Unexpected Diplomats

Nativism has been winning in the wealthy nations of the global North, where backlash over increasing international migration has resulted in prohibitive class barriers to immigrant rights. Even the most enlightened among us view these trends as inescapable. However, as this book shows, we must look outside the wealthy countries for answers to protecting the livelihoods and humanity of immigrants from all backgrounds.

Low- to middle-income countries in the global South frequently belong to one of the 24 regional organizations that promote rights for intra-regional migrants, many of which give immigrants access to lawful permanent residency, citizenship, and rights. But how do state officials participating in these regional organizations overcome nativist opposition and ensure that regional agreements become national immigration laws? Focusing on the case of Mercosur in South America, Deisy Del Real uncovers the hidden work of "unexpected diplomats"—mid-level state bureaucrats who have successfully removed class barriers to immigrant legalization and rights.

Del Real offers a new way to understand how regional organizations create the conditions to counter nativism and advance immigrant rights, even in politically resistant environments.