Thread: Iowa's Latino population predicted to skyrocket

Iowa's Latino population predicted to skyrocket
By Alyssa Cashman
The Gazette

As more and more Latinos move into Iowa, officials predict that by 2030 the state will be home to more than 330,000 Latino residents.

"It will be the largest generational growth in Iowa since 1880," said Armando Villareal, head of the Iowa Division for Latino Affairs.

Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau released Tuesday show that Latinos remain a minority in the state, but their numbers are expected to increase steadily from the current count of 120,000.

About 4 percent of Iowans in 2007 were Hispanic, up from 3.8 percent in 2006, and of those, 3.2 percent were from Mexico. The remaining Latinos came from various South and Central American countries.

Linn County followed the state trend, as the number of Latinos in the county jumped from 1.9 percent to 2.1 percent. Linn County still ranked low compared to counties such as Woodbury in western Iowa, where the population is 11 percent Latino.

Hot topic

Immigration has become a hot topic in Congress and in state legislative elections, said Ira Mehlman, media director for the Federation for American Immigration Reform.

"There will be 135 million more people in our population by the middle of the century," Mehlman said of the expected increase in Latino residents. "Just the sheer number of people will have a huge impact on this nation."

Although some Iowans are quick to note the negative consequences of immigration, Villareal said Latinos are helping Iowa.

"In towns like Perry, they are revitalizing the downtown and business," Villareal said. "And they're hard workers."

Mehlman said there are benefits to immigration, but that some sort of policy needs to be put into place to let those into the country with "personal traits" that would most benefit the country.

"It's a moving target," he said. "We may need one group with certain skills in 2008 but that may not be applicable in 2020."

Work force numbers

Hispanic workers make up about 3.2 percent of the Iowan work force, mostly in low-paying jobs with few benefits, Villareal said.

Iowa is ideal for Mexican farmers because of the abundance of corn farming, which was Mexico's principle crop before 1994.

According to the census, more than 37 percent of the Hispanics in Iowa came to the state after 2000.

Despite being part of America for hundreds of years, Latinos are still one of the most disadvantaged demographics in the nation.

The raid on Agriprocessors Inc. in Postville on May 12 showed that the problem of illegal immigrants working for little money is still a huge problem in the state.

"There have been no avenues created for low wage (Latino) workers to be in the light," Villareal said.

In Iowa, fewer than 17 percent of Latinos have four-year degrees, which advocates say will be detrimental to the future of the country.

"It's almost incumbent that Latinos be given an education," Villareal said. "It's an investment in future taxpayers."

UI efforts

Several Latino groups at the University of Iowa are working to create a supportive environment for their peers. Olga Rua, 28, in charge of the Latino Graduate Student Association, said more Chicanos, or children born in the United States to Latino immigrants, are coming to the UI.

"The atmosphere is very good for Latinos now," said Rua, who is originally from Columbia.

But it may be a while before politicians get the ball rolling on Latino rights. There's simply no political will on behalf of legislators in Iowa or nationally, Villareal said. And the public's biases prevent much discussion on the subject in political settings or otherwise.

Villareal said that presidential candidates Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain understand that the system needs to be fixed, but feelings of distrust make it difficult for honest discussion to take place.
http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs. ... /1006/news

The raid on Agriprocessors Inc. in Postville on May 12 showed that the problem of illegal immigrants working for little money is still a huge problem in the state. Yes, it's a problem for the ones of us who are LEGAL. The illegals and their spawn MUST GO!

"There have been no avenues created for low wage (Latino) workers to be in the light," Villareal said. There is ONE avenue for low wage, unskilled, uneducated illegal aliens and that is DEPORTATION. There is NO room for them here, as they do not contribute to the economy.

In Iowa, fewer than 17 percent of Latinos have four-year degrees, which advocates say will be detrimental to the future of the country. That 17% are probably the educated, skilled LEGAL immigrants, who DO contribute to the economy.

"It's almost incumbent that Latinos be given an education," Villareal said. "It's an investment in future taxpayers." NOT if they are here illegally!