​Steven P. Wallace is associate Center director and co-author of a new binational report about Latin American immigrants in the United States. In this brief interview, Wallace discusses reasons for their migration, why it's difficult for migrants to climb the economic ladder, and the health challenges they face.

Q: Your report says 17.5 million Latin American natives lived in the U.S. from 2010 to 2014. Who are they and why did they choose to emigrate?

​In 2014, two-thirds of Latin American immigrants were from Mexico, about 1 in 5 was from Central America (most from El Salvador, Guatemala or Honduras), and the remainder were from South America (half from Colombia, Ecuador or Peru).

People migrate for a variety of reasons. Research has shown many Central Americans left their countries because of armed conflicts, natural disasters and economic problems that created social chaos. Many South Americans moved to use their more advanced education and skills in the States. Mexicans with limited education have long provided a labor force for U.S. agriculture and other industries.

Q: Are immigrants' lives better in the United States?

They don't have to deal with armed conflict here, but they face different challenges, particularly regarding jobs and health. ​Because almost half of Latin American immigrants in the U.S. are undocumented, their access to public health programs is very limited. Whether they are documented or not, many Latin American immigrants are employed in low-paying jobs that lack health benefits, such as the approximately one million immigrants who work a construction job in this country.

This means many immigrants are working without a safety net. If they get sick or injured, it's not just a health event, it's a financial disaster for them and their families. And it's a threat to our entire society because like it or not, we are dependent on immigrants and the labor they provide. So even if you are not swayed by the humanitarian and ethical arguments in favor of providing health care to all, you could make a strong business argument that not providing some kind of basic health care for the undocumented is just plain foolish for our economy.

Q: Hasn't research shown that undocumented immigrants are younger and healthier than the general U.S. population?

​Studies have shown that immigrants are healthy when they first arrive. But they age at a faster rate than people born in the U.S. They develop higher rates of obesity and diabetes the longer they live here, particularly immigrants from Mexico and Central America. In addition, our report showed that mental health needs may be high for Latin American migrants who faced violence and other threats during their migration. Facing racism or discrimination once they arrive can also impact mental health. Finally, the U.S. population in general, including Latin American residents, is aging, which brings a whole host of additional health burdens.