Presentation by Dr. Alvaro Huerta regarding his new book, “Defending Latina/o Immigrant Communities: The Xenophobic Era of Trump and Beyond”

Dr. Alvaro Huerta will be presenting his book, Defending Latina/o Immigrant Communities: The Xenophobic Era of Trump and Beyond, a collection of short essays and stories, which focuses on one of the most vilified, demonized, and scapegoated groups in the United States: Latina/o immigrants. Using his rigorous academic training, public policy knowledge, and community activist background, as well as his personal and familial experiences as the son of Mexican immigrants, Alvaro Huerta defends and humanizes los de abajo/those on the bottom. He skillfully re-frames how Latina/o immigrants should be viewed as productive and important members in this country, debunking the xenophobic tropes, lies, and myths about Latina/o immigrants as criminals, social burdens, and national security threats. Accompanied by the brilliant art of an acclaimed artist, Salomon Huerta, this book also investigates intersectional issues related to race, class, place, and state violence.

Dr. Alvaro Huerta holds a joint faculty appointment in Urban & Regional Planning and Ethnic & Women’s Studies at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. As an interdisciplinary scholar, Dr. Huerta teaches and conducts research on the intersecting domains of community & economic development, Chicana/o & Latina/o studies, immigration, Mexican diaspora, social movements, social networks and the informal economy. Among other scholarly publications, he’s the author of the book, Reframing the Latino Immigration Debate: Towards a Humanistic Paradigm (2013). As a prolific public speaker, among colleges/universities, community-based centers, etc., he has delivered two TEDx talks: Reframing Migration as Human Right & Life Lessons from a Scholar. Born in the U.S., he was raised in a Mexican colonia (Colonia Libertad in Tijuana, Baja California) and an American barrio (Ramona Gardens housing project or Big Hazard projects in East Los Angeles, Alta California), where he experienced/witnessed abject poverty, extreme violence and, overall, a state of hopelessness. He holds a Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning from UC Berkeley. He also holds an M.A. in Urban Planning and a B.A. in History from UCLA.

Praise for Defending Latina/o Immigrant Communities

“A passionate and insightful account of that complex condition we refer to as immigration. Alvaro Huerta brings to the fore the deeper meanings of us all, people on the move.” —Saskia Sassen, Robert S. Lynd Professor of Sociology, Columbia University

“‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free . . . ,’ cries the Statue of Liberty with silent lips. Huerta’s compassionate essays complete her sentence. The message is loud and clear: ‘the wretched have a place in America, for it is they who make it worth.’” —Ilan Stavans, Lewis-Sebring Professor in Latin American and Latino Culture, Amherst College

“We want to know Huerta’s parents, don glasses that allow, as reading these editorials, essays, and thought pieces encourages, a relationship to real people and real issues. As Cesar Chavez would say or ask, to paraphrase, what could be more right than to honor the labor and contributions of those who bring food to the table so that we all might eat?” —Deena J. González, provost and senior vice president, Gonzaga University

“Huerta’s book brings the immigration issue back to earth. Aside from being an excellent scholar, he is an activist who encapsulates the Left’s voice in the immigration debate. This book synthesizes the more progressive currents of the debate and is a must-read for anyone seeking a just and lasting solution.” —Rodolfo F. Acuña, professor emeritus of Chicana and Chicano studies, California State University, Northridge

This is a Free Event.  No RSVP required. 

Books for Sale ($20; tax included)

Location: CASA 0101 Theater, 2102 East First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033

Sponsor: Philosophies of Liberation Encuentros

Moderator: Jimmy Centeno