The most recent compilation of data by the Office of the Census revealed that the U.S. Hispanic population had reached the record number of 42.7 million people. This ratifies its status not only as the largest minority in the country, but also as the youngest and fastest-growing community, due to its high birth rate and the continued arrival of more immigrants.

The figures, published yesterday, represent 14.4 percent of the total 296.4 million inhabitants of the country.

The Hispanic community, which became the largest minority in 2003, grew by 1.3 million people (a 3.3 percent growth rate) in the period from July 1, 2004, to July 1, 2005. This number represents in turn, 49 percent of the overall population growth of 2.8 million for the same period.

Of the 1.3 million growth among Hispanics, 800,000 are from natural growth (births within the United States) and 500,000 represent new immigrants.

"The numbers are not a surprise, but what does surprise me is that the numbers are so steady; compared to the non-Latino population, which recorded 300,000 births and 200,000 immigrants, they are dramatic," noted Clara Domínguez, a sociologist at Fordham University in New York.

Dominguez considers that these numbers obviate the need for immigration reform, "as much to those in opposition as to those in support."

As to the reasons for the increase, Domínguez indicated that the demands of the job market are the main cause. "Also, neighborhoods have been established where it is easier for immigrants to become established," she said.

The Office of the Census also pointed out that the average age of the Hispanic populace is 27.2 years, considerably younger than the U.S. national average of 36.2 years.

"They will have more children. The country's face is changing, and there is ever more intermarriage, including of minorities within the minority, and that is part of the future of the country," added Domínguez.

Lillian Rodríguez-López, president of the Hispanic Federation, noted that "the country continues to grow and to prosper, and we Latinos are playing an important part in American society."

These data are being published after the massive moblizations of millions of immigrants throughout the country to call for a reform that would allow for the legalization of at least 12 million undocumented immigrants.

"The North American population has not woken up to the importance of the Hispanic community, nor to how it helps the country," stated Eduardo Juárez, director of the International Immigrants Foundation.

Although the Puerto Rican community continues to be the largest in the Big Apple, the demographic changes signal that this will not be for long. "They are the largest group (over 800,000), but their proportion is decreasing because their average age has gone up, the women are having fewer children, and more of them are leaving than are immigrating," said Joseph Salvo, an economist in the Planning Department of the City of New York.

According to Salvo, Hispanics made up 27 percent of New York's population in the year 2000, but with the new numbers "it wouldn't surprise me if they are now at 30 percent."

Hispanics in New York

Hispanic population in New York by country of origin, according to updated figures from the Office of the Census in 2004:

Total number of New Yorkers: 7,918,562

Neither Hispanic nor Latino: 5,699,929

Hispanic or Latino: 2,218,633

Puerto Rican: 831,568

Dominican: 512,087

Mexican: 233,755

Ecuadorian: 147,853

Colombian: 82,248

Cuban: 45,335

Salvadoran: 39,215

Honduran: 36,080

Peruvian: 29,779

Guatemalan: 25,876

Panamanian: 21,070

Argentinian: 18,111

Venezuelan: 13,299

Costa Rican: 8,418

Bolivian: 5,846

Nicaraguan: 4,918

Paraguayan: 4,684

Chilean: 4,532

Uruguayan: 2,434

Political power

Representatives of national Hispanic organizations emphasized the importance of the new statistics from the Office of the Census, but they warn that these figures need to be transformed into political power.

"We must translate these numbers into votes, because at the end of the day that's what counts," said Vanessa Cárdenas of the National Immigration Forum.

"Politicians see only how many votes there are in their districts," added Cárdenas in order to emphasize that the agenda of questions requiring resolution by the Latino community is very broad. "It is true that at the moment we are concentrated on immigration, but we should not forget other aspects like health, education, and employment."

Clarissa Martínez, director for Civic Participation of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), expressed similar ideas. "These numbers give us a guide to the opportunities and the tasks we have ahead of us. We must pay attention to how we can succeed in converting these numbers into greater political power for the community," Martínez assured this newspaper.

The NCLR is presently developing a national campaign to encourage the Hispanic vote.

According to Martínez, in the next elections "we will see a positive change, although this is a process whose results we will really see in the long term."

It is estimated that some 16 million Hispanics can exercise the right to vote in the United States, according to data from the Pew Center for Hispanic Studies. Nevertheless, barely three of every five are registered to vote. (with reports from Carmen Villavicencio)