Hispanic American Diversity

According to the Fact Monster 2005 census Bureau 14.4% of the United States population are Hispanics. An increase of 1.9% compared to 2000 census population. The "Hispanic ethnicity" category on the Census includes Mexicans (7.3 percent of the total U.S. population in 2000), Puerto Ricans (1.2 percent), Cubans (0.4 percent) and a host of other Latin and South American ethnicities. Below are two tables that show the population of different ethnic group and the percentage of each group. It is very important that the immigration groups study and be proficient in English. However, it is also very important the minority group maintain their bilingual linguistics skills because that is useful tools and necessary for the United States as Globalization increases.

Table 1

Population of the United States by Race and Hispanic/Latino Origin, Census

2000 and July 1, 2005

Race and Hispanic/Latino originJuly 1, 2005,
population¹Percent of
populationCensus 2000,
populationPercent of
population

Total Population296,410,404100.0%281,421,906100.0%

Single race

White 237,854,95480.2211,460,62675.1

Black or African American 37,909,34112.834,658,19012.3

American Indian and Alaska Native 2,863,0011.02,475,9560.9

Asian 12,687,4724.310,242,9983.6

Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 516,6120.2398,8350.1

Two or more races 4,579,0241.56,826,2282.4

Some other race n.a.²n.a. 15,359,0735.5

Hispanic or Latino 42,687,22414.435,305,81812.5

Note: From www.factmonster.com NOTE: Percentages do not add up to 100% due to rounding and because Hispanics may be of any race and are therefore counted under more than one category.

1. May 10, 2006, estimate.

2. Those answering "other" have been allocated to one of the recognized race categories.Source: U.S. Census Bureau, National Population Estimates.Mexican Americans

Mexican American population has increased dramatically over the years. According to the New York Times, The Mexican population grew fastest from 1990-2000. The head count for Mexican Americans would not be accurate on the United States Census bureau because illegal immigrants not accurately accounted for. When referring to the United States census bureau and monster fact.com census the number of Latinos did not represent a large percentage. According to the New York Times Mexican American alone accounted for 60% of the Latino/ Hispanic group. Mexican is the largest Hispanic group In the United States. The percentage of college graduate is significantly lower than other minority group. Many young Mexican American teens are learning the language just as quick as the other minority group. It is far more important for the children of immigrant parents to be proficient in the English language because long term, the later generations linguistic skills are needed to integrated in American society. For many Mexican American second generation, Spanish is still their first language. Therefore, the Bush "No Child Left behind Act" is a very important political step for the Mexican Americans. Mexican Americans are very family oriented, and family is everything to them. (Conover, 1991). Mexican Americans is deeply religious and predominantly Roman Catholics. Many Mexican immigrants arrived to the United States with very little skills. Most of them usually are low income family and hold manufacturing, agricultural jobs. The female are usually nannies, or hold cleaning jobs. Mexicans are usually not very social because of language barriers. They tend to stick around and live in the same neighborhoods of the same race. Soccer is a fun pass time for many Mexicans. Puerto Rican Americans

Puerto Rican is the second largest group of minority residing in the United States. Puerto Ricans dominant language is Spanish. After the 1900, the relationship with The United States introduced another language, "English". A combination of both languages together known as "Spanglish" is commonly used amongst the Puerto Ricans. Some Puerto Ricans when speaking English also add several words and phrases to create a distinct version of English called "Goleta English". Puerto Rico's chief of state is the United States President of America. Unlike many minority groups, Puerto Rican's were welcomed to the United States with migration assistant. In 1900, when Puerto Rico became A U.S. territory (not incorporate) , which led to a huge increase in Puerto Rican immigration to the United States. In 1917, all people born in Puerto Rico officially became a US Citizens. All those residing in the island and born after 1898 also become United States Citizen. The United States established offices through the United States to aid in the recruiting of Puerto Rican workers.

These offices helped Puerto Ricans migrate to the United States by working with Airline Company to reduce air fare rates, or installment plans for the air fare. Puerto Ricans who moved from mainland Puerto Ricans to the U.S. did not need to apply for citizenship, they are automatically a citizen. There is an estimated 3, 8000,000 people Puerto Ricans living in the United States as of 2004 census. Puerto Ricans have taken a more active role in the political field. Many Puerto Ricans recognizes their economic future depends on their involvement in politics and their votes. Fifteen percent of Puerto Ricans are registered voters in the United States. Like Hispanics, Puerto Ricans have very close family ties. Regardless of whether they live in the mainland or island, they are still bonded by the family relationship they work to keep close. Since traveling to and from the United States to Puerto Rico is hassle free, there are frequent visits between the two countries. Puerto Ricans living in the United States earn an average of $28,738.00 per year while those living in the Puerto Rico will earn about half of the income. Majority of Puerto Ricans are Christians, however there are certain Islamic and Jewish sectors in the island. Roman Catholicism has been the main religion since the arrival of the Spanish in the 15th Century.Cuban Americans

Cuban Americans populations are estimated at 1,241,685 as of 2000 Census. That is 0.4% of the population of the U.S. population and 4% of the Hispanic population. Miami and Florida attracts lots of Cuban Americans to the states because the proximity to Cuba. Cuban speaks primarily English and Spanish. Many Cuban flocked to the United States to avoid Fidel Castro harsh governing rules. Majority of Cuban immigrants arrived into the United States for economic reasons. Compared with the rest of the Hispanic population the United States, Cuban Americans are older, have a higher education level, higher income and a higher rate of home ownership. A percentage of Cuban immigrants came from Cuba's educated, upper and middle classes. Twenty-five percent of Cuban Americans have a college education. However, Cuban government did not allow the removal of wealth from Cuba, so most immigrants arrived with little or no money to the United States. In 1966, the United States Congress passed the Cuban American Adjustment Act.

The Act provided $1.2 billion of direct financial assistant. The Cuban immigrants were eligible for public assistance, Medicare, free English courses, scholarships, and low interest college loans. Some banks even offered loans and approval of loans if they were of Cuban descent. The loans enabled many Cuban Americans to secure funds and create their own business. Cuban Americans belong to the Roman Catholic Church. A small percentage are protestants, spiritualist and Jewish Cuban Americans. Cuban Americans are viewed as a politically conservative group. Many Cuban Americans support the republican parties. Cuban American individuals have been active in the political office. There are four Cuban American members of the United States House of Representative and two senators. As expected, The Cuban American is characterized by patriarchy, strong parental control over children's lives, and the importance of non-nuclear relationships for the nuclear family. Salvadoran Americans

Salvadorans fled their own country in seek of freedom. In 1980, death squads secretly killed many Salvadorans at night. The fear and terror led many Salvadorans to the United States illegally. Many walked and enter the United States through Mexico, others through swam across the Rio Grande. In 1980, only 2.1 percent of the political asylum application was approved. Many Salvadorans did not apply fear of being denied and face deportation. Many Salvadorans arrived into the United States in hope of returning back to their home town one day when it is safe to do so. Los Angeles has the largest number of Salvadoran refugee. Many Salvadorans appealed when their asylum application was denied. INS was overwhelmed with the volume of appeal and secretly tried to force Salvadorans to sign paper in English, or refuse asylum after a short ten minute interview and tried to deport the applicant right away (strategy used so the applicant would not have another chance to appeal their decision). In 1990 a federal lawsuit was filed against the INS by the American Baptist Churches (ABC).

The Settlement prompted the United States to reopen and approve new asylum applications in greater numbers. Congress awarded Temporary Protected Status to Salvadorans who been entered the United States since 1990. This program allowed the Salvadorans to stay in the U.S legally for a fixed period of time, their time expired in 1994. Many Salvadorans showed very little effort to learn English. The older immigrants usually spent more than ten years living in the United States without learning any English. However the younger generations have stayed in the United States instead of returning home to El Salvador. United States once a refuge place is now home for many Salvadorans immigrant. The population percentage of Salvadorans in the United States is estimated to be 500,000- one million (largely due to the illegal how do not make their presence to the rest of world; fear of deportation). Spanish is the first language for most Salvadorans. Salvadoran Spanish is very close to the Spanish spoken by Mexico and other Central American countries, the only different would be the accent. The traditional family in El Salvador is large and very close knit. The father has the final say and authority in all things. Both parents maintain control over their children especially daughters. However some of the close knit and family ties have changed due to the asylum process and immigration process.

Many Salvadorans made journey to the United States alone; husbands left their wives, and children. The entire family was separated and many stayed that way. Many Refugees married non-Salvadorans for immigration benefits. When the family finally united together the family values and authority the parents had was changed. Under the new cultural influences the teenagers became Americanize and did not appreciate the authority their parents had over their lives. The children learn English faster and adapted to their new surroundings quicker. As the younger generation learn English. Their language skills to translate were often time needed. In general the young ones become knowledgeable and more confident than their parent. The role-reversal proved to be painful for both parents and child. Many Salvadorans are Catholics. However a percentage of Salvadorans do not observe church rituals. For the poor, church weddings are prohibited because it is too expensive. A common-law marriage is more common amongst the poor. Among the poor, they observe "compadrazgo" , or the naming of godparents. Many Salvadorans see education as a way to advance in the world. Many Salvadorans realizes the importance of school, because back home the government shut down the schools in 1980. In 1982, the U.S. Supreme court stated that all children, immigrants legal or illegal have a constitutional right to attend public school. Salvadorans are considered the hardest working immigrants. Many Salvadorans men worked in hotel, restaurant and day laborers in building trades. The women worked as nannies and maids. Though their salary in the lowest paying sector, Salvadoran Americans are becoming prosperous. The remittance, money sent to El Salvador by Salvadoran living in the United States is the largest source of income of El Salvador. Salvadoran Americans played and participated in a very important role in U.S. politics. The roles are in legislation regarding their immigration status. Conclusion

All four minority groups speak Spanish and share similar family values. Three of the minority group shares the same common religious beliefs. Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans and Salvadoran Americans all believed in Catholic practice. Only Puerto Rican is Christians. All groups migrated to the United States mainly for the same reason. Better life for their offspring in the United States. All four minority groups left their home country due to war.

The major differences between each group, is the education level, economic statures and assistance, support and acceptance by the United States of America. Mexican American lived mainly in poverty because they have received very little support from the government regarding their legal status and immigration reforms. However, this will change soon. The government is working and changing this for millions of Mexican Americans in the United States. Puerto Ricans is the only minority group that received 100% support from the United States. Puerto Ricans usually are the older generation and come from middle upper class with higher level of education. Puerto Ricans also become legal citizens of the United States when Puerto Rico became a territory of the United States. With the support and education level, the Puerto Ricans successfully gained presence in the United States. Unlike Puerto Ricans, Salvadorans did not receive the same support from the United States government. Salvadorans faced deportation and lived in fear of being deported. Salvadorans encounter many difficulty times when migrating to the United States. Cuban Americans were a group unlike Mexican Americans, of well educated and middle class family. Cuban easily established them in the United States.

References

Allen, J. (2006). How Successful Are Recent Immigrants to the United States and Their Children?. Yearbook of the Association of Pacific Coast Geographers, 68, 9-32. Retrieved August 17, 2007, from EBSCOhost database.

Buffington, S. (n.d.) Cuban Americans. Retrieved August 18, 2007, from http:// everyculture.com/multi/Bu-Dr/Cuban-Americans.html

Conover, K. Staff (1991, April 16). BEING : mexican-american teen in l.a. 'saddles' two cultures maria's daily routine reflects the better life her parents hoped for on entering the US. Christian Science Monitor (1908-Current file),p. 14. Retrieved August 18, 2007, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers Christian Science Monitor database.

Cuban American (2007). In the Wikipedia online, free online. Retrieved August 18, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cuban_american

Marquez, C. (2004, September 16). Adios, puerto rico; hola, united states. Caribbean Business. Retrieved August 19, 2007, from http://virtualboricua.org

Mumford, J. (n.d.) Salvadorans Americans. Retrieved August 18, 2007, from http:// everyculture.com/multi/Pa-Sp/Salvadoran-Americans.html

Population of the United States by Race and Hispanic/ Latino Origin Census 2000 and July 1, 2005. Retrieved August 17, 2007, from http://factmonster.com/ipka/A0762156.html

Puerto Rican. (2007). In the Wikipedia online, free online encyclodpedia. Retrieved August 19, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/puerto_rican

Schmidt, E. (2001, May 10). Census shows big gain for mexican-americans. New York Times (1857-Current file),p. A28. Retrieved August 18, 2007, from ProQuest Historical database.

U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2007 from http://www.census.gov