Latinas/os and Immigration Reform: A Commentary to "Crossroads: The Psychology of Immigration in the New Century"—The Report of the APA Presidential Task Force on Immigration

Abstract

As immigration reform discussions reach a fever-pitch in Washington, DC, Dr. Melba J. T. Vasquez and the APA Presidential Task Force on Immigration released their report, Crossroads: The Psychology of Immigration in the New Century. Vasquez was the first Latina and first woman of color to be president of the American Psychological Association, and we commend her for commissioning this Task Force as part of her presidential initiatives. We also note the contributions of J. Manuel Casas to the report, as he is a member of the National Latina/o Psychological Association. This report is an important step for psychologists as we continue to balance the dialogues and discourse around immigration today in the United States. The report aims to describe the demography and experiences of immigrants and second-generation individuals, and takes a balanced approach in highlighting the strengths of this population and their contributions, as well as identifying key challenges, including issues of xenophobia, discrimination, and educational and clinical service limitations that adequately address their unique needs. The report underscores the importance of social, political, and economic contexts as a backdrop to understanding the challenges of immigrant communities, and provides a framework for reducing the educational, research, and applied disparities within psychology. Although the Task Force’s report focuses on all immigrant communities, this commentary highlights specific aspects that address the processes associated with Latina/o communities, while also identifying specific issues that warrant further consideration.