Hispanic Inequality

Hispanic Inequality

Being Hispanic in the United States has, even to this day, poses many challenges to achieving the "American Dream." Whether they are a citizen or not isn't even the issue in many cases as discrimination causes many of them to have to deal with the expectation that they are in the country illegally and that causes issues that have to be overcome even before they can be gainfully employed. In the situation where the person really is an undocumented immigrant it gets even more complicated, due to possible criminal charges being leveled at them along with the already existing prejudices. Obviously, there is no simple fix to this problem. It has to be comprehensive and work throughout both the legislative strata and through the hearts and minds of the people.

I. Assessing, recognizing and categorizing the problems that are faced, by Hispanics both socially and professionally.

A. Social issues

1. There is a detrimental attitude in society that relegates Hispanics to being less human since they are not from this country.

2. There is a major problem with a language barrier that causes integration and acceptance into the larger society as whole to be very difficult.

3. Those that have migrated here within their own generation also face the standard financial difficulties that all immigrants face when they arrive in a new location.

4. There is a perception that due to their foreign upbringing Hispanics are less capable of learning.

B. Professional issues

1. Perceptions of inferior education lead to discrimination in job opportunities.

2. Existing racial tensions can lead to friction with coworkers.

3. Existing laws create paranoia concerning hiring Hispanics due to a perceived legal threat if they are documented or not.

C. Legal issues

1. Laws involving undocumented immigrants and those that employ them discourage cultural integration.

2. Due to legal status there is difficulty in communicating with law enforcement resulting in social and legal problems within the undocumented Hispanic community.

3. The mere existence of immigration laws in their current form give a reinforcement and pseudo justification for discriminatory attitudes.

II. Existing attempts at a solution.

A. Legislative Solutions

1. US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

2.