The Pew Hispanic Center published a fact sheet on modes by which the unauthorized migrant population enters the country. New estimates show that nearly half of all the unauthorized migrants now living in the United States entered the country legally through a port of entry such as an airport or a border crossing point where they were subject to inspection by immigration officials.

As much as 45% of the total unauthorized migrant population entered the country with visas that allowed them to visit or reside in the U.S. for a limited amount of time. Known as "overstayers," these migrants became part of the illegal population when they remained after their visas had expired. Another smaller share of the unauthorized migrant population entered the county legally from Mexico using a Border Crossing Card, a document that allows short visits limited to the border region, and then violated the terms of admission.

The Pew Hispanic Center has previously estimated that there are between 11.5 and 12 million unauthorized migrants in 2006. The calculations reported in this fact sheet suggest that roughly 4.5 to 6 million or 40 to 50% of the total entered the country legally through ports of entry. Of them, some 4 to 5.5 million entered with nonimmigrant visas, mostly as tourists or business visitors, and another 250,000 to 500,000 entered with Border Crossing Cards. For more information visit: http://pewhispanic.org.

Source: Pew Hispanic Center

May 5 was the end of the Florida 2006 Legislature Session and Representative Bob Henriquez's last Session in the Florida State House of Representatives. Henriquez has served as Vice Chair of the Florida Hispanic Legislative Caucus (FHLC) for the past two years. The FHLC presented Henriquez with a plaque in recognition of 8 years of exemplary service to the Hispanic Community and to the state of Florida.

The picture was taken on May 5, 2006, which was the end of Florida's 2006 Legislative Session. This was Representative Bob Henriquez's last Session in the Florida State House of Representatives. Henriquez has served as Vice Chair of the FHLC for the past two years. The Florida Hispanic Legislative Caucus presented Henriquez with a plaque in recognition of 8 years of exemplary service to the Hispanic Community and to the state of Florida.

Henriquez is joined by all 15 Members of the Florida Hispanic Legislative Caucus which include:

Standing Left to Right: Representatives Rafael Arza, Trey Traviesa, Anitere Flores, John “Q” Quinones, Susan Bucher, David Rivera, Juan Zapata, Bob Henriquez, Rene Garcia, Speaker-Designate Marco Rubio, Marcelo Llorente, Julio Robaina, and Juan Carlos “J.C.” Planas. Kneeling Left to Right: Representatives Carlos Lopez-Cantera and Gustavo A. Barreiro. At the background podium is Speaker Alan Bense

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) is extending a special invitation to NHCSL members to nominate themselves or other qualified individuals and organizations for the Annual Regional & National Awards.

Last year, the USHCC was proud to bestow the Government Business Advocate Award to State Senator Abel Tapia of Colorado and State Representative Rick Noriega of Texas for their significant contributions to the Hispanic business community.

This year, the categories for 2006 USHCC Annual Regional & National Awards are:

  • Large Hispanic Chamber of the Year

  • Medium Hispanic Chamber of the Year

  • Small Hispanic Chamber of the Year

  • Hispanic Businessman of the Year

  • Hispanic Businesswoman of the Year

  • Government Business Advocate of the Year

  • Corporate Business Advocate of the Year

  • Sanchez to Sanchez to Smith Award

    All entries must be postmarked by June 30. For more information, please visit ushcc.com or call 202-842-1212.

Despite the fact that diabetes is not a disease that just impacts the Hispanic population, Hispanics are almost two times more likely than non-Hispanic whites to have the disease. In fact, almost 10 percent (2.5 million) of Hispanic/Latino Americans age 20 or older have been diagnosed with diabetes, more than 40 percent higher than the total population.

Read more about this in the issue brief Preventing Diabetes and Its Complications: What Works in the Hispanic Community. The brief was prepared by NHCSL as a part of its Healthy States Initiative. The issue brief can be found in the Policy Section of NHCSL’s website at www.nhcsl.org.

Learn more about the NHCSL National Summit. A Summit Review of 2005 is available at www.nhcsl.org or by calling 202-434-8070.

Healthy States' newest TrendsAlert: Costs of Chronic Disease: What Are States Facing? describes the startling

trends in health costs, chronic disease rates and Medicaid costs for these diseases. The TrendsAlert also includes descriptions of some of the most recent state policies and programs to prevent diseases and promote good health among Americans.

The Council of State Governments (CSG) released The State Official's Guide to Wellness in May 2006 at the Spring National Committee and Task Force Meeting in West Virginia. The guide provides a snapshot of the current state of health in America and gives a framework for understanding the major policy issues surrounding wellness. It also details how states have begun to use wellness initiatives to promote healthy behaviors.

Spring Quarterly of Strengthening Our Voices now available. Visit www.nhcsl.org for a copy.
 

The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) is the preeminent organization representing the interests of 300 Hispanic state legislators from all states, commonwealths, and territories of the United States. Founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)3, NHCSL is a catalyst and advocate for joint action on issues of common concern, such as health, education, immigration, homeownership and economic development to all segments of the Hispanic community. NHCSL also works to design and implement policies and procedures that will impact the quality of life for Hispanic communities; serves as a forum for information exchange and member networking; an institute for leadership training; a liaison with sister U.S. Hispanic organizations; a promoter of public/private partnerships with business and labor; and a partner with Hispanic state and provincial legislators and their associations representing Central and South America.