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.

January 1 marked an end to all tariffs on agricultural goods—including corn and sugar—traded between the U.S. and Mexico. But NAFTA could hit roadblocks in 2008: Mexican truckers face barriers to accessing U.S. roads and presidential campaigns have taken protectionist tones.

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."

Speaking at AS/COA's 7th Annual Latin America Conference, New York Congressman Joseph Crowley emphasized the importance of trade and investment for boosting U.S. relations with Latin America. "We are finally waking up to the importance of economic and social development in our own neighborhood," said Crowley.

Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez, speaking at the James A. Baker Institute for Public Policy, discussed the importance of trade to the U.S. economy. He also spoke about free trade in the Americas, saying rejection of a free-trade agreement with Colombia "would be not just a step backwards, but one of the biggest foreign policy mistakes of our time in our region."

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?"