A report on Arizona’s Hispanic population shows they make up a large section of the workforce, and the report highlights issues the community is dealing with.
The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce released its annual DATOS report on Tuesday. It’s an evaluation of the Hispanic market.
This year’s report shows Hispanics make up 32% of Arizona’s population and a slightly greater percentage of the state’s labor force.
Arizona’s Latino labor force has also grown more over the last several years than the overall workforce.
According to the DATOS report, Arizona’s workforce grew by 400,000, “with Latinos making up 276,000 of New Workers.”
That Hispanic population is particularly concentrated in Yuma, Santa Cruz and Pima counties — all touching the state’s southern border.
The Hispanic population is also experiencing higher homelessness, school absenteeism and the bulk of federal immigration sentencings.
Close to half of Arizona’s K-12 students are Hispanic, and Arizona is one of the top five states in the country in terms of chronic absenteeism.
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce notes that healthy immigration policy makes a stronger economy.
Chamber President and CEO Mónica Villalobos advocated in the report for more timely adjudication of immigration cases, prioritized family reunions, and better options for migrant workers in key industries.
