With 65.2 million Hispanics living in the United States by 2024, this demographic group is the largest in the US, making up nearly 20% of the population. Over the years, the Hispanic diaspora has contributed to the country’s economic growth and, with this, have faced the challenges of adapting to a new language, culture and, of course, different laws. However, the Hispanic community has not only adapted, but has also influenced legislative changes that benefit society as a whole.
Over the past decade, the Hispanic population has contributed to more than 90% of workforce growth. Along with the opportunities that life in the US presents, there are several challenges that the Hispanic community must face. A different language, different culture and customs, different laws, and more. Furthermore, the history of Latino contributions to the American cultural amalgam has not stopped since the beginning of the United States. Generation after generation, the Latino diaspora has assumed the transition to American life and identity with creativity and industriousness. The enrichment of fresh perspectives of immigrants and minorities gaining representation has often led to legislative developments that transcend the Latino community.
The Adaptation of the Hispanic Diaspora to Local Laws
The American legal system requires that its residents know the laws since ignorance does not exempt them from compliance. For Hispanics, especially newcomers, becoming familiar with local regulations is essential.
Knowledge for Compliance
For starters, it is essential to optimize effective communication. In Texas, there are 12.1 million Latinos, making them the largest demographic group in the state. Although many can communicate in English, it is estimated that about 28.5% speak Spanish at home. Consequently, in many agencies and states, limited English proficiency (LEP) can be an obstacle to successful integration.
Workforce Solutions of Texas has implemented several state, regional, and municipal programs, such as Adult Education and Literacy Services (AEL) that provide access to English as a Second Language courses. It is worth mentioning that prioritizing English proficiency is a good idea to be able to make the most of other English courses. In addition to learning the language, English courses include the cultural component that helps students delve deeper into the culture and learn how natives use the language to communicate. This, for example, can save you the awkward situation of saying a phrase with a double meaning by mistake.
Know More, Integrate Better
In addition to the language, knowing local laws is key to avoiding misunderstandings or violations of rights. Nonprofit organizations and government agencies offer legal clinics and advice in Spanish to learn about local laws covering topics such as labor rights, immigration, and property. Resources like these allow Hispanics to navigate local laws with greater confidence. In addition to knowing local laws, a fundamental part of integration is knowing and making use of available resources.
A common concern for people who have just arrived or are planning to move to the US is obtaining employment and legal status. The EB-3 immigration visa may be the combined solution for some people, offering a path to residency through employment.
The Adoption of Local Laws and Hispanic Entrepreneurship
Compliance with local regulations has allowed many Hispanic people to prosper in sectors such as construction, gastronomy, and services. Successful businesses are a testament to this community’s commitment to legality and progress. As Hispanics adopt the laws, they are also increasingly involved in processes such as purchasing property and registering businesses, contributing to the local and national economy.
On the other hand, Latinos who want to expand their job opportunities can take advantage of resources that are available to the community at large, and often in Spanish. Each Workforce Solutions region offers professional improvement for job search based on the needs of the labor market in your area. Some regions even have collaborations with educational institutions to offer courses in English as a second language, high school equivalency, and education for professional improvement or the entrepreneurship of short careers in high demand. Additionally, the WorkinTexas website offers a variety of information on the labor market including the most in-demand jobs, up-to-date classifieds and career enrichment programs for every career type, from technical trades to post-graduate professions.
Legal Challenges and Barriers
For migrants anywhere, adapting to a new legal system can feel like a monumental task. Knowing your duties and rights becomes essential every time you leave your home.
Hispanic communities face significant challenges in their access to justice, including language barriers and lack of knowledge of their legal rights. These difficulties can lead to situations where their rights are violated, whether in the workplace, as consumers, or after an accident.
Accessing adequate legal resources is a common obstacle. Often, a lack of information or distrust in the system prevents them from seeking the legal help they need. However, having legal representation from lawyers who speak your language and understand your culture can make a big difference. An attorney who not only speaks your language but also understands the unique challenges of the community will ensure that your rights are adequately defended.
The Diaspora as a Force for Change
More and more Hispanics are becoming actively involved in processes such as purchasing property, registering businesses, and resolving disputes. Likewise, the increase in naturalizations demonstrates a firm commitment to the legal system and their role as active members of society.
Hispanics have not only adopted the laws, but have been a transformative force in the fight for rights. Figures such as César Chávez and Dolores Huerta promoted movements that improved the working conditions of agricultural workers, one of the most vulnerable communities in the country. Thanks to their efforts, laws such as the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act have provided crucial protections for millions of workers.
Justice for All: The Evolution of Hispanic Rights in the US
Throughout history, the Hispanic community has been instrumental in promoting reforms in areas such as labor rights, access to justice, and consumer rights. From fighting for living wages to advocating for better working conditions, Hispanic activism has improved the lives of millions of people, inside and outside their community.
Fight for agricultural workers’ rights
Before 1975, the farming community, especially in California, suffered from poor working conditions. Wages below the federal minimum perpetuated poverty in their communities. César Chávez and Dolores Huerta promoted worker movements that resulted in the improvement of working conditions for agricultural employees through unions and lobbying. Together, they founded the United Farm Workers union and paved the way for labor organizing in other industries and states. Much of the result of their struggles is contemplated in the Agricultural Labor Relations Law. Over time, this law has undergone revisions that improved the way it protects agricultural worker’s rights. The Labor Relations Law also laid the foundation for momentous changes that shaped the future of many agricultural workers. At the moment, fourteen states have adopted laws that allow agricultural unionization.
The Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act of 1983
Laws such as the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act arose in part thanks to the defense of the rights of agricultural workers, many of them Hispanic, who fought for safer and fairer working conditions.
In 1987, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, its acronym in English) published the Law of Farm Standards. This law addressed questionable sanitary conditions, dictating that agricultural workers must have access to bathrooms and drinking water in the work area. That same year the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH, its acronym in English) established SENSOR-pesticides, a sentinel program to monitor poisoning occurrences, better understand the risks associated with the agricultural industry, and use data to reduce injuries and illnesses from occupational exposure to pesticides.
It is estimated that the United States has around 2M agricultural workers. With approximately 10,000 to 20,000 cases of pesticide poisoning annually, there is still much to be done. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the Worker Protection Standards Act in 1992 to regulate toxic chemical use practices by requiring employers to implement safety measures to protect their workers.
Contribution of Hispanic communities to legal reforms
Hispanic communities have not only adopted local laws but have also played a crucial role in challenging policies that affect their well-being, driving important reforms. Through their activism, they have made significant changes in areas such as social justice, working conditions, and consumer rights.
The reforms promoted by the Hispanic community have improved the lives of many people, whether fighting for living wages, better working conditions, or fair treatment as consumers. These contributions demonstrate their commitment not only to adopting laws but to creating a more just and equitable legal system for all.
Executive Order 13166 of 2000 establishes that each federal government agency must examine the services it offers in order to develop and implement systems that allow LEP persons to access their consistent services effectively and without unduly overwhelming the agency. State agencies such as the Texas Department of Health and Human Services and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles have adapted their platforms and programs to offer services in Spanish both online and in their offices.
The former secretary of the United States Department of Labor, Hilda Solis, also made significant contributions to labor rights for the general population. In 2007 she helped file the Fair Minimum Wage Act to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), raising the minimum wage for the first time in 10 years. You can access more information about this law here. Additionally, Solis supported the Employee Free Selection Act expanding rights for employees who wanted to join a union. She also developed and introduced the Green Jobs Bill, authorizing investment in new national and state job training programs leading to increased jobs in industries such as green building construction, renewable energy, and biofuel development.
Similarly, initiatives like the Keeping Families Together Act respond to efforts to counter immigration policies that separate families, underscoring the importance of protecting family unity. Keeping Families Together is a legislative program that benefits immigrant citizens by allowing non-citizen spouses and stepchildren to temporarily remain in the U.S. if they meet eligibility criteria.
The Importance of Culturally Competent Legal Representation
In critical situations such as vehicle accidents, defective products, or labor rights, adequate legal representation is essential. Firms like The Carlson Law Firm are committed to providing effective representation so that the Hispanic community can confidently overcome legal obstacles and secure the protection they deserve.
Adapting to the U.S. legal system is a process, but with the right support and knowledge of available resources, the Hispanic diaspora can not only integrate but thrive.
