We are a hemisphere of immigrants. Over the last five centuries, immigrants have influenced the culture, politics, and economies of North and South America. A visit to Mexico City, Buenos Aires, New York, or Toronto makes clear that, more than any other region of the world, this hemisphere has become a global melting pot. Read the full article in the Summer 2008 issue of Americas Quarterly.
We are a hemisphere of immigrants. For thousands of years—before Europeans first set foot in what was called the “New World”—this hemisphere has attracted people from around the globe. Over the last five centuries, European, Asian and African immigrants have influenced the culture, politics and economies of North and South America. A visit to Mexico City, Buenos Aires, New York, or Toronto makes clear that, more than any other region of the world, this hemisphere has become a global melting pot.
Our hemisphere stands out on the modern map of immigration at a time when, according to the Global Commission on International Migration, some 3 percent of the world’s population—about 200 million people—are on the move. The U.S. had 38.4 million immigrants during 2005, according to the Commission, making it the prime destination in the Western Hemisphere. Canada was second, with 6.1 million, followed by Argentina (1.5 million), Venezuela (1 million), Mexico (644,000), and Brazil (641,000).
The result has been the creation...
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Sergio Muñoz Bata writes a weekly syndicated column published in 18 newspapers across 11 countries in the hemisphere. He is also both a former Los Angeles Times editorial board member and Executive Editor of La Opinión.
