At 50 million strong, U.S. Latinos are racking up triple-digit growth from the nation’s heartland to the apple orchards of Maine to the Rio Grande Valley, as a product of high fertility rates, increased life expectancy and labor-driven immigration.
Most Latinos live in America legally, speak English and pay taxes. With traditional family values, Latinos are defined by a strong work ethic and loyalty to family, God and country. Despite immense contributions to the economic and political stability of the country, many myths continue to plague American Latinos.
Even the terms that describe these Americans are a source of pride and confusion.
‘Hispanic’ is the term used to identify the group in most U.S. government publications, yet the term’s historical reference elicits controversy in many communities. The term ‘Latino’ is deemed more inclusive and gaining acceptance among the general public.
American Latinos comprise the third largest Latino population on the face of the Earth behind Mexico and Colombia. The Latino impact on America’s landscape is evident in virtually every facet of life – from the big screen, to the small screen to the computer screen or from the schoolhouse, to the jailhouse to the White House. It’s been said that brown is the new green.
Latinos are a product of one of the most important migration streams of the 20th century, constituting more than half of all immigrants to America. The most mobile of all communities, nearly six-in-ten Latino immigrants arrive from Mexico playing a pivotal role in our nation’s labor force.
As the second-largest minority group in America, and the fasting growing community in the country, Latinos are characterized by an incredibly diverse culture, rapid growth and unprecedented buying power topping $700 billion.
This year the carreñogroup along with the Lone Star Leadership & Policy Center will be publishing a report on American Latinos titled The State of the Latino Nation. If you would like to receive a copy please let us know by subscribing to our RSS feed.
