Consul General of Mexico in New York Rubén Beltrán outlines a new initiative bringing together Latin American consulates to expand services for immigrants in the tri-state area. He also describes the impact of local-level immigration laws and prospects for federal-level reform.

As Mexico’s drug war grows more deadly, the U.S. house approves a proposed regional security program involving the United States, Mexico, and Central America. But the Merida Initiative still faces political hurdles.

In an article for Viewpoints Americas, AS/COA President Susan Segal writes that, while free trade and NAFTA have taken the blame for manufacturing job losses in the U.S. Midwest, trade accounts for a substantial portion of U.S. growth that supports Midwestern manufacturing and agriculture.

Speaking at the COA’s 38th Washington Conference, Minister Prentice highlighted opportunities to improve North American trade flow, boost infrastructure, and enhance energy security.

In the absence of federal immigration reform and as immigrants settle in new destinations, U.S. states consider related legislation to an increasing degree. An economic slowdown and anti-immigrant laws affect Latino immigrants, who send fewer remittances home.

The North American Competitiveness Council provided a report on April 22 at the North American Leaders Summit in New Orleans. The report argues that government and business leaders must work harder to broaden public understanding of the benefits that flow from liberalized trade and investment within North America.

While at a New Orleans summit, leaders of Mexico, Canada, and the United States responded to recent criticism of NAFTA by lauding the trade deal. They also touched on immigration and border security.