the United States, especially in related kidney donation.