This book investigates how diverse populations of Latin American origin in the United States are collectively racialized into a single, often marginalized, group. It examines the governmental policies, societal perceptions, and activist categorizations that flatten the rich diversity of Hispanic and Latino peoples into monolithic labels like 'Hispanics,' 'Latinos,' or 'illegals.' The author explores the consequences of this racialization, including policy-driven discrimination, police profiling, economic exploitation, and violence, drawing on examples from various U.S. and international settings to illustrate the national and global implications of these processes.

The book critically examines the processes by which the U.S. government and society construct and apply racial categories to diverse Latin American populations. It highlights how these racializing processes lead to significant policy implications, including discrimination and exploitation. The work draws on a range of settings to illustrate the complex interplay between national and international factors in shaping these experiences. The author's analysis underscores the often-unseen societal and governmental mechanisms that contribute to the marginalization of these communities.