September 2019
The Baker Institute Center for the United States and Mexico seeks to have a meaningful impact on the U.S.-Mexico relationship through original research, relevant solutions to binational policy issues, and the advancement of mutual understanding by convening leaders who can bridge the world of ideas and the world of action. Please find below our quarterly newsletter, which provides the latest information on the center’s activities.
Next Steps for the USMCA: A Conversation with The Honorable Kevin Brady
The Honorable Kevin Brady, U.S. representative for the 8th congressional district of Texas, discussed the future of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, challenges to ratifying the agreement in Congress and the future of trade in the region. Brady evaluated these important topics in a moderated conversation with David Gantz, Will Clayton Fellow in Trade and International Economics at the Baker Institute. Click here for video of the event.
Summer Visiting Scholars
The Center for the United States and Mexico hosted five visiting scholars over the summer — four through the Puentes Consortium and a Center Visiting Scholar. Visit this page for the bios and publications of all current and past visiting scholars hosted by the Center.
- Alfonso Valenzuela Aguilera, Ph.D., was the summer 2019 Center for the United States and Mexico visiting scholar at the Baker Institute. He is the director of the Observatory of Citizen Security and Social Cohesion in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
- Carmelo Cattafi, Ph.D., was a summer 2019 Puentes visiting scholar at the Baker Institute Center for the United States and Mexico. He is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Tecnológico de Monterrey.
- R. Guy Emerson, Ph.D., was a summer 2019 Puentes visiting scholar at the Baker Institute Center for the United States and Mexico. He is a professor in the Department of International Relations and Political Science at the Universidad de las Américas Puebla.
- Nicolas Pierre Foucras was a summer 2019 Puentes visiting scholar at the Baker Institute Center for the United States and Mexico. He is a professor and researcher at Tecnológico de Monterrey’s Department of International Relations and Political Science, and its School of Government and Public Transformation.
- Juan I. Gonzalez-Espinosa was a summer 2019 Puentes visiting scholar at the Baker Institute Center for the United States and Mexico. He is a full-time professor at Universidad de Monterrey, and an affiliate of the Engineering Management Department in the Engineering and Technologies School.
Past Events
The Challenges Ahead for Mexico’s Energy Policy
Jesús F. Reyes-Heroles, Pemex’s former CEO and a leading expert on Mexico’s energy and economic policy, discussed the current status and future prospects of Mexico’s energy industry. This event was co-sponsored by the Baker Institute Center for the United States and Mexico and Center for Energy Studies. Click here for video of the event.
Mexico's New Strategy against Corruption: A Conversation with Santiago Nieto
Santiago Nieto, director of Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit, discussed how the use of financial intelligence has improved the rule of law in Mexico, as well as plans to develop a national system against money laundering and terrorism financing. Click here for video and photos of the event.
Recent Publications
The Role of Mexican Migrant Entrepreneurs in the Creation of Small and Medium-sized Businesses in the U.S.
Elizabeth Salamanca, nonresident scholar at the Center for the United States and Mexico, examines the main characteristics of Mexican immigrant-owned small and medium-sized businesses established in the United States, as well as the opportunities and challenges they face, in this Baker Institute report.
López Obrador’s Initial Policies Toward Central American Migrants: Implications for the U.S.
The election of Mexico's Andrés Manuel López Obrador and the increase in Central American migrant caravans require reevaluating immigration policy, writes Luis A. Arriola, visiting scholar at the Center, in this research paper.
Making Pemex Great Again?
A viable plan to rescue Pemex exists, but Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has chosen another path, writes Francisco Monaldi, fellow in Latin American energy policy, in Americas Quarterly.
El Paso massacre a symbol of larger issues
In this blog post, Center director Tony Payan reflects on the massacre in El Paso and how it symbolizes complex social phenomena that we are experiencing today — and is not simply a matter of mental health, as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other politicians have stepped forward to suggest.
Population at Risk: Elderly Undocumented Mexican Workers
As of 2010, illegal workers have contributed $12 billion to the Social Security system alone. Such workers face poverty in old age, as they are barred from collecting retirement benefits because of their immigration status, and they have not accrued a pension in their home country, writes Center contributor Tran Dang in this issue brief.
Laying the Groundwork for the Strengthening of Pemex
Key industry practices followed by international oil and gas companies, if adequately implemented by Pemex, may complement Mexico's energy plan to help recognize areas of opportunity for Pemex, write Benigna C. Leiss, nonresident fellow in Latin American energy, and Adrian Duhalt, postdoctoral fellow in Mexico energy studies, in this research paper.
The State of Corruption in Latin America
Corruption is a persistent problem throughout Latin America. Higher rates of perceived corruption are associated with lower levels of economic welfare and direct foreign investment, writes Paul Lagunes, Baker Institute Board of Advisors Visiting Fellow, and co-authors in this Baker Institute report.
Social Conflicts and Infrastructure Projects in Mexico
The number of energy-related social conflicts in Mexico has risen dramatically over the last several years. Ivonne Cruz, Puentes Consortium program administrator; Adrian Duhalt, Baker Institute postdoctoral fellow in Mexico energy studies; and Pamela Cruz, research analyst at the Center for the United States and Mexico, review the reasons for these conflicts and the social impact assessments that should be required for firms developing energy projects in Mexico in this Baker Institute report.
Infographics Project
Infographics prepared by the Center for the United States and Mexico provide informative visualizations of issues affecting the U.S. and Mexico as well as the binational relationship. Click on the links below for the Center’s most recent graphics:
Mexico Centered Podcast
The "Mexico Centered" podcast features interviews with academics, former government officials and other experts on issues central to the U.S.-Mexico relationship. To listen to all of the episodes, please click here. The podcast is also available for streaming on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Radio Public.
Recent Episodes
- Immigration Reform, a Business Case: Stan Marek, CEO of MAREK, discusses his efforts to advocate for immigration reform in Congress, his tax and ID proposal to incorporate undocumented immigrants into the economy and why he cares so much about seeing these issues through.
- Electoral Reforms and the Consolidation of the Electoral System in Mexico: Lorenzo Cordova, president councillor of Mexico's National Electoral Institute (INE), discusses the role of electoral reforms in improving the electoral system, the current proposals by MORENA Party representatives and the criticism they have received, and the controversy following the 2019 gubernatorial election in Baja California.
Continuing Studies
The future of our city and nation is inextricably bound to the way we approach immigration. Nearly one in four Houstonians is an immigrant or refugee. This course, offered by Rice University’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies and co-sponsored by the Center for the United States and Mexico, convenes Rice scholars and other experts in public policy, law, sociology, business, social services and the arts to examine the obstacles and opportunities to implement effective, compassionate immigration policies. For more information and to enroll, click here.
In the News — Highlights
For the most recent media appearances, opinions and interviews of our experts and scholars please follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
- “The China-Mexico relationship cannot proceed outside the long shadow cast by Washington. Indeed, Mexico is in a difficult position,” Center director Tony Payan said in Latin American Advisor.
- “We know what divides us, but it is a lot more difficult to say what it is that unites this country. We have to create those values now,” stated Center director Tony Payan in the Season 1 finale of the Rational Middle of Immigration series.
- “The simple appointment (of a friend) does not generate a conflict of interest,” research scholar Rodrigo Montes de Oca said to Reuters. “The conflict of interest would arise if the appointment is made to obtain a benefit in the future.”
- El Chapo's prosecution and sentence "is almost like a Pyrrhic victory,” said Center director Tony Payan to the New York Times.
Join the Mexico Forum
Mexico Forum members are individuals and corporations that provide general support to the policy research activities and programs of the Center for the United States and Mexico at Rice University’s Baker Institute. Members have access to Center experts and guests and to policy briefs on developments regarding the U.S.-Mexico relationship. To learn more about the Mexico Forum and to become a member, please visit the
Mexico Forum page.