Saturday, October 14, 2006

HISPANIC POPULATION GROWTH, Shifting Population

This story tells about the Hispanic middle class. These immigrants are setting up organizations to help the low-wage immigrants here. DP

By Steve Jones, The Sun News
MyrtleBeachOnline.com: Alex Russell didn't really know any Mexicans until a new job in South Carolina brought him into regular contact with immigrants.

"They are very noble people," Russell said.

Alex and Susana Russell are themselves Hispanic immigrants - natives of Argentina who lived in Venezuela for more than 20 years. They moved to the state five years ago.

They represent part of a growing Hispanic middle class in the United States, a segment of the population some say can help Americans understand and appreciate the wave of immigration that has captured the attention of lawmakers, the public and the media.

The Hispanic populations in the Carolinas are among the top four fastest growing in the country, according to research by the Pew Hispanic Center. The current debate over illegal immigration, how to stop it and what to do about those already in the country is driven by fear, said Maria DeGuzman, director of Latina/Latino Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill's College of Arts and Sciences. She believes the fear is unfounded.
Be sure to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.

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