Ernesto Castañeda

@drernestocast.bsky.social

9K followers 1.9K following 2.4K 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 · 2d

Get your free tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/venezuelas...

Venezuela's Future — and Ours

An analysis of how the Trump administration’s intervention in Venezuela will affect that nation, the U.S., and the rest of the world.

www.eventbrite.com

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 2d

Around 150 people showed up yesterday in downtown DC to learn more about U.S. government actions affecting Venezuelans. I will be repeating the talk at AU tomorrow at 2:30 pm. There is paid parking on campus and a free shuttle from the Tenleytown metro station.

Reposted by Ernesto Castañeda

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2d

SWALWELL: Your staying on to lead ICE is a decision. Considering the dishonorable acts of those that have worked for you, will you resign from ICE?

LYONS: No sir I won't

SWALWELL: Why not?

LYONS: Because that child your showing -- ICE took care of him when his father abandoned him

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 2d

It explores the complex migration pathways undertaken by individuals who arrived in the Washington D.C. metro area. The findings reveal a clear distinction between formalized legal migration routes & highly dangerous irregular journeys, yet people coming through both routes experience instability.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 2d

Any comments welcome. We will incorporate them in the final version. Paper written with 2 AU MA students with data from @theimmigrationlab.bsky.social
This article explores "community trauma" associated with migrating @aucollege.bsky.social
#MASociology #AmericanUniversity
doi.org/10.20944/pre...

This article explores the complex migration pathways undertaken by individuals who arrived in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. The findings reveal a clear distinction between formalized legal migration routes and highly dangerous irregular journeys, yet people coming through both routes experience instability and a proactive desire for a more viable future.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 3d

Happening soon today!

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 9d

Maduro was taken by force by U.S. forces a month ago (January 3, 2026).

On Monday, February 9, I will discuss the causes and consequences at a
Profs and Pints event in downtown DC.

Join a great, curious, and engaged crowd that is always open to learn.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 3d

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Performance - Latino Pride & Political Statement
What I said back in October 2025
youtu.be/0UVgkTKkmAU

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Performance - Latino Pride & Political Statement

YouTube video by ErnestoCast

youtu.be

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

And here, the full performance.
youtu.be/G6FuWd4wNd8?...

Bad Bunny's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show

YouTube video by NFL

youtu.be

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

The community celebrated with him, and through him, during a challenging time, and thus, in his own eyes, his work and risks were worth it.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

Trusting his team to catch him after he falls backwards from the roof of the casita is a good metaphor about how he knew that Puerto Ricans, Latinos, immigrants, and Americans would have his back, despite the death threats and the need to wear a bulletproof vest during the Grammys ceremony.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

Bad Bunny recently won the Grammy for Album of the Year, is the most-streamed artist globally on Spotify and other platforms, and the Super Bowl halftime show, enjoyed by millions, is as close as any cultural act can get to making it into the mainstream.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

Equally important, the show made Latino kids and teenagers feel proud of who they are. It also made Latinos and non-Latinos, whether they speak Spanish or not, proud of their musical tastes.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

The percentage of Trmp voters was largest among whites. But yes, some Latinos who voted R in 2024, already showed a change of mind in the 2025 elections, and will do so even more in this 2026 midterm elections.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

MAGA proposes that these types of performances threaten US culture. But the USA is stronger than that.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

The positive message about love & inclusivity is a strong antidote to ICE operations & anti-immigrant, anti-Latino discourse. As a Puerto Rican, Bad Bunny is a U.S. citizen, but like many others in the streets, he is racialized & treated as having fewer rights & valid political claims.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

When Bad Bunny was announced, some said they would boycott, that ICE would be present and carry out mass arrests, that people would not watch the show, or that it would go badly. None of that happened. The hate and fearmongering just made Bad Bunny's performance even more special and powerful.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

That is why most people in the U.S. were against ICE and mass deportations before the Super Bowl halftime show. But it could have reached and created empathy, even admiration, for some people who were on the fence, do not follow the news, or live in areas with few immigrants.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

Performances like this help weaken MAGA's political project even without any direct references to the current administration. But most importantly, they are a reminder of what most people can see: that Latinos, Asians & Africans are part of U.S. communities, schools, labs, the art and music scenes.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

MAGA proposes that these types of performances threaten US culture. But the USA is stronger than that.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

MAGA proposes that these types of performances threaten US culture. But the USA is stronger than that.

Reposted by Dan Immergluck

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

Halftime performance showed how most Latinos love America, even if some parts of America do not love them back.

It showed the reality that Latinos and Spanish are part of America's culture, its history, present & future.
As references to salsa show, this is not a new phenomenon but a good reminder.

Rima I Anabtawi @rimaanabtawi.bsky.social · 4d

Bad Bunny brought Puerto Rico to the Bay during his Super Bowl LX halftime show on Sunday.

Check out the latest updates from on and off the field at the link in our bio.

@sfchronicle.com

📸: @scottstrazzante @stephenlamphoto.bsky.social

Reposted by Ernesto Castañeda

Rima I Anabtawi @rimaanabtawi.bsky.social · 4d

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

Immigrants are often used as a scapegoat for the failures of big businesses and policy makers. #Immigration #Myths

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

It's difficult to pin it on 1 factor but the main reasons include uncertainty around trade policies - and industries such as tech over-hiring during the pandemic Overall the reasons why Americans struggle are complex but it's factually incorrect to blame immigrants for those struggles.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

So if immigrants aren't to blame for the poor job market then what is?

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

Immigrants often fill jobs that native-born workers don't want while also filling high-skilled roles in tech creating a broader job market Additionally immigrant labor helps fill critical labor shortages supports industries pays taxes and positively contribute to economic output.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

In 2023, when the share of immigrants in the labor force was at its highest, the average unemployment rate for the US-born workers was at its lowest.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

It is a common belief that when immigrants arrive they take jobs from citizens but it is the opposite.

Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 4d

Many people believe immigrants are to blame for the poor job market, but how true is that? This is Immigration Nuance in 60 Seconds. Today we are covering the claim that immigrants are stealing jobs from US citizens.

Reposted by Ernesto Castañeda

Petra Verdonk she/her @petraverdonk.bsky.social · 4d

Interesting: “We, as Western nations, must choose between becoming closed and impoverished societies or open and prosperous ones. Growth or retreat: Those are the two options before us. And by growth, I’m not talking only about material gain, but also our spiritual development.”

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