Chris Zepeda-Millan

Finds that young U.S.- born Latinos view the Democratic Party as less welcoming when informed that deportations have been higher under President Obama than under his predecessor. Indicates that mass deportation policies have the potential to reshape the partisanship and politics of Latinos for years to come. 

Examines the development and dynamics of the historic 2006 immigrant rights demonstrations, the largest Latino civil rights protests in U.S. history and the largest immigrant rights protests in world history. Documents how activists used local ethnic media outlets, broad coalitions, and pre-existing community resources to impact the immigration policymaking process and 2008 Presidential Election.

Examines the effects of protests on the strength of Latino racial identity. Tests whether Latino perceptions of racialization changed during the series of demonstrations and finds that both during and after the marches, Latinos possessed a greater sense of racialization than before the marches. 

Evaluates the impact of protests on Latinos' perception of the commonality and competition with African Americans. Suggests that Latino survey respondents' proximity to marches had a positive impact on their perceptions of commonality with African Americans.

Uses the case of New York City to examine why certain immigrant groups participated in the 2006 protest wave more than others and why the city mobilized less compared with other major immigrant metropolises. Indicates that certain immigrant groups participated more than others because of how the issue of "illegal immigration" was racialized and framed by the media, and because of the disproportionate impact the proposed legislation would have had on them.

Finds that the offspring of the undocumented are not only not less likely to be civically engaged but are also more likely to protest on immigration issues and more optimistic that popular protest can induce political change.