President Barack Obama speaks at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Award Gala on Wednesday. He focused on issues important to the Hispanic community, such as job creation and immigration. (Danya P Hernandez/SHFWire)

Obama tells Hispanic audience he will fight for their issues

WASHINGTON – Hundreds of spectators cheered and applauded as President Barack Obama promised to work to pass the Dream Act, which would allow some young immigrants to become U.S. citizens. “I will do everything in my power to make the Dream Act a reality,” he said. Obama and first lady Michelle Obama attended the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s 34th Annual Awards Gala on Wednesday to kick off his administration’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. “I don’t have to tell you these are tough times. You know how hard this recession has hit families, especially Latino families,” Obama said.

Texas’ Hispanic population increases by 2.8 million (42%)

By Patricia Guadalupe, NALEO Director of Communication

Texas experienced exceptional growth since 2000, with the Latino community playing a key role in the record number of new residents added to the Lone Star State, according to an analysis by the NALEO Educational Fund of newly released Census 2010 data. While the state’s overall population grew from 20.9 million to 25.1 million (21%) in the first decade of the 21st century, the Latino share of that population increased 42%, from 6.7 million to 9.5 million. LATINO YOUTH ZOOMED

Latino residents account for nearly two thirds (65%) of the population growth in Texas over the last ten years. “Now more than ever, all eyes are on Texas. Our state is gaining four new congressional seats, and that is largely due to the unprecedented growth of the Latino population,” says NALEO President Sylvia García, former Harris County Commissioner.

Southwest Draws 7.3 Million More Latinos in Decade

Hispanic presence jumps 34%; California (3 million), Nevada (82%) are major gainers

The combined Hispanic population in the nation’s six Southwestern states soared by 34% between 2000 and 2010, growing by 7.3 million to 28.1 million. In raw numbers, California accounted for the greatest increase, adding more than 3 million Latinos to magnify the influence of their presence to slightly more than 14 million. Nevada produced the largest percentage growth, 82%. It shot up from 393,970 Hispanics in 2000 to 716,501 a decade later. National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund executive director Arturo Vargas emphasizes the growth in Latino numbers is fueling a surge in states which will gain seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

El temor de ser contado

Los inmigrantes discrepan acerca de dar sus datos
CHICAGO — José Adrián, un inmigrante indocumentado de Zacatecas, dijo que a pesar de no tener papeles, participó en el censo que cuenta la población de Estados Unidos cada 10 años. José Adrián trabaja para una compañía de seguros médicos, y ha vivido en Estados Unidos por 17 años. “Se usa (el censo) para asignar fondos, y creo que es un beneficio para mi vecindad, para mi ciudad, y donde vivo”, explicó el zacatecano. Dijo que intenta criar a sus niños aquí en Chicago, por lo que quiere que su comunidad reciba la mayor cantidad de recursos posibles. Según información federal sobre el censo, los datos que se obtienen sirven al gobierno para decidir dónde se repartirán unos 400 mil millones de dólares cada año en servicios sociales como hospitales y escuelas.