Changes

Culturally they are mostly [[conservative]] [[Catholics]], with a strong [[evangelical]] element. They are known for very strong family ties, and high birth rates. They cluster at the bottom of the socio-economic scale, with low levels of education and high dropout rates from schools, and mostly hold unskilled or semi-skilled jobs. The "illegals" (undocumented) hold even lower-skilled jobs in agriculture, construction, landscaping, hotels and restaurants, while sending money back to their families. The Latino crime rate is about the national average. The illegals pay the same sales taxes as everyone, but usually have incomes too low to pay income taxes.  Many of the ilegals pay social security taxes into false accounts (which means they are not entitled to benefits).  The legals include both citizens and legal residents who are not yet citizens; all children born in the U.S. have U.S. citizenship. In many families, some members are illegal and some are legal non-citizens and others are full citizens.

Culturally they are mostly [[conservative]] [[Catholics]], with a strong [[evangelical]] element. They are known for very strong family ties, and high birth rates. They cluster at the bottom of the socio-economic scale, with low levels of education and high dropout rates from schools, and mostly hold unskilled or semi-skilled jobs. The "illegals" (undocumented) hold even lower-skilled jobs in agriculture, construction, landscaping, hotels and restaurants, while sending money back to their families. The Latino crime rate is about the national average. The illegals pay the same sales taxes as everyone, but usually have incomes too low to pay income taxes.  Many of the ilegals pay social security taxes into false accounts (which means they are not entitled to benefits).  The legals include both citizens and legal residents who are not yet citizens; all children born in the U.S. have U.S. citizenship. In many families, some members are illegal and some are legal non-citizens and others are full citizens.

They have been politically rather inactive (except in [[New Mexico]] and [[Puerto Rico]]). Polically, the citizens have low turnout rates, but their rapid increase of numbers presages a major voting block. [[George W. Bush]], and to a lesser extent [[John McCain]] have made major efforts to attract them to the Republican Party, but Democrats outnumber Republicans by about 65:35.

They have been politically rather inactive (except in [[New Mexico]] and [[Puerto Rico]]). Politically, the citizens have low turnout rates, but their rapid increase of numbers presages a major voting block. [[George W. Bush]], and to a lesser extent [[John McCain]] have made major efforts to attract them to the Republican Party, but Democrats outnumber Republicans by about 65:35.

The assimilation rates of Latinos resembles that of Italians and Poles in the early 20th century, and is higher than the rate of immigrants who came from Germany in the 18th and 19th century. Latinos have assimilated smoothly into American religion, sports, jobs and popular culture. They cling to favorite foods, but have made Mexican cuisine as popular in the U.S. as pizza (which the Italians brought over). The first generation, who came to the U.S. as adults, mostly speak Spanish. Their children are usually bilingual; very few of the children attend Spanish language schools or read Spanish.

The assimilation rates of Latinos resembles that of Italians and Poles in the early 20th century, and is higher than the rate of immigrants who came from Germany in the 18th and 19th century. Latinos have assimilated smoothly into American religion, sports, jobs and popular culture. They cling to favorite foods, but have made Mexican cuisine as popular in the U.S. as pizza (which the Italians brought over). The first generation, who came to the U.S. as adults, mostly speak Spanish. Their children are usually bilingual; very few of the children attend Spanish language schools or read Spanish.