Inroduction
There have been increasingly visible and public efforts of curtailing the Latino immigration level into the United States. The efforts include increasing deportations and enforcements, expansion of immigrant detention complex, and suggesting a citizenship question. Nevertheless, the Latino population has witnessed increased growth in the US. Sustained migration through lower age at first birth, the reunification of the family, and high rates of fertility have continued fueling the Latino population growth. Large cities in America are commonly known for their significant population of Latino or Hispanics. However, other cities, including Chicago and New York, also possess a significant and increasingly growing Latino population. This paper explores Latinos experiences in New York City and the United States. It will discuss the evolution of the Latino population in the country.
The most recent estimates identify that the population of Latino at approximately 2.5 million people, representing 29 percent of the population throughout the city. Latino population is identified as primarily made up of Dominicans and Puerto Ricans, where they make up approximately 29 percent of the Latino population. Mexicans represent 14 percent of the population in New York City and are the third-largest in the city (Hernández-Nieto et al.). The other percentage (23%) includes populations from central and South America.
By the year 1900, the majority of Latinos that had migrated into New York were found to engage largely in trade and commerce alongside multiple services, production, and craft-related skills. The majority of these populations comprised of political exiles who migrated into New York City in search of a living. They also fled prosecution and further their activities of politics and engagements with their native nations. Between 1900 and 1945, there were an expansion of the continued commercial, political, economic, and social ties between the Caribbean region and New York City (Haslip-Viera, p. 5). The city was primarily used as the commercial and administrative center of contact with the Caribbean islands. This led to the expansion of several corporate relations, investments, alongside other personal and commercial ties. As a result, it facilitated and sustained both the early and continuous process of migration for Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, among other Caribbean islands.
The Growing Population
Between 1945-1965, the growth of Hispanic/Latino in New York was characterized by large Puerto Rican migration waves. They also build up from small settlements to include large communities across Manhattan, Bronx, and Brooklyn. The general manufacturing, garment industry, and multiple professional and personal services employed large proportions of the Puerto Rican and growing populations of Dominicans. When the population continued to grow, they also diversified into other economic sectors. The years after 1965 saw the growth of Latinos. Larger settlements were sustained by the migration flows from the Caribbean and Latin America. Further, larger settlements were established from numerous countries, such as the Andean region of South America, the Dominican Republic. There was also a significant growth migration from the non-Hispanic Caribbean and Latin America into New York City between 1970-2011.
Recent Trends in the Population of Latino
Over the past four decades, the ethnic, racial, or nationwide origin composition of the immigrants has transformed significantly. The population of New York is found to be more diverse currently compared to the previous period. It involves significant contingents from Asia, Latin America, South Asia, Middle East, and Africa. Based on the population of Latino, there have also been several substantial trends that are worth highlighting.
There have occurred significant changes in the population proportion in New York that is considered Latino origin and Hispanics. The population has become higher over the years in New York. The next trend includes a significant change in the Latino population composition in New York since the Hispanic population has been found to be more diverse. Initially, Puerto Ricans were the dominant population, although currently, they have significantly declined. The next trend is that there has been a change in the migration experiences of distinct populations of Latino. There are substantial variations among the populations and between Latinos populations and non-Latinos in New York in educational features, age structure, access to distinct occupations and industries, engagement in the labor market, earnings and income, and levels of poverty.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there has been an increasing trend in the growth of Latinos in New York City and across the nation. The evolution of this population has contributed impacts on various aspects such as education, employment, housing, politics, social services, and crime. Generally, there has been increased scrutiny which is focused on Latinos' presence in the City and the recent wave of immigrants into New York City. The population of Latinos has since grown to a significant number in the country.
