For over a decade, Latino immigrants, especially those of Mexican origin, have been at the heart of the immigration debate and have borne the brunt of conservative populism. Contributing factors to the public reaction to immigrants in general and Latinos specifically include the sheer size of recent immigration, the increasing prevalence of Latinos in the work force, and the geographic concentration of Latinos in certain areas of the country. Based on a conference held at the Julian Samora Institute (Michigan) in April 1995, this book is organized around two main themes. The first discusses patterns of immigration and describes several immigrant communities in the United States; the second looks in depth at immigration issues, including economic impacts, employment, and provision of education and other services to immigrants. Papers and commentaries are: (1) "Introductory Statement" (Steven J. Gold); (2) "Immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean: A Socioeconomic Profile" (Ruben G. Rumbaut); (3) "Discrimination and Conflict: Minority Status and the Latino Community in the United States" (Juan L. Gonzales Jr.); (4) "The Demography of Mexicans in the Midwest" (Rogelio Saenz); (5) "Historical Foundations of Latino Immigration and Community Formation in 20th-Century Michigan and the Midwest" (Dennis Nodin Valdes); (6) "Islanders in the States: A Comparative Account" (Sherri Grasmuck, Ramon Grosfoguel); (7) "Emerging Latino Populations in Rural New York" (Enrique E. Figueroa); (8) "Immigration to the United States: Journey to an Uncertain Destination" (Philip Martin); (9) "Borders and Immigration: Recasting Definitions" (Scott Whiteford); (10) "Mexico-to-U.S. Migration and Rural Mexico: A Village Economywide Perspective" (J. Edward Taylor); (11) "Job Competition Reassessed: Regional and Community Impacts from Los Angeles" (Abel Valenzuela Jr.); (12) "The Social Organization of Day-Laborers in Los Angeles" (Daniel Melero Malpica); (13) "Unpacking 187: Targeting Mejicanas" (Pierrette Hondagneu-Sotelo); (14) "Proposition 187 and Its Aftermath: Will the Tidal Wave Continue?" (Adela de la Torre); (15) "All Was Not Lost: The Political Victories of Mexican Immigrants in Guadalupe, California" (Victor Garcia); (16) "Other Important Points" (Enrique Figueroa); (17) "What Is Needed? More Interdisciplinary Work Drawing on the Humanities" (Denise Segura); and (18) "The Different Faces and Dimensions of Immigration: A View from Midwest Reality" (Manuel Chavez). Most papers contain references and author profiles. (SV)