The Spanish-origin population in the American Southwest.

This chapter assesses the demographic situation of the American Southwest by examining population characteristics and trends of the Mexican-origin population in that region. 2 main factors account for the phenomenal growth of the Hispanic population since 1960: 1) an increased immigration from Latin America and 2) relatively higher fertility among Hispanic origin women. The more recent Mexican immigrants are more concentrated in a few states of residence whereas those who have been in the US for a longer period show a state distribution more similar to that of native-born Mexican Americans. Socioeconomic conditions and trends include 1) Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans lag well behind the general population in education 2) Mexican American labor force participation improved between 1970 and 1980 and 3) Mexican Americans fall between blacks and Anglos in their level of economic achievement. In 1980 Mexican-origin women has a 39% higher fertility than non-Hispanic Anglos. For Mexican-Americans English proficiency varies by immigrant generation and increased and the composition has changed from 24.6% Latin Americans (in the 1950s) to 40.2% Latin Americans (in the years since 1970). Recent research suggests that illegal aliens in the US are not as numerous as some believe. Several studies have shown that the earning of blacks and native Mexican workers are not significantly affected by the relative quantity of undocumented workers in local labor markets.