The Salvadoran Americans

Salvadorans and other Central Americans have a strong presence in the United States because of the recent civil wars, natural disasters, and resulting economic downturns in the region. Most fled the right-wing death squads that were funded by the Reagan and first Bush Administrations and that targeted civilian populations in the 1980s and 1990s. The war in El Salvador left more than 80,000 people dead and more than 9,000 disappeared. In The Salvadoran Americans, readers will understand the fuller context of Salvadoran and Central American immigration to the United States and how these new Americans are adjusting to and contributing to U.S. society.

The land of El Salvador and its demography, language, history, including the war and Peace Accords, culture, and religion are briefly surveyed to begin. A major section then covers the immigration laws and status of the refugees once they arrived. The reasons for emigration and waves of migrations of Central Americans since the 1870s are explained further. Recent demographics offer concrete numbers to better analyze the new populations. Other chapters cover adjustment and integration issues, emphasizing family and community influences. Employment, political, health, and youth issues, including gang participation, are discussed. The contributions to U.S. society and culture, including participation in the labor force, food, and artistic output, as well as profiles of noted Salvadorans in the United States, round out the narrative.

List of contents

Series Foreword
Background
El Salvador--The Land of Origin
Coming to the United States
U.S. Immigration Laws for Salvadorans and Status
Causes of Salvadoran and Central American Emigration and Waves of Migration
Demographics of Salvadorans and other Central Americans in the United States
Adjustment and Adaptation
Cultural Baggage and Integration
Health Perspectives in Salvadoran American Communities
Intergroup Issues Affecting Salvadoran American Communities
Impact on U.S. Society and Culture
Appendix 1. Noted Salvadorans in the United States
Apppedix 2. Salvadoran Immigration to U.S. per year.
Glossary of Commonly Used Salvadoran Words
Bibliography
Index

About the author

Carlos B. Cordova is Professor of Raza Studies at San Francisco State University.

Product details

• Authors: Carlos Cordova, Cordova Carlos B.
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.10.2005
• EAN: 9780313323065
• ISBN: 978-0-313-32306-5
• Series: New Americans
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Ethnology > Folklore; USA, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Minority Studies, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Comparative Politics, El Salvador, POLITICAL SCIENCE / World / Caribbean & Latin American, Comparative Politics, United States of America, USA, Ethnic groups and multicultural studies, Ethnic minorities & multicultural studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Biracial & Multiracial Studies, Race and Ethnicity: Latino and Hispanic Studies