NATIONWIDE LATINO LEGISLATIVE LEADERS CONVENE IN CT TO FOCUS ON IMMIGRATION POLICY

Board of Latino Legislative Leaders (BLLL) Summer Meeting. Nationwide, democratic leaders gathered at Governor Lamont's residence on Thursday evening. Photo: Boceto Media.

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More than 40 Latino state legislators from across the country gathered at the Connecticut Governor’s Residence on Thursday evening for the opening of a national policy convening hosted by the Board of Latino Legislative Leaders (BLLL).

The Board of Latino Legislative Leaders is a nonpartisan national nonprofit that supports Latino state lawmakers and promotes policies focused on immigration, education, health care, and economic opportunity.

The lawmakers, representing states including Hawaii, Kansas, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, and others, were welcomed by Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, and State Rep. Chris Rosario, who serves as co-chair of the BLLL.

The multi-day gathering brings together Latino legislators to share strategies and shape a unified national agenda. While delegates discussed a wide range of priorities, such as education, health care, and economic opportunity, immigration remained the central focus of the meeting.

“We definitely need to come together for our community,” said Texas State Rep. Monica De La Cruz, a BLLL board member. “These convenings are critical.”

BLLL members say it’s important to regularly discuss the rapidly growing Latino population and its economic impact in order to develop laws that effectively support this expanding community.

CT Rep. James Sánchez and TX Rep Mónica De La Cruz, at the BLLL welcoming event at Governor Lamont's mansion in Hartford. Photo: Boceto Media.

According to Neilsberg Research, about 63 million people in the U.S. identify as Hispanic or Latino, representing nearly 19% of the total U.S. population. The largest subgroup, people of Mexican origin, accounts for 37.4 million, or about 59% of all Hispanics or Latinos nationwide.

It’s important to understand that “Hispanic or Latino” refers to ethnicity, not race, so individuals who identify as Latino can be of any race, including Black, White, or Indigenous.

Latinos are an increasingly vital part of the U.S. economy. Business Wire reports the U.S. Latino economy is now valued at $4 trillion and growing at an average real growth rate of 4.4% annually. This makes it the second-fastest growing economy among the world’s ten largest, trailing only China and matching the pace of India.

In 2023, Latinos in the U.S. helped grow the economy in big ways. The manufacturing industry led the way, adding $547 billion, growing 15.5% from the year before, faster than the national average. Real estate and rentals brought in $340 billion, with a huge 23.5% jump. Government jobs, or public administration, added $448 billion. Other major areas where Latinos made a strong impact included health care, social work, science, technology, and the arts.

Gov. Lamont emphasized the importance of inclusion and bipartisan cooperation, telling lawmakers, “it's a pretty complex time right now. I'm working my heart out every day to make sure that people of Connecticut know you are welcome. We want you here. I want people to know that we're out there looking for you.

Speaker Matt Ritter highlighted Connecticut’s growing ties to Latino communities, referencing the newly launched Connecticut-Puerto Rico Trade Commission and the state’s long-standing connection with the Island.

TX Rep. Mónica De La Cruz and CT Rep. Chris Rosario during the opening welcome for BLLL members at Governor Lamont's mansion. Photo: Boceto Media.

According to Neilsberg Research, in the United States, about 63 million people say they are Hispanic or Latino. That means almost 1 out of every 5 people in the country has roots in places like Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, or other Latin American countries.

Out of all those Hispanic or Latino people, the biggest group is Mexican. Around 37 million people in the U.S. are of Mexican background, which means that more than half of all Hispanic or Latino people in the country are Mexican.

Rep. Chris Rosario, who helped bring the national delegation to Hartford, said the BLLL's mission is more urgent than ever. “The best way to sustain democracy is through connection and growth, and that’s what these days are about. We’re going to embrace that,” Rosario said.

The convening continues through Friday with panels, strategy sessions, and networking events.