Although every person who moves to a new place has a unique rationale, there are three main reasons why Latinos tend to settle in Wisconsin:
Economic Opportunity
Familial Ties
Existing Latino Communities
Economic Opportunity
Familial Ties
Existing Latino Communities
Members of the Latino community decide to settle in Wisconsin for a myriad of reasons. Most frequently, Latinos come to Wisconsin for economic gain. This was seen specifically during the time in which the Bracero Program was ongoing, when many Latinos, primarily Mexicans, came to Wisconsin to work on farms.[1] When the Bracero Program was terminated in 1964, some Latinos returned to their home country, but many formed neighborhoods in Wisconsin, specifically in Milwaukee.[2] Urban areas within Wisconsin were especially appealing to Latinos because factories, railroad intersections, and other forms of industrial work were available.[3] Puerto Ricans, in particular, came to Wisconsin for its industrial promises and settled in the areas of Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha.[4]
Following the settlement in urban areas in Wisconsin, many Latino wives immigrated to Wisconsin to move their families closer to their husbands who had immigrated to Wisconsin before them either to work on Wisconsin farms or in Wisconsin industrial plants. Latino families have transgressed into third, fourth, and fifth generations since the earliest Latinos moved to Wisconsin.
The establishment of Latino neighborhoods in urban hubs attracted more people, as many Latinos had the desire to be near people and communities that resembled towns they were used to either in countries abroad or other Latino-dominated areas in the United States. [5] Today, Milwaukee's South Side is home to the highest percentage of Milwaukee Latinos. Many Latinx stores, restaurants, and cultural sites have been established on Milwaukee's South Side that exemplify the persistence, uniqueness, and beauty of the Latinx culture.
Though Milwaukee’s Latino community isn’t growing as quickly as in other metropolitan cities such as New York, Miami, or Houston, Latinos in Milwaukee make up the second largest minority group (behind African-Americans) in Wisconsin and are the fastest growing minority group in Wisconsin. According to Ricardo Diaz, the Executive Director of the United Community Center, “Milwaukee is going to go as far as the Hispanic community is going to take it” [6]
Following the settlement in urban areas in Wisconsin, many Latino wives immigrated to Wisconsin to move their families closer to their husbands who had immigrated to Wisconsin before them either to work on Wisconsin farms or in Wisconsin industrial plants. Latino families have transgressed into third, fourth, and fifth generations since the earliest Latinos moved to Wisconsin.
The establishment of Latino neighborhoods in urban hubs attracted more people, as many Latinos had the desire to be near people and communities that resembled towns they were used to either in countries abroad or other Latino-dominated areas in the United States. [5] Today, Milwaukee's South Side is home to the highest percentage of Milwaukee Latinos. Many Latinx stores, restaurants, and cultural sites have been established on Milwaukee's South Side that exemplify the persistence, uniqueness, and beauty of the Latinx culture.
Though Milwaukee’s Latino community isn’t growing as quickly as in other metropolitan cities such as New York, Miami, or Houston, Latinos in Milwaukee make up the second largest minority group (behind African-Americans) in Wisconsin and are the fastest growing minority group in Wisconsin. According to Ricardo Diaz, the Executive Director of the United Community Center, “Milwaukee is going to go as far as the Hispanic community is going to take it” [6]
[1] “Hispanic/Latinos in Wisconsin: History.” Wisconsin Department of Health Services, September 10, 2018.
[2] Fenton, Agnes M. The Mexicans in the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Milwaukee, WI: Y.W.C.A. International Institute, 1930.
[3] Ibid.
[4] “20th-Century Immigration.” Wisconsin Historical Society , 2019.
[5] “Hispanic/Latinos in Wisconsin: History.” Wisconsin Department of Health Services, September 10, 2018.
[6] Dave Fidlin, How Hispanics are Changing Milwaukee, (Urban Milwaukee), 2017
[2] Fenton, Agnes M. The Mexicans in the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Milwaukee, WI: Y.W.C.A. International Institute, 1930.
[3] Ibid.
[4] “20th-Century Immigration.” Wisconsin Historical Society , 2019.
[5] “Hispanic/Latinos in Wisconsin: History.” Wisconsin Department of Health Services, September 10, 2018.
[6] Dave Fidlin, How Hispanics are Changing Milwaukee, (Urban Milwaukee), 2017