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In a discussion of factors affecting the distinctive sociocultural status of Mexican Americans, the multidimensional character of this group is stressed, noting both its long-term presence in the geographical US & its status as one of the fastest-growing immigrant groups. Demographic characteristics are summarized, focusing on concentration in the Southwest, high urbanization, & disproportionate representation of the young, blue-collar, & poor. Vulnerability to economic fluctuations, language barriers, & restricted access to education are cited as factors perpetuating low Mexican-American SES. Potential & actual political mobilization is emphasized as critical to the future status of this group. 6 Tables. Modified HA.

Mexican Americans' rapid growth and com plexity compel awareness of this huge and often overlooked minority. Mexican Americans defy Census classification and color differentiation, departing sharply from the character istics of either European immigrants or black Americans. Such factors as settlement patterns, sharp discrimination and segregation, a historical lack of political opportunities, and depressed economic circumstances have made Mexican Americans one of the most distinctive groups in America today. Demographically, Mexican Americans are highly ur banized, young, disproportionately blue collar, and poor. Occupational gains are sluggish, with great sensitivity to changing economic conditions. Occupational mobility is so slow that it offers convincing evidence of a "dual labor market," trapping succeeding generations of Mexican Ameri cans. High immigration, poor education-particularly in Texas—language barriers, and divisive issues of bilingualism and biculturalism guarantee that many Mexican Americans will continue to experience poverty in the future. A hopeful sign for the future is the high level of political activity, both real and potential, now present in this community.

The shared social & physical space that characterizes the U.S.-Mexico border has generated numerous social & public policy concerns in the United States, from immigration issues to terrorist threats (House Committee on Homeland Security, 2006; Doty, 2007). These concerns reflect the border's elasticity & vulnerability regarding the level of criminalization the United States imposes on Mexicans crossing the border into the United States. However, these concerns focus on only one aspect of the border: its use as a line separating "us" from "them." As a result, little attention is given to the representativeness of the U.S.-Mexico border for a discourse on meaning & belonging, in particular, situating the Mexican body in border discourses. We borrow from critical theory to construct a discussion regarding the social & cultural representations of the U.S.-Mexico border & the movement of Mexican bodies into the United States (see Beltran, 2004). Contrary to conventional perceptions that the border is a fixed concept that demarcates "us" from "them," we argue that the border is constantly changing in form & meaning. The movement of Mexican bodies into U.S. social spaces illustrates this synergism. An implicit argument here is that the border has the potential to merge land & people together into a shared body of social & cultural representations. Adapted from the source document.