The Big Apple hosted the meeting of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), which took place last July, and, as expected, the topic of immigration dominated the summit.
NALEO is the organization that facilitates the full participation of the Latino minority in the U.S. political process.
Latinos Elected
The new Congress, which began on January 3, 2023, and runs through January 2025, started with a record number of Latino legislators.
In the House of Representatives, Latinos increased from 38 to 47 members of Congress for the 2023 legislation (35 Democrats and 12 Republicans). In the Senate, the six Latino Senators elected so far (four Democrats and two Republicans) remain, representing 11% of the total number of U.S. legislators.
Delegates to the NALEO summit outlined that Manhattan is growing the new “Ellis Island”. Therefore, they applauded President Joe Biden’s decision to expand the rules for reunifying families from Colombia, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, among others.
Land of Opportunities
In his speech, Eric Leroy Adams, Mayor of New York City, said that regardless of their origins or culture, Hispanic immigrants have come to stay, settle and be part of the “American dream”.
Adriano Espaillat Rodríguez stood out when he said we all dance to the same rhythm. However, back in our countries, we defend the native sound that characterizes us, speaking of cumbia or salsa, because we all arrived seeking refuge for equality, the right to health, and the best possible education.
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Latino immigrants have made significant strides in the United States, holding various positions demonstrating their strength and contributions to the country. Their workforce has been essential in constructing the vast infrastructure, and their entrepreneurial spirit has created numerous job opportunities through new businesses. Additionally, Latino politicians, elected by the public, have played a crucial role in strengthening the democratic political system that illuminates the nation today.
Hispanic Origin
In 2022, the population of Hispanic origin in U.S. territory exceeded sixty-three million inhabitants, 61% of them coming from Mexico. Two Caribbean countries occupied the second and third positions, Puerto Rico with 9.6% and Cuba with 3.9%. Currently, one out of every five Americans has Latino origin, and by 2060 it will be one out of every four, reaching 120 million, according to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau.
A study by IHS Economics & Country Risk, based on U.S. demographic and economic projections, shows that one of the options for its economy to remain among the strongest on the planet is to welcome immigrants.
The United States occupies the first place among all the countries that receive the most immigrants, with 50.6 million people in 2022 alone. This impressive data confirms the quest for the “American dream”.