Commentary: Hispanics Are Being Transformed Into the Quintessential American

“Though most opponents of immigration are loath to admit it, at least publicly, they’re worried that the huge influx of Hispanics will somehow change America for the worse. And who can blame them for wondering whether the tremendous demographic shift that has taken place over the last few years won’t have unintended consequences? In 1970, there were fewer than 10 million Hispanics in the United States; today, there are more than 40 million, thanks largely to the ever-increasing influx of Latin American immigrants. And some estimates predict that by mid-century one out of every three Americans will be of Hispanic heritage.

Call it the browning of America, but what does it really mean? Will the United States become an extension of Latin America, or will the Melting Pot transform Hispanic immigrants into just another American ethnic group similar to the Irish, German, and Italian Americans who are descendants of previous immigrant flows? A study released this week by the U.S. Census Bureau gives reason for optimism that the latter path is more likely.”

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