Notes from the Field

Annual Conference Focuses on
Latino Immigration to Missouri

(with excerpts from an article written by)
Marta Maria Maldonado and Christopher C. Nelson
Department of Sociology, Iowa State University

“Cambio de Colores (Change of Colors) in Missouri” is an annual conference that focuses on issues related to the current Latino immigration to the state in particular, and the Midwest in general. In 2005, the program stressed efforts that impact policy-making and shape the practices being implemented in communities. To what extent is research affecting policy? What kinds of programs and practices are resulting? What are the policy implications of current and ongoing research efforts?

Researchers, extension specialists, lobbyists, policy makers, educators, law professionals, law enforcement agents, service providers, funding agency representatives and community members gathered together around the theme “Connecting Research to Policy and Practice: Hoy y Mañana.” Presenters examined this theme by focusing on five key areas: change and well-­being; civil rights; education; health; and youth, families and communities.

All participants acknowledged that the current scope of their practices and policies were ill-equipped to serve the increasing Latino populations. But it was also recognized that many such groups and organizations have made great progress. The inadequacy of current immi-gration policies was a key issue brought to the fore throughout many discussions. It was noted that while some things can be done at the state and local levels to enhance the quality of life of the communities where Latinos live, only the federal government can carry out the comprehensive policy changes that are needed. Thus, presenters punctuated the need for community groups, researchers, and those who work closely with communities in various capacities, to be proactively and continuously involved in discussion about immigration policy before legislative measures are introduced.

In Missouri, as in other states in the Midwest, the Latino population has increased rapidly in recent years. While many Latinos are moving into urban areas in these states, many others are entering rural areas that had not been typical destinations of Latino immigrants in previous decades. Cambio de Colores provided an opportunity to assess the possibilities and challenges that communities and institutions face as they adapt to these demographic changes and to the social and political dynamics such changes entail. While the focus of the conference was on the conditions, needs and contributions of Latinos, a broader goal stated by conference participants was that of elucidating effective ways to enhance community well-being in
Missouri and the Midwest.

As Missouri reforms its past practices and crafts and implements solutions like those
described above, they not only take a progressive step in improving the lives of Latinos in their state, but serve as an example of self-assessment and change that other states in the Midwest might consider as they address the challenges associated with a rapidly increasing Latino population.

All conference presentations can be accessed online at the conference Web site: http://www.cambiodecolores.org. Cambio de Colores 2006 is scheduled for April 19-21.

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Last updated May 12, 2006 .