HISPANICS

HISPANICS. The 2000 Census indicated that Dubuque had 1,055 Hispanics living in the city. This was more than twice the number recorded in 1990. Members of the Hispanic community, however, believe the number reported was low. They claimed that many Hispanics were in the United States illegally and had not answered the census because of fear of deportation.

Many Hispanics came to Iowa to work in the meatpacking industry as well as nurseries, hotels, restaurants and factories. With raids on employers and hundreds of undocumented workers being arrested or detained, the actual number of Hispanics remains difficult to know. Residents often complained that the undocumented workers took jobs that could be filled by United States citizens. They also argued that the workers placed strains on the education and health care systems without paying taxes. Supporters of the workers pointed out that these people often do pay Social Security taxes without collecting payments.

Between 2010 and 2011 Hispanic or Latino population in Dubuque County increased by nearly 65% from 1,807 to 2,977. (1) It was believed that the attraction of the Dubuque and surrounding area was partially due to the safe and affordable lifestyle and the abundant job opportunities. As with other cultural groups "Hispanics" and "Latinos" are categories that do not necessarily refer to the same people. "Hispanics" generally refer to people from, or whose ancestors came, from a Spanish-speaking land or culture. "Latinos" (or "Latinas" if referring to a group of females) generally refers to people whose ancestors lived in Central or South America or the Caribbean. Not all people identified as Hispanic or Latino speak Spanish or use it as a primary language. The 2020 Census of Dubuque County reported that 1,800 individuals spoke Spanish at home. Many members of Hispanic or Latino groups readily identify themselves by their country of origin. (1)

Hispanic and Latino laborers made up about 43% of the United States workforce in farming, fishing, and forestry jobs; 38% in cleaning and maintenance' 35% in construction; and 27% in food preparation and service. They made up 10.7% of workers in management--an increase from 5.2% in 2000. (2)

Among the barriers to advancement, few issues were more important than language. The Pew Research Center in 2018 found that Mexican immigrants had the lowest rate of English proficiency along all immigrant groups with 34% reporting they spoke English at home. Immigrants from Central America had an English proficiency rate of 35% and those from South America ranking at 56% proficiency. (3) Children benefit from English as a second language class in school. Students with a high English proficiency are often called from class to help translate school procedures to new parents who are bringing their children to school for the first time. (4) Adults suffer from the fact that language classes are not generally a portion of their normal day.

Fear of their children losing their cultural identify inhibits some adults from taking advantage of opportunities to assimilate. Surrounded by English-speaking classmates, children find learning to speak English much easier. When asked questions at home in Spanish, replies may come back to the parents in English. Not unexpectedly given guidelines on what is taught for how many minutes daily, the opportunity of Spanish-speaking students helping their English-speaking classmates to learn a second language was rarely utilized. It also came as a surprise when a teacher during parent-teacher conferences would encourage parents to continue frequent use of their native language at home to keep their children multi-lingual with the eventual positive business and social advantages open for them. (5)

In 2021 Yara Lopez organized the inaugural LATINX FIESTA featuring dance performances, food, and producers from local Latino-owned businesses. Opportunities were also available through the PRESENTATION LANTERN CENTER, MULTICULTURAL FAMILY CENTER and Latino Empowerment and Development (LEAD). Services in Spanish were made available at ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH. An Hispanic ministry called Nueva Vista: Iglesia Hispana led by Diego Chuyma was begun in July, 2022 at GRANDVIEW AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. The CARNEGIE-STOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY began at the same time a bilingual storytime program called "Pequeños Cuentos." (6)

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Source:

1. Kelsey, Elizabeth, "Mi Vida en América," July 24, 2022, p. 1

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. Lyon, Randy, teacher in elementary school for 38 years who witnessed this occurrence many times

5. Ibid.

6. Kelsey