La Raza forecasts major Latino issues for 1996

Special to the World

This article was reprinted from the February 10, 1996 issue of the People's Weekly World. For subscription information see below. All rights reserved - may be used with PWW credits.

At a press conference held today by the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), Paul Yzaguirre, president of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), said that among the key issues for Hispanics in 1996 are immigration, affirmative action, and the budget. He also noted that, from all accounts, Latino voters are closely monitoring the debate on these issues in this, a pivotal election year.

"Perhaps no issue has received as much scrutiny in recent months as immigration. We must not lose sight of the fact that we are a nation of immigrants and that, as with our own grandparents and great grandparents, today's immigrants continue to bring with them their energy, their drive, their diversity, and their desire to contribute to this great nation," said Yzaguirre.

Among the proposals under consideration by Congress are barring eligibility of legal immigrants, including children and the elderly, for federal programs and services; making deep cuts in the number of legal immigrants who are allowed into the country each year; implementing a national identification system under which employers would need permission from the government before hiring any worker; and enacting a constitutional amendment to deny birthright citizenship to children born in the U.S., due to the status of their parents.

On the issue of affirmative action, Yzaguirre noted that "the debate in 1995 demonstrated that the vast majority of Americans believe that diversity in education and in the workplace is a laudable policy that has enriched our country. To the extent that there are problems in the implementation of these programs -- and for Latinos, there certainly have been -- we agree with what President Clinton stated last July, 'mend affirmative action programs, don't end them.'"

"The debate over the budget has dominated the political landscape in recent weeks and most Americans are aware of the impact budget cuts will have on programs such as Medicare. The impact that massive cuts in other programs will have on Hispanics is less well known, " said Yzaguirre.

If Congress' proposed budget stands, it will have a devastating impact on Latinos and on their community-based organizations, often the sole source of supports for Hispanics at the local level."

Yzaguirre cited the results of recent NCLR research; for example:

MEDICAID - Hispanics already are the most uninsured population in the U.S.; 40 percent of poor Hispanics lack health insurance. Proposed Medicaid cuts would jeopardize health care coverage for an additional 15 percent of low- income Hispanics. Thus a majority [underline majority] of poor Hispanics could be left without access to any health acre at all.

EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT - In 1993, more than one- quarter of working poor Hispanic families received the credit and Latino poverty rates dropped a full two percentage points after accounting for the EITC. According to the Department of the Treasury, an Hispanic family with two or more children and an income of $20,000 would see their taxes increase by $259 in 1996 -- rising up to $550 by the year 2000 -- if the Senate proposal is adopted.

JOB TRAINING - Hispanics represent 13 percent of participants in the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) adult training programs. The proposed one-third cut in appropriations for JTPA will knock thousands of Latinos seeking to improve their jobs skills out of this program. Moreover, the existence of hundreds of Hispanic community- based organizations could be threatened by such a severe cut in employment and training monies.

YOUTH PROGRAMS - Hispanic youth constituted one-fifth of participants in federal youth training programs. These youth will be denied access to recreation and assistance -- and thrown out on the streets -- if proposed cuts of nearly 50 percent are implemented. In addition, both the House and Senate budgets eliminate funding for all summer youth programs and reduce funding for the critical School-to Work transition program.

"The Congress and the administration should be fully aware that their actions are being closely watched," Yzaguirre said. "Latinos are concentrated in key electoral states. Naturalization rates are at record levels. Voter registration levels are increasing at a rapid rate. No candidate and no political party can take our community's support for granted. Together with other members of the NHLA, we pledge to make sure every Hispanic casts an informed vote."