March 2025 Newsletter
Dear Latin Americanist Community,
We are closing the winter quarter ¡a tambor batiente! But before I turn to the interesting and timely set of events we have organized for the next two weeks, let me reiterate my solidarity with the many colleagues, faculty and staff, students and former students, UCLA supporters and members of the community at large who were affected by the wildfires. The recovery phase has started but it will be a long and complicated process, not without setbacks. Just a few days ago, the much-needed rain brought landslides to burnt areas and fire debris to the coast, endangering people and animals.
Talking about solidarity and empathy, two of the events we have organized this week examine the lives of undocumented Latin American immigrants, a population very much under siege due to current enforcement policies. Immigrants, regardless of legal status, are a vital part of our university and local communities and need our attention and support. On March 5, the photographer and independent journalist, David Bacon, will present “Immigrant Workers and the Recent History of Immigration Raids.” Attend this event in person or via zoom by registering here. This week, we continue our Latin America Mobilities series (co-sponsored with the Center for the Study of International Migration) with the presentation of the recently released book Sin Padres Ni Papeles: Unaccompanied Migrant Youth Coming of Age in the United States by Professor Stephanie Canizales (Sociology, UC Berkeley). I will have the privilege of discussing this timely book. The event will take place on Friday, March 7 in Bunche Hall 10383 at noon. You can also attend the event via zoom.
We have several other events before we briefly pause for spring break (check out the LAI Calendar!), but I want to highlight the presentation and celebration of Central American Counterpoetics: Diaspora and Rememory, a new book by our colleague Professor Karina Alma (Chicano/a and Central American Studies, UCLA). The event will take place on March 11, and you can check out the details here. Congratulations, Karina! Also, heartfelt congratulations to our colleague Patricia Gándara who was recently honored by the Mexican government with the Ohtli award, a recognition bestowed on individuals who contribute to improving the lives of Mexicans in the diaspora. Congratulations, Patricia!
The deadline to apply to the 2025 Latin American and Caribbean Graduate Student Research Grant competition is fast approaching—it is March 28! Learn about eligibility criteria, materials, and grant requirements here. The grant provides up to $2,000 in field research support to full-time UCLA graduate students working in Latin America and the Caribbean region.
Finally, I invite you to give to the mission of the UCLA Latin American Institute and its centers, programs, and working groups. Your generous contributions support the lively intellectual life of the institute, student research, and our vibrant outreach activities, and are more important than ever in these uncertain times.
Rubén Hernández-León,
Director of the UCLA Latin American Institute
