Five years after Hurricane Katrina (and in the midst of the BP oil spill) The Big Easy is still grappling with guestworker labor violations.

Last week, U.S. President Barack Obama approved an act that allocated $600 million to boost security along the border with Mexico. An AS/COA analysis looks at how the funds will be raised and spent.

The U.S. Trade Representative filed a complaint against Guatemala on July 30, claiming violations to labor rights agreed to under the Central American Free Trade Agreement. The dispute marks the first U.S. case of its kind within the framework of a trade pact.

After eight years in office, Colombian President Álvaro Uribe leaves his successor Juan Manuel Santos with strong ties to Washington.

A federal judge placed holds on some of the more controversial portions of Arizona’s new immigration law just a day before the legislation’s implementation. Access AS/COA’s resource guide to SB1070 and the temporary injunction.

In a pre-release from the forthcoming AQ, Governors Jan Brewer and Bill Richardson square off over Arizona’s new immigration law.

"While Washington hesitates, U.S. businesses are losing their competitive edge in Latin America as Europe, Canada, and Asia sign free trade agreements with our neighbors," writes AS/COA President and CEO Susan Segal.