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 | FALLING BEHIND The Declining Economic Power of Hispanics February 21, 1997 |
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Questions asked
in this forum:
How has immigration impacted the Hispanic population? Would foreign aid reduce illegal immigration? What part does racism play in Hispanics economic troubles? What role has and should the government play? Are different groups doing better than others? ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
NewsHour Backgrounders
Jan. 2, 1997: Jeffrey Kaye looks at the rising political power of Hispanics.
Oct. 23, 1996: Hispanic Americans fight against a possible backlash against immigration.
For the last few years, the news about the U.S. economy has been good. Wages are up, inflation is almost non-existent and the stock market has reached record levels. But one ethnic group has not participated in the recent economic growth -- Hispanics. Unlike every other ethnic group, Hispanics saw their median family income decline from 1992 to 1995 by almost 7 percent to $22,860, according to U.S. Census Bureau. In comparison, Blacks saw their average family incomes increase by almost 10 percent to $22,393.
The decline in Hispanic economic power is not limited to recently-arrived immigrants; native-born Hispanics have also experienced the decline. Furthermore, over 30 percent of the nation's Hispanics -- the highest percentage of any ethnic group-- live in poverty, almost three times the rate of whites.
Surprisingly, this decline is occurring at a time when Hispanics are gaining in political power. Record numbers of Hispanic immigrants have become voting citizens, and Hispanic politics are gaining prominence on the national stage.
Our Forum asked: Why are Hispanics struggling to maintain their economic footing? Have government programs meant to help minorities failed Hispanics? What role does immigration policy play in their economic plight?
Please pose your questions to Speaker Cruz Bustamante, the first Hispanic to lead the California Assembly, and Linda Chavez, president of the Center for Equal Opportunity and former staff director of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission during the Reagan administration.
Questions asked in this forum:
How has immigration impacted the Hispanic population? Would foreign aid reduce illegal immigration? What part does racism play in Hispanics economic troubles? What role has and should the government play? Are different groups doing better than others? ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
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