Not since slavery have entire generations of children been held hostage to economic and political considerations as well as sheer animosity and bigotry. Within this climate, the legal persecution implied by such phenomena as California's Proposition 187 is both an intimidating and daunting hurdle to Hispanic Americans. In the next century, Hispanic Americans will become the largest ethnic group in the United States. Thus far, Hispanic Americans have experienced rapid population growth, nearly doubling in 14 years, from 14.6 million in 1980, to over 30 million in 1994. Despite popular misconceptions, most Hispanics are native born or naturalized citizens or have legal residency status.
Undocumented immigrants remain a small minority.
Sixty-four percent of Latino Americans are U.S. born citizens residing in the United States. The three largest groups are comprised of Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cuban Americans. Eleven percent of Hispanic Americans are under five years of age, and a third of Hispanic Americans are under age 15. In California, Hispanic students are projected to become the largest ethnic majority of the school population by the 19961997 school year. This trend is occurring in all major cities throughout the nation.