Ernesto Castañeda

@drernestocast.bsky.social

8.9K followers 1.9K following 2.1K posts

Director, The Immigration Lab; & The Center for Latin American & Latino Studies; Full Professor, Sociology, American University, DC. Immigration and the politics of the possible. Author of multiple books & articles. Public scholar. .. more

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Political science 36%

Sociology 30%

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Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · Nov 11

"Immigration Realities" is a thorough, research-based #analysis that debunks widespread #myths surrounding #immigration. Its well-supported #insights make it valuable for readers interested in a thoughtful public #dialogue @columbiaup.bsky.social Review here:
www.populismstudies.org/immigration-...

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · Nov 11

Get beyond myths and lies and learn about Immigration Realities.
www.amazon.com/Immigration-...
@columbiaup.bsky.social

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 21h

Good morning from the Golf of Mexico!

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 1d

Banning immigrants from "third-world countries" is already largely the case. More National Guard in DC is not the solution. #InvitadoDelDia @france24.com

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 1d

It is tragic that an Afghan asylee shot two members of the W.Va. National Guard in DC. This doesn't mean that Afghans should be deported. Most have been widely vetted. Our research shows that they need more support finding jobs matching their skills & that PTSD may be present among some.

Reposted by Rebecca Solnit, Brendan Nyhan, Steve Peers , and 12 more Rebecca Solnit, Brendan Nyhan, Steve Peers, Rosemary A. Joyce, Alison Phipps, Robert Black, Robert C. Richards, Alan Richardson, David R. Miller, Mary L. Dudziak, Julie Novkov, Aviel Roshwald, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, Ernesto Castañeda, Dunlap

Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 1d

Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing

"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."

Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social

Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.

www.washingtonpost.com

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 5d

If they are escaping a so-called “narco-state” violence, as declared officially by the U.S., they should be given asylum as a group. Furthermore, the immigration paroles and Temporary Protective Status (TPS) should be extended for Venezuelans already in the U.S. with residency papers.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 5d

further creating power vacuums that could take a long time to get settled; it could potentially send even more Venezuelans into neighboring countries and even to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 5d

How do you view the U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean—necessary action or dangerous escalation?
The U.S. military in the Caribbean is a dangerous escalation because it will not end with drug selling in the U.S.; it would destabilize Venezuela,

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 5d

not one seeking to take power in the U.S. or elsewhere for ideological or political reasons.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 5d

What is your reaction to the U.S. designating the Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization?
Exaggerated, inappropriate, unnecessary. The Cartel de los Soles does not meet the definition of a terrorist organization, as it is a criminal organization seeking profit,

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 5d

In reality, a U.S. direct intervention would only move things further underground, momentarily, and could eventually escalate things and likely increase violent attacks and civilian casualties.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 5d

but a few groups are openly calling for U.S. intervention in foreign soil as if a few targeted missile strikes or even a ground invasion were enough to end organized crime and bring violence down to zero.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 5d

What could be the regional consequences if tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela continue to rise?
This brings instability in the region. It also creates divisions among the people and political elites in Latin American countries; the majority oppose any U.S. intervention or direct attacks,

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 5d

"In other words, making America less hospitable to immigrants will eventually make America poorer."

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 5d

There is a link between immigration and productivity growth.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 5d

A smaller population resulting from lower immigration means a smaller economy well into the future. On top of that, more restrictive immigration means fewer working-age immigrants paying taxes, even as many of them wait years to get most federal benefits (or never become eligible for them).

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 5d

they’re also not spending money here. When consumer demand for goods and services diminishes, business owners don’t need to hire as many people. No doubt, the costs and uncertainty created by Mr. Trump’s tariff policies have also led businesses to hire fewer people.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 5d

The immigrants who aren’t here because of Mr. Trump’s policies not only aren’t working here;

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 5d

It was easy to predict that Trump’s immigration policies would reduce the number of people looking for work, what wasn’t always fully considered was that the choking-off of immigration would reduce labor demand as well:

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 5d

The immigrants who aren’t here are not only not working here; they’re also not spending money here. When consumer demand for goods and services diminishes, business owners don’t need to hire as many people." The costs and uncertainty created by tariffs have also led businesses to hire fewer people

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 5d

Fewer immigrants overall means fewer immigrants entering the work force and fewer immigrants spending money...

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 5d

Immigrants contribute ideas, skills, inventions, care, love, and top entertainment. Yet, "net immigration in 2025 is on track to be close to zero or even negative — more people will probably end up leaving the United States than entering for the first time in decades.

Benjamin Strick @bendobrown.bsky.social · 6d

X rolled out a new feature overnight showing where accounts are based. This network of “Trump-supporting independent women” that claimed to be “real Americans” are based in Thailand.

The photos were stolen from European models & posts pushed pro-Trump lines while targeting Islam and LGBTQ people.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 7d

@cdmigrante.bsky.social

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 7d

Congratulations to Centro de los Derechos del Migrante for its 20th Anniversary, to its Director #RachelMicah-Jones and to the award winners at the event in DC's Mexican Cultural Institute. #CDM20years

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 7d

Join us to explore the findings from a systematic evidence review investigating the nexus between immigration policy and human trafficking.

https://f.mtr.cool/bnisuexgpd

Reposted by Michael Evans

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 7d

"America’s 902 billionaires are collectively worth more than $6.7 trillion, the most wealth ever amassed by the nation’s ultra-rich, according to Forbes."
"Trump’s Cabinet is the wealthiest in US history, with a combined net worth of $7.5 billion."
wapo.st/4ipXaBd

Is he hearing himself? That is why business people and specially billionaires should not be politicians, shape policy or public opinion. They do not know what they are talking about and they do not know that.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 7d

Sometimes, it is good to hear the advice most people are giving and following to then set YOUR own path, one that works for who you are and what your priorities are.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 7d

People often give advice based only on their personal experience (N=1). Beware if they do not mention luck/happenstance/serendipity and provide the larger context, the landscape of the field, possible risks, different pathways, and under what conditions their advise may not work.

Every inspirational speech should start with a discussion of survivorship bias. That is, for many who followed that same path/advice, only very few succeeded. Akin to winning the lottery.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 8d

It was smart for both to focus on affordability and to focus on actually apprehending and potentially deporting foreign-born violent criminals rather than terrorizing minorities on the city streets. Sanctuary City regulations allow that.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 8d

As I predicted on live TV about an hour before the meeting began, the press conference between Trump and Mamdani was very friendly.

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