Topic Overview

In this unit you will examine the experiences of Central Americans in the United States. Although, Central Americans have migrated and lived in the United States since the early 20th century, the focus of this unit will be on Central American migration to the United States during the 1980s, when the countries of Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala were experiencing revolution and civil wars.

After successful completing of this unit, you will be able to:

Analyze the reasons why Nicaraguans, Salvadorians and Guatemalans left their country of origin
Explain the challenges that Nicaraguans faced after 1980 in the city of Miami.
Examine their struggle to achieve a refugee status in the United States
Explain the emergence of the sanctuary movement in response to U.S. immigration policies toward Salvadorian and Guatemalan refugees.

Readings

Alejandro Portes and Alex Stepick. “A Repeat Performance? The Nicaraguan Exodus” City on the Edge: The Transformation of Miami. University of California Press. 1993. pp. 151-175.

Norma Stolz Chichilla and Nora Hamilton. In, David Gutierrez, Ed. “Central American Immigrants: Diverse Populations, Changing Communities.” The Columbia History of Latinos in the United States Since 1960. New York: Columbia University Press. 2004. pp. 187-228.

In order to achieve the learning unit objectives shared above, please complete the following assignments:

Read lecture
Download and read the articles assigned.
Watch Segment of Latino Americans on Central Americans
After reading the articles and lecture you must complete the discussion and the quiz.