Hispanic and Latino Americans

Hispanic and Latino Americans are people in the United States who have a background, culture, or family origin from Hispanic or Latino groups. This group includes anyone who identifies as Hispanic or Latino, no matter what their race is.

People can be considered Hispanic or Latino based on their ancestry, nationality, or where their family comes from before coming to the United States. This group includes many different races because, like in Latin American countries, people can have mixed European, Indigenous, African, or other heritages.

Hispanic and Latino Americans share some common elements, especially the use of the Spanish language, even though they come from many different countries. The largest groups come from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. The history of Hispanic Americans in the U.S. goes back a long time, especially in areas that were once part of Spain’s empire, like the American Southwest, the West Coast, and Florida.

Terminology

Further information: Hispanic and Latino (ethnic categories)

The words Hispanic and Latino describe a shared culture, not a specific race. The word Hispanic became common in the United States after 1977. Government offices made this group for people whose families came from countries where Spanish is spoken.

People who are Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Many feel that being Hispanic is part of their culture. Most Hispanic Americans don’t think you need to speak Spanish to be Hispanic or Latino. Both terms describe people whose families come from Spanish-speaking countries in the Americas. Some people prefer one term over the other depending on where they live. In recent years, some have started using new terms like Latinx or Latine, but these are not widely used yet.

History

Main article: History of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States

See also: Hispanic Heritage Sites

16th and 17th centuries

Early explorers helped shape the land we now call the United States. In 1513, Juan Ponce de León was the first European to land in what is now the United States, naming the area La Florida. Over the next few years, Spanish explorers traveled far into the country, reaching the Appalachian Mountains, the Mississippi River, the Grand Canyon, and the Great Plains. They sailed along both the Atlantic Coast and the Pacific Coast, going as far north as Bangor, Maine and as far west as Oregon.

In 1565, the Spanish built the first lasting European town in the United States at St. Augustine, Florida. They later created other important towns in places that are today Santa Fe, New Mexico, El Paso, San Antonio, Tucson, Albuquerque, San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

18th and 19th centuries

See also: Battle of the Alamo, Mexican Cession, Gadsden Purchase, and Treaty of Paris (1898)

By the late 1700s, Spain still owned about half of what is now the United States. In the years after 1819, the United States grew larger, taking in areas such as California, Texas, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Many Latino families lived there and became U.S. citizens, though they often had a hard time keeping their land and traditions.

The discovery of gold in California in 1848 brought many new people, including many from Hispanic backgrounds, who helped build the growing state.

20th and 21st centuries

In the 1900s and today, many more Hispanic families moved to the United States, especially after changes in immigration rules in 1965. During World War I and II, Hispanic Americans helped keep factories running and farms working when many others were away at war.

Hispanic and Latino Americans worked hard to make sure everyone was treated fairly, joining bigger movements for civil rights. Groups like the League of United Latin American Citizens and the United Farm Workers stood up for fair treatment and better lives for all.

To honor the many ways Hispanic Americans have helped shape the United States, a special week was created in 1968 and later grew into a whole month celebrated each year: National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hispanic and Latino Americans have also served in government and helped make important decisions for the country. They continue to play a big role in America today, sharing their traditions, languages, and history with everyone.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Hispanic and Latino Americans

See also: Demographics of the United States and List of U.S. states by Hispanic and Latino population

Hispanic people in the United States have been counted in different ways before the census started asking about ethnicity. In 1930, people of Mexican background were counted separately. From 1940 to 1970, people were asked about their Spanish mother tongue.

By 2020, about 19–20% of people in the U.S. were Hispanic, which means about 62–65 million people. The U.S. Census Bureau thinks they missed counting some Hispanic people. From 2000 to 2007, the Hispanic population grew quickly. By 2050, the Hispanic population is expected to be about 132.8 million, or 30.2% of all people in the U.S.

Geographic distribution

See also: List of U.S. cities with large Hispanic populations

Hispanic and Latino American population distribution over time

1980

1990

2000

2010

2020

US Metropolitan Statistical Areas with over 1 million Hispanics (2014)

States and territories with the highest proportion of Hispanics (2021)

In 2022, New York City and Washington, D.C. saw many new Latino residents moving from Texas. Most of these people came from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and Honduras.

Most Hispanic people live in the Southwest part of the U.S., especially in California and Texas. In the Northeast, many people are from Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. In Florida, many are from Cuba and Puerto Rico. In the Great Lakes states and South Atlantic states, many are from Mexico or Puerto Rico. Mexico is the most common background in most other areas.

National origin

As of 2024, most Hispanic people in the U.S. are of Mexican origin. The next largest groups are from Puerto Rico, followed by people from Cuba, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, and Guatemala. There are also big groups from Colombia, Honduras, Venezuela, and Ecuador. In 2017, two-thirds of Hispanic people were born in the United States.

Race and ethnicity

See also: Race and ethnicity in Latin America, Race and ethnicity in the United States, and Race and ethnicity in the United States census

Hispanic people come from many different racial backgrounds. They share a common language (Spanish) and culture, but they can be of any race. In the 2020 census, only a small part of Hispanic people identified as "White". Over 42% of Hispanic people chose "some other race", and over half identified as having "two or more races".

Age

As of 2014, about one-third of Hispanic people in the U.S. were younger than 18. This means more than half of the Hispanic population in the United States was under the age of 35.

Education

See also: Hispanic-serving institution

As more Hispanic people live in the United States, they have a big effect on schools from kindergarten to high school. In 2011–12, Hispanics made up 24% of all students in the U.S., especially in states like California and Texas.

Hispanic students have many good points. They often go to full-day kindergarten programs. They are also well represented in gifted and talented classes. Their scores in math and reading keep getting better each year. Plus, they are more likely than other groups to go to college.

But there are still some challenges. Hispanic students often have lower scores in math and reading compared to others. They also have one of the highest dropout rates, though it is getting better. Some reasons for these challenges include language barriers, poverty, and where families come from.

Most students learning English as a second language are Hispanic. Schools have special programs to help these students, but it can be extra work for them. These programs often focus only on English.

Since a big court decision in 1982, all immigrants, including Hispanics, have the right to go to public school from kindergarten to 12th grade. How well they do in school can depend on when they came to the U.S. and their education before arriving.

Some people learn two languages at the same time. This is common for many Hispanic children who grow up speaking another language at home and learn English at school.

Hispanics are a large part of students at top universities. For example, they make up a good share of students at Yale University, Columbia University, and Harvard University. Many Hispanic students also go to schools like University of Texas at El Paso and Florida International University.

Some colleges are called "Hispanic-serving institutions" because more than 25% of their students are Hispanic. There are over 270 of these schools across the country.

Health

Hispanic Americans often live longer than White Americans. This may be because of healthy habits from their home countries and strong family ties.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, Hispanic and Black communities had more cases than other groups.

Economic outlook

Median income

In 2017, the US census said that the average income for Hispanic American families was $50,486. This was the third year in a row that this number went up.

Poverty

The US census found that in 2017, about 18.3 percent of Hispanic Americans lived in poverty. This was a small improvement from 2016. During this time, about 10.8 million Hispanic people were living in poverty.

Poverty can affect many students, especially those from minority groups. Often, these students live in areas with fewer resources, which can make it harder for them to succeed in school. Many Hispanic families rely on community services to help overcome these challenges.

Cultural matters

Main articles: American culture and Hispanic culture

See also: National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations

The different backgrounds of Hispanic Americans mean that their cultures can vary a lot. People from nearby countries often share more cultural traits than those from distant countries. But there are also common features that connect many Hispanic communities.

Language

See also: Spanish language in the United States and Languages of the United States

Spanish

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The Constitution of California was written in both Spanish (left) and English (right) in 1849.

Spanish is a key part of Hispanic culture and identity. Many Hispanic families teach their children Spanish, valuing it for keeping family ties strong and for helping in jobs and careers. Most second-generation Hispanics speak Spanish well, and many third-generation Hispanics do too. Spanish is also one of the most popular languages taught in schools.

Hispanics have helped keep Spanish alive in the United States, where it has been spoken since the 16th century. With many Hispanic immigrants and their descendants in the U.S., most Hispanics over five years old can speak both English and Spanish at home. Some speak only English, while others speak only Spanish.

American Spanish dialects

See also: Isleño Spanish, New Mexican Spanish, and Spanish language in California

The Spanish spoken in the U.S. changes based on where people come from. In the Southwest, it’s often Mexican Spanish or Chicano Spanish. In New Mexico and Colorado, there’s a special type called Traditional New Mexican Spanish. On the East Coast, Caribbean Spanish is common, influenced by Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Isleño Spanish is spoken in Louisiana, and comes from Canary Island Spanish. Elsewhere, Mexican Spanish is usually spoken.

People who grew up speaking Spanish at home often speak it very well but might not know all the grammar rules. Those who learn Spanish later often speak with an English accent.

Spanglish and English dialects

Main articles: Chicano English, Spanglish, Miami § Dialect, and New York Latino English

See also: List of English words of Spanish origin

Hispanics have added many Spanish words to English. Younger Hispanics often mix Spanish and English in their speech, called Spanglish. This happens a lot in cities with many Hispanics, like Miami, San Antonio, Los Angeles, and New York City.

Hispanics have also shaped how English is spoken in places like Miami, where the Miami dialect is common. In the Southwest, Chicano English is spoken by many, and in New York, New York Latino English is used. When speaking English, Hispanics sometimes add Spanish words like tú sabes or este to show their identity.

Religion

A study found that most Hispanic Americans are Christians (72%). As of 2018–19, 47% are Catholic, 24% are Protestant, 1% are Mormon, less than 1% are Orthodox Christian, 3% follow other religions, and 23% don’t follow any specific religion. The number of Catholics among Hispanics has gone down since 2009, while those with no religion has gone up. Most Hispanic Protestants are evangelical.

Hispanics make up almost 40% of Catholics in the United States. In 2019, José Horacio Gómez, a Mexican-born American, became president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Media

See also: Latino literature

The U.S. has many Spanish-language media outlets, from big TV networks and magazines to small radio stations. These media help Hispanics feel connected to their roots and to each other. The first major Hispanic-owned film studio in the U.S. is in Atlanta, Georgia.

Hispanics are more likely to use social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram than non-Hispanics.

Radio

Spanish-language radio is a big part of broadcasting in the U.S. It grew a lot from the 1920s to the 1970s, especially in Texas and the Southwest.

Networks

Well-known Hispanic media outlets include:

• CNN en Español, a Spanish-language news network in Atlanta, Georgia;
• ESPN Deportes and Fox Deportes, Spanish-language sports networks.
• Telemundo, a major Spanish-language TV network with stations everywhere in the U.S.
  • TeleXitos, a digital network owned by NBCUniversal.
  • Universo, a cable network for U.S.-born Hispanics.
• Univisión, the largest Spanish-language TV network in the U.S.
  • UniMás, a free-to-air TV network owned by TelevisaUnivision.
  • Fusion TV, an English channel for Hispanics with news and satire.
  • Galavisión, a general entertainment channel.
• Estrella TV, a Spanish-language broadcast network.
• V-me, a Spanish-language TV network.
  • Primo TV, an English cable channel for Hispanic kids.
• Azteca América, a Spanish-language TV network.
• Fuse, a music channel that merged with NuvoTV in 2015.
  • FM, a music channel after the merger.
• 3ABN Latino, a Spanish-language Christian network in West Frankfort, Illinois.
• TBN Enlace USA, a Spanish-language Christian network in Tustin, California.

Print

• La Opinión, a Spanish-language newspaper in Los Angeles, California.
• El Nuevo Herald and Diario Las Américas, newspapers in Miami, Florida.
• El Tiempo Latino, a weekly newspaper in Washington, D.C.
• Latina, a magazine for Hispanic women.
• People en Español, a Spanish version of People magazine.
• Vida Latina, an entertainment magazine in the Southern U.S.

Sports

Main article: Hispanic and Latino athletes in American sports

Soccer is popular among Hispanics from outside the Caribbean, especially immigrants, and has helped grow the sport’s popularity in the U.S. Baseball is common among Caribbean Hispanics and is a big part of MLB’s fans and players.

Other popular sports include boxing, gridiron football, and basketball.

Music

Different Hispanic cultures have many kinds of music. Reggaeton and hip hop are very popular with Hispanic youth. Recently, Latin trap, trap corridos, and Dominican dembow have become popular too.

Cuisine

See also: Cuisine of California, Cuisine of New Mexico, Cuisine of Florida, and Texan cuisine

Hispanic food, especially Mexican food, has shaped American cooking. Tortillas and salsa are now as common as hamburger buns and ketchup. Tortilla chips have become more popular than potato chips, and plantain chips from Caribbean cuisines are growing in sales. Avocados, called “America’s new favorite fruit,” are especially popular among Hispanic Americans.

Mexican food in the Southwest is often considered some of the best in the U.S. In Miami, Cuban food is common, with treats like pastelitos de guayaba, and empanadas. Miami’s coffee culture is influenced by Cuba, with café con leche and cortaditos popular. The Cuban sandwich is a famous part of Miami’s food scene.

Familial situations

Family life and values

Hispanic culture puts a lot of importance on family. Families are often large and close, sometimes with three or even four generations living together or nearby. Grandparents are very important in raising children.

Hispanics are focused on family happiness, and big events like baptisms, birthdays, first Holy Communions, quinceañeras, Confirmations, graduations, and weddings are times for family celebrations.

Education is very important to Hispanic families, seen as a way to succeed in the U.S. Many Hispanic youth stay at home longer to study and look for better jobs.

Intermarriage

Hispanic Americans often marry people from other backgrounds. By 2010, 25.7% of newlyweds who were Hispanic married someone who wasn’t Hispanic. Native-born Hispanics were more likely to marry outside their group than foreign-born Hispanics.

Most non-Hispanics are fine with a family member marrying a Hispanic. Hispanics also generally approve of marrying outside their group.

Gender roles

Before the 1960s, Mexican men often felt they had to be the only providers, but this changed.

Traditional Hispanic families often have the man as the main decision-maker and the woman as housewife and mother. But moving to the U.S. often changes this, as women become more independent. Many modern Hispanic families share work and chores more equally, and women are encouraged to get educations and careers.

Cultural adjustment

As Hispanic immigrants become more common in the U.S., their identity changes, especially for younger generations. Moving to a new country creates a mix of their original culture and American culture, forming a new sense of what it means to be Hispanic.

Transnationalism

Along with feeling separate from their home country and the U.S., a new identity called latinidad develops. This is especially seen in big cities like New York City, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. It brings together different Hispanic groups under a shared sense of history, language, and culture.

Keeping children safe

Studies show that a higher percentage of young Hispanic adults identify with LGBT communities compared to White or African American adults. This is even more common among Hispanic Millennials and Gen Z.

Politics

Main article: Hispanic and Latino American politics

See also: List of Hispanic Americans in the United States Congress

Hispanic and Latino Americans have different political views based on where they live and their backgrounds. Most support or identify with the Democrats, while some support the Republicans. This difference grew between 2007 and 2022. Traditionally, they have supported the Democratic Party, but opinions have split more in recent years.

Different groups within Hispanic and Latino Americans tend to support different parties. For example, Cuban, Colombian, Chilean, and Venezuelan Americans often support the Republicans, while Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Dominican Americans usually support the Democrats. Because Mexican Americans are the largest group, the Democratic Party is generally stronger with this community.

Some important political groups for Hispanic and Latino Americans include the League of United Latin American Citizens, the National Council of La Raza, the United Farm Workers, the Cuban American National Foundation, and the National Institute for Latino Policy.

The large number of Hispanic and Latino Americans makes their voting choices very important in elections. The difference in votes between the two main parties is often small, so Hispanic and Latino votes can change the outcome.

Political affiliations

Main page: Category:Hispanic and Latino American members of the Cabinet of the United States

From 1986 to 1996, Hispanic and Latino voters became more active, though still less than other groups. Issues like immigration and civil rights were important. In the 1992 election, Bill Clinton worked hard to get their support, which helped him win. By 1996, more Hispanic and Latino people were elected to Congress.

In the 1996 election, most Hispanic and Latino voters chose Bill Clinton. By 2004, this support dropped a bit. In California, Hispanic and Latino voters strongly supported Democrats, but in Texas and Florida, opinions were more split.

In 1998, a California vote showed how much Hispanic and Latino communities could influence policy. The 2000 election was very close, and reaching out to Hispanic and Latino voters helped George W. Bush win. By 2006, due to issues like the Iraq War and debates over immigration, Hispanic and Latino voters strongly supported Democrats again.

In 2008, Hispanic and Latino voters participated more than before. In the race between Barack Obama and John McCain, most chose Obama. Their support was important in states like Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Virginia.

In 2012, most Hispanic and Latino voters chose Obama over Mitt Romney. Issues like immigration reform and healthcare were important to them.

In 2016, Hillary Clinton won most of the Hispanic and Latino vote. Donald Trump’s comments and policies on immigration made many Hispanic and Latino voters support Democrats.

In 2018, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won an election and became the youngest woman in Congress. In 2020, Hispanic and Latino voters were the largest minority group voting.

In 2020, Joe Biden won the election, with strong support from Hispanic and Latino voters. However, Donald Trump gained more support from this group compared to 2016, especially in Florida and Texas.

In 2022, Mayra Flores became the first Mexican-born woman elected to the United States House of Representatives.

Political impact

Main article: List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States

See also: Latino vote

In the 2024 election, Donald Trump gained more support from Hispanic and Latino voters than in past elections, especially among men and in states like Florida and Texas. Economic issues became more important to many Hispanic and Latino voters. Still, the Democratic Party remains strong with younger and more progressive Hispanic and Latino voters.

Notable contributions

Hispanic Americans have made important contributions to the United States in many areas, such as politics, the military, music, film, literature, sports, business, and science.

Arts and entertainment

In 1995, an award was created to honor Hispanic performers in acting, directing, and music. Many Hispanic musicians have had a big impact on the music industry in the United States and around the world.

Music

Many Hispanic American musicians have become famous and influential, such as Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, and Carlos Santana.

Hispanic music from Cuba and Mexico became popular in the 1950s. Artists like Celia Cruz were very successful.

In 1986, a chart was introduced to rank the best-performing songs on Spanish-language radio stations in the United States. Later, charts for top-selling Latin albums were also created.

In 1989, an award ceremony was established to recognize talented performers of Spanish-language music. In 2000, another award was created specifically for musicians who perform in Spanish and Portuguese.

Film, radio, television, and theatre

American cinema has shown negative stereotypes of minorities, but representation has improved, especially since the 1990s. Filmmakers and actors like Edward James Olmos and Jessica Alba have become successful.

Hispanics have also contributed many actors and others to the film industry. Some notable actors include José Ferrer, Rita Moreno, and Salma Hayek.

Hispanics are underrepresented in U.S. television, radio, and film, but organizations work to improve this.

Some Hispanic actors who have succeeded in U.S. television include Desi Arnaz, Jimmy Smits, and Sofia Vergara.

Fashion

Notable Hispanic fashion designers include Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera. Famous models include Christy Turlington and Adriana Lima.

Artists

Notable Hispanic artists include Jean-Michel Basquiat, Judith Baca, and Carmen Herrera.

Business and finance

The number of Hispanic-owned businesses grew quickly from 2002.

Business leaders include Roberto Goizueta, who led The Coca-Cola Company, and Arte Moreno, the first Hispanic to own a major league baseball team in the United States.

There are several Hispanics on the list of richest Americans.

The largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States is Goya Foods.

Since 2021, a magazine has listed young Hispanic executives in the United States.

Government and politics

As of 2007, there were over five thousand elected officials in the United States who were Hispanic.

In the House of Representatives, there are many Hispanic representatives. In the Senate, there are also Hispanic members.

Hispanic Governors include Brian Sandoval and Susana Martinez.

Hispanic Americans have served in presidential administrations since 1988.

In 2009, Sonia Sotomayor became the first Supreme Court Justice of Hispanic origin.

In 2022, Robert Santos became the first Director of the U.S. Census Bureau of Hispanic origin.

Organizations like the Congressional Hispanic Caucus work to promote policies important to Hispanic Americans.

Literature and journalism

Writers and their works

Hispanic writers have produced many famous books, such as How the García Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Álvarez and The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros.

Journalists

Hispanic journalists include Ana Cabrera, who works for CNN, and Jorge Ramos, who has won many awards.

Military

Hispanics have served in the military since the American Revolution and have participated in every major conflict.

Many Hispanics have received the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award.

Science and technology

Hispanic Americans have made important contributions to science.

Luis Walter Álvarez won a Nobel Prize in Physics, and Mario J. Molina won a Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Other notable scientists include Dr. Victor Manuel Blanco, who discovered a galactic cluster, and Dr. Fernando E. Rodríguez Vargas, who discovered bacteria that cause dental cavities.

Some Hispanics have become astronauts, including Franklin Chang-Diaz and Ellen Ochoa.

Sports

Hispanic and Latino American women in sports

Hispanic women have achieved great success in sports. Monica Puig, a tennis player from Puerto Rico, won a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Laurie Hernandez, a gymnast, also won gold in 2016. Jessica Mendoza is a former softball player and Olympic gold medalist who now works as a baseball analyst.

Hispanic and Latino American men in sports

Football

Tom Flores was the first Hispanic head coach and quarterback in American professional football. Anthony Muñoz is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Baseball

Hispanics have played in Major League Baseball since its beginning. Famous players include Ted Williams, Sammy Sosa, and Alex Rodriguez.

Basketball

Players like Carmelo Anthony and Manu Ginóbili have succeeded in the NBA.

Tennis

Pancho Gonzales was a legendary tennis player. Monica Puig won a gold medal in tennis at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Soccer

Hispanics have greatly influenced soccer in the United States. Players like Tab Ramos and Claudio Reyna have played in Major League Soccer.

Swimming

Ryan Lochte and Dara Torres, both of Cuban ancestry, have won many Olympic medals.

Other sports

Hispanic athletes have also succeeded in boxing, mixed martial arts, hockey, figure skating, golf, softball, and skateboarding.

Anti-Latino sentiment

Main article: Anti-Mexican sentiment

See also: Perpetual foreigner § United States

In countries like the United States, some people sometimes feel negative toward new immigrants. This can show up as unfair treatment based on a person's background, culture, or the language they speak. There have been times when people treated Hispanic and Latino communities unfairly. These feelings often came from misunderstandings about their culture or how they spoke.

In recent years, there have been reports of unfair actions toward Hispanic communities. This kind of treatment can make it harder for Hispanic families to feel safe in their new homes.

Discrimination

Many Hispanic people have felt treated unfairly. Laws about who can live in the country can also create an unfriendly environment for immigrants. After big events like September 11, 2001, some people were unfairly treated just because of their background. This kind of treatment can be hard on families and young people.

Immigration reform

1965: Immigration and Nationality Act (Hart-Celler Act)

The Immigration and Nationality Act, made in 1952, is an important law. It sets rules about who can come to the United States and how they can stay. The law has been changed many times to meet new needs.

1986: Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)

In 1986, new rules were added to help control who can work in the United States. Employers must check if people can legally work here. The law also helped some people who had lived in the U.S. for a long time to become official residents.

1996: Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA)

In 1996, the law was updated to help protect people who have faced serious harm from family members. This includes people who have been hurt by a spouse, parent, or other family living with them. These protections apply even if the person asking for help is not the one harmed, such as a child living with an abused parent.

2012: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a policy that started in 2012. It gives temporary protection from being sent away and allows work permits to young people who came to the United States as children. To qualify, they must have arrived before age 16, be under 31 now, and have lived here since June 15, 2007. They also need to be in school, have finished high school, or have served honorably in the military. DACA does not lead to permanent status but must be renewed every two years. Many people benefited from DACA, seeing better jobs and education. The policy has faced legal challenges but continues to help many young immigrants.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Janet Napolitano Secretary of Homeland Security Obama administration high school US Armed Forces Coast Guard