UT:Hispanic numbers rise

[cvangel]

Hispanic numbers rise




By LEE LOGAN World Staff Writer
8/7/2008
Last Modified: 8/7/2008 2:20 AM

The Census estimate was made in July 2007, before an anti-illegal immigration law took effect.


The Hispanic population is growing in Tulsa and across the state, despite fears that a tough anti-illegal immigration law would drive out many in that community.

Detailed U.S. Census numbers for 2007 show a 7.2 percent increase in Hispanics in Tulsa County, compared with the year before. The statewide increase was 5.5 percent. Out of 77 counties, only six saw their Hispanic population decrease during the same time period.

Growth among Hispanics outpaced other minority groups and the nation as a whole, which saw a 3.3 percent Hispanic increase. The Census released the figures for publication Thursday.

Social service agencies attributed the growth to a number of factors, and some argued the data do not include the immigration law's full effect.

Maria Reyes, who directs the YWCA Multicultural Center, at 8145 E. 17th St., said national migration patterns show Hispanics are relocating from other states.

"The bigger, urban areas are coming to the Midwest," she said. "Tulsa is still attractive to many people."

Reyes also said the increase could be a result of high birth
rates among immigrants from Mexico and Central America. Not all Hispanic groups have higher birth rates, but immigrants from those areas tend to come from a rural background where Catholicism and families are emphasized, she said.

"When you have all those factors in place, then you tend to have a higher birth rate," Reyes said.

The Census Bureau said its estimates reflect population as of July 2007. The bureau uses data on births, death and immigration to compile the estimates.

Elizabeth McCormick, who runs the Immigration Rights Project at the University of Tulsa, said the data was sampled before the anti-immigration law, known as HB 1804, took effect in November.

"It wouldn't have taken into account any of the out-migration that occurred due to 1804," she said. "That's certainly is an impact that is being seen in other states that have laws similar to 1804."

The law, which made it a felony to house or transport illegal immigrants, received spirited debate in the spring of 2007, with some predicting Hispanics could flee the state even before its passage. Gov. Brad Henry signed the law in May.

The sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, was unavailable for comment on Wednesday.

Carol Helm, the director of Jenks-based Immigration Reform for Oklahoma Now, said the immigration law has not taken full effect because its employer crackdowns were put on hold by a lawsuit from various business groups. If those employer provisions are upheld, she said, the Hispanic population should drop because businesses would face strict penalties for hiring illegal immigrants.

"We have been sanctuary-friendly in Oklahoma," Helm said. "Employers are continuing to hire illegal aliens."

Reyes said she didn't believe reports of roughly 25,000 Hispanics leaving in the months after 1804's implementation.

"I thought those numbers were inflated," Reyes said. "Once that hysteria, for lack of a better word, died down, people see that the grass isn't greener on the other side."

Marvin Lizama runs voter registration drives through the American Dream Coalition. He said some people left because of 1804, but many others are attracted to Tulsa's quality of life.

"Hispanics are coming here because they see that there's great opportunity," Lizama said. "This is a great city if you want to raise your kids, get a great education for your kids."

Lizama said the law led to discrimination and "negative comments," but most Hispanics don't want to be bullied into leaving.

"Most of the Hispanic population in Tulsa is not undocumented," he said. "We want to stay behind because we want to show that Tulsa is a diverse city."
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[SOSADFORUS]

Tulsa is probably doomed...unless they really toughen up and enforce the laws!