Social capital is a person or group's sympathy for others. The social capital paradigm includes social capital, networks, socio-emotional goods, attachment values, institutions, and power. This paper describes how social capital is used within Latino communities in the Grand Rapids Metropolitan Area of Michigan. It describes migration, housing, education, labor, urban sprawl, health, and social capital among the Michigan Latino communities. The authors conducted a survey in May and June 2004 based on personal interviews with 100 Latino immigrant head of households living in the area, in order to evaluate how Latino immigrants use social capital in the process of immigration. Over 60% of the survey participants reported being of Mexican origin. The results of this study show that Latino immigrants use their social capital, especially bonding social capital, during the entire process. Family members-already living in the area provide potential immigrants basic information about housing facilities, educational and employment opportunities, and public services. In some cases, upon their arrival to the area, immigrants already have living facilities waiting for them as well as a secure job. The study concludes that social capital plays an important role for many Latinos who migrate to the Grand Rapids area. Policy recommendations are suggested, such as modifying immigration laws and strengthening family and community networks, that will not only lead to higher levels of social capital, but will also assist immigrants, especially Latinos, in their settlement process within the new environment in which they develop their daily activities. (Contains 35 tables, 1 figure, and 4 endnotes.)