ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the endogenous factors that will affect future Latino political power and that they can directly influence. The principal endogenous factors include Latino organizations, naturalization and the political incorporation of immigrants, development of a pan-national origin identity, relations with blacks, and patterns of electoral participation. Although Latino organizations did influence key aspects of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986, IRCA was enacted despite vigorous protestations by National Council de la Raza (NCLR) and others that it would result in anti-Latino discrimination. For decades, Latino citizens did nothing to stimulate naturalization among Latino immigrants. As naturalization and incorporation efforts continue, the number of Latino voters will increase dramatically. Rhetoric aside, much is yet to be done if the several national-origin groups are to develop a shared identity that may be accommodated under one label such as "Hispanic" or "Latino".
