THE NEW LATINO SOUTH LATINOS IN NORTH CAROLINA

THE NEW LATINO SOUTH: LATINOS IN NORTH CAROLINA Understanding a Growing Community Axel Lluch – Governor’s Office of Hispanic/Latino Affairs 10/29/2020 1

THE NEW LATINO SOUTH n Latinos have differences & similarities in cultural & social customs, political, economic conditions and history n Most Latinos/Hispanics share a common language, Spanish. Yet there are more: Portuguese, indigenous and others n U. S. is a nation of immigrants: Europeans, Asians, Africans, Hispanics, etc… 10/29/2020 2

THE NEW LATINO SOUTH - Population Growth Pew Hispanic Center study –July 2005 n The Southeastern U. S. : highest population growth of Hispanics (1990 – 2000) : North Carolina - 492% Georgia - 300% South Carolina - 211% Alabama - 208% Fast-growing economies magnets for young, unmarried, mobile Latino immigrants; Post. Katrina impact n Economic growth in 1990’s created jobs for 410, 000 Hispanics and 1. 9 mi. non-Hispanic workers n Hispanic school-age population grew 322% in the South (‘ 90 -’ 00) vs. 10% & 18% for whites & blacks n 10/29/2020 3

THE NEW LATINO SOUTH - Population Growth § Hispanics nationwide increased from 22. 4 mi. to 44. 5 mi. (1990 -2007). Now largest ethnic group in U. S. - 15. 1% of t. population (US Census– 7/ 07) n Hispanics in NC had a 492% increase from 77, 000 to 379, 000 (1990 -2000); 4. 7% of NC population (U. S. Census- 2000) n NC Hispanic population increased 68. 5% (‘ 00’ 07) totaling 638, 444; 7% of state population (Census 7/07) 10/29/2020 4

THE NEW LATINO SOUTH - Population Growth n Hispanics have highest fertility rates of all ethnic/ race groups: 2. 9 vs. 2. 0 and 1. 8 children/ woman (vs. U. S. & white aver. – Census 2000) n 55% of U. S. Hispanics are 2 nd. & 3 rd. generation native born U. S. citizens ( 3/04 - Pew Hisp. Center ) n In 2004, 55% of NC Hispanics were citizens or legal residents and 45% were unauthorized residents (UNC-CH Economic Study 2006) 10/29/2020 5

THE NEW LATINO SOUTH - Immigrants n Hispanic heritage has been part of our nation: California, Texas, N. Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona & Wyoming were part of Mexico until 1845 -48; Florida claimed by Spain in 1500’s n Puerto Rico is a U. S. territory since 1898 n There are numerous generations of Hispanic. Americans as well as foreign-born Latinos n We also have a high number of unauthorized immigrant Latinos 10/29/2020 6

THE NEW LATINO SOUTH - Immigrants n They are predominantly from Mexico, but come from all Latin American countries n They also are migrating from other U. S. states n Initial rural migration of low education now includes also urban / more educated immigrants n More permanent migration & family reunification process occurring; less circular migration 10/29/2020 7

% Hispanics by Nationality: Total U. S. North Carolina 2000 Census Data 10/29/2020 8

THE NEW LATINO SOUTH–Social norms n Slight differences in social / cultural traditions n Strong community, family ties and faith values n More expressive / open emotions ( touch, less personal space) n Less eye contact, avoid confrontation n Importance of building trust & relationships n Flexible time management / less structured n Varies with integration process, social interaction 10/29/2020 9

THE NEW LATINO SOUTH - Welfare/Health n Most immigrants, including Latinos, receive less welfare/social benefits than native-born citizens n Many immigrants are young / healthy - needing less health / welfare services; Median age 27. 4 yrs. vs. 36. 4 for US population (Census 7/06) n Barriers to healthcare access make low income Latinos under served and vulnerable population n Highest uninsured rates of any ethnic group. In 2003 CDC reported Hispanics with no health insurance coverage varied from 18 % to 38 % (P. Ricans-Mexicans). Medicaid coverage went from 19. 3 to 31 % (various - P. Ricans) 10/29/2020 10

THE NEW LATINO SOUTH - Education n From school years 2001 - 2005, Hispanic students accounted for 57% of total growth in NC public schools (UNC-Ch Economic Study) n NC Hispanics have lower education levels vs. non -Hispanics ( median 7. 5 vs. 12 yrs of school ); 50% of Hispanics completed less than 8 yrs. of schooling (UNC-Ch Economic Study) n Latino youth educated in the US don’t differ much in dropout rates vs. native born (Pew Hisp. Ctr. Jan 04) n Parental involvement is the strongest predictor for academic success of Latinos (Machado-Casas/Zuniga study 205) 10/29/2020 11

THE NEW LATINO SOUTH-NC Economic Impact ( UNC - CH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS STUDY – 2006 ) n NC Hispanics had estimated total after tax income of $8. 3 billion in 2004 ; 20% sent to Latin America, saved, or used for interest payments, the residual spending had total impact of $9. 2 billion on NC n $9. 2 billion impact to NC economy through purchases and tax payments, while net cost to state budget $61 million, $102 per Hispanic, for health care, education and corrections n NC exports to Latin America have increased from $2. 9 billion in 1999 to $4. 1 billion in 2004 10/29/2020 12

THE NEW LATINO SOUTH - Jobs n NC Hispanics are younger / healthier; 55. 3% are working-ages of 18 - 44 vs. 37. 3% non. Hispanics (UNC-CH Economic Study 2006) n Many Latinos work low-paying / high-risk jobs seldom pursued by non-immigrants; H 2 A guest workers: 8, 300 of 98, 000 total farm workers in NC (E. S. C. - 2005) n They fill jobs 76 million “baby boomers” (born 1946 - 64) are starting to leave & create new businesses (supply vs. demand) 10/29/2020 13

THE NEW LATINO SOUTH – Economy (Inter-Amer. Dev. Bank study 2006 ) § Most immigrants send money back to their countries, once they are well-established ($45 bi. /annual) § NC immigrants sent $1. 2 bi. to Latin America in 2006. ( $300/month aver. /hsld. ) § U. S. workers born in L. America had gross income of $465 bi. in 2006; 90% was spent locally n Studies show a net positive impact to the economy from their economic contributions. NC impact is $12. 3 bi. n Mexico is U. S. 2 nd. trading partner. U. S. – Mexico trading $290 bi. in 2005; US exports to Mexico grew $50 - $120 bi. since NAFTA (1994); CAFTA/DR approved in 2006 10/29/2020 14

THE NEW LATINO SOUTH - Challenges n Language n Limited education, high dropout rates n Post-high n Limited barriers in a global village school education access social contact and isolation n Immigration status of many foreignborn Latinos 10/29/2020 15

NEW LATINO SOUTH-Recommendations n Comp. Immigration Reform in post- 9/11 America n Learn English to broaden Hispanics progress n Education alternatives: part-time, after-work, online, Plazas Comunitarias, Learn & Earn, private scholarships, out-of-state education n Build relationships with non-Hispanics (social competence and integration) n Understand & embrace NC - US lifestyles and customs: a generational integration process n No “miracle or fast” solutions: a gradual process 10/29/2020 16

THE NEW LATINO SOUTH - Dilemmas n NC Growing vs. vanishing pains in transition to high-skilled economy ? n Latinos & Post-Katrina gulf region impact n “Browning” & “Aging” of America: diverse migration & retiring baby boomers in a Global Economy § Forces of nature: survival & family reunification § Balance of ecosystems: human nature will take its course 10/29/2020 17

CONTACT INFORMATION: Axel Lluch Office of Hispanic/Latino Affairs NC Office of the Governor 919 -733 -5361 or 800 -662 -7952 Axel. Lluch@ncmail. net Cary. Delaosa@ncmail. net THANK YOU !!! 10/29/2020 18