A summary of major topics covered at the 2002 conference held in Oakland, CA, co-sponsored by the UC Berkeley Labor Center and attended by Asian/Pacific Islander (API) immigration rights activists from across the country. Topics include post-9/11 policies affecting the API community, such as the suspension of refugee immigration and H-1B visa restrictions. Sex trafficking, immigrant family reunification, and refugee quotas are also discussed. Each topic summary is followed by recommendations for policy, action, and further study.

Article details the activities and leadership structure of three Los Angeles-based Mexican “hometown associations” (HTAs)—organizations linking together immigrants from the same point of origin through (primarily) social and cultural activities in the new area, and projects for the betterment of the hometown. The authors describe the social and philanthropic activities common to most HTAs, while also noting major differences between organizations. A key point of investigation is the political involvement of the HTAs studied, and the potential for these organizations to emerge as progressive forces in immigrant rights and social justice battles. Finding reluctance on the part of many HTA leaders and members to move beyond culturally oriented activities, the authors explore internal conflicts over increased political activism, and offer possible reasons for the general lack of political involvement.