The number of immigrants—mostly from Latin America—jumped in southern U.S. states over the past decade and a half. As studies on acculturation rates indicate, southerners' practice of demonizing immigrants because they "refuse to assimilate" can contribute to delays in assimilation, explains Elaine C. Lacy of the University of South Carolina at Aiken.

Finding balance between enforcing immigration laws and maintaining a sound, competitive state economy are priorities over the rhetoric clouding the immigration debate, writes Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine.

Immigration experts joined Jorge Castañeda, Mexico's former secretary of foreign affairs, to discuss his new book Ex Mex: From Migrants to Immigrants, and the challenges facing immigration reform in the United States.

Immigration emerged as one of the most divisive issues during U.S. presidential campaigns in advance of the Iowa caucus. Yet a decision must be made on immigration policy, said Ex Mex author Jorge Castañeda in an AS/COA interview: "It's either regression...or reform." Meanwhile, U.S. states approve increasing numbers of immigration-related laws.

In the next 25 years, the large scale retirement of baby boomers presents the potential for major shifts toward racial integration in the U.S. labor market, writes Richard Alba of University at Albany, SUNY.  Alba predicts that, as well-paid retirees leave the labor force, immigrants and non-whites could rise to fill positions, leading to "unprecedented diversification."

Former Mexican Foreign Minister Jorge Castañeda, author of Ex Mex: From Migrants to Immigrants, played a firsthand role in attempts to forge a U.S.-Mexican immigration deal. He says reform could come in time, but U.S. leaders remain hesitant: "Who wants to take a leadership position on this and then get slammed in Iowa?"

Without comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level, U.S. states are now passing their own legislation. In the first of a series of U.S. immigration updates, AS/COA outlines how new state laws affect public benefits, employment, and identification.