Latino Immigration and Meatpacking in the Rural Midwest: An Inventory of Community Impacts and Responses

Abstract

This paper discusses Latino immigration to the rural Midwest as one micro effect of the macro process of economic globalization. Impacts of Latino immigrants moving into rural communities, and what communities have done in response to immigration are identified from case study literature and other sources. The author presents a summarized inventory of community impacts and responses, compares these trends to recent demographic changes in Missouri, and identifies opportunities for research and policy development in areas of community and economic development.