Interview Transcript

Rogelio Valdez

A: I believe that the shift in terms of population from 1990 to 2000 is about an 80-90% increase. Currently, I believe it's approximately over 100,000 Latinos, which represents about 7.9% of the total state population, which is significantly higher than what was in 1990.

Q: What was responsible for the growth?

A: From my perspective--I believe it's a fact that we are the fastest growing minority in Idaho. I believe it is attributable to economics--to families that have remained here and their children have stayed here. Folks that come from other states to work and have found that these are good communities to stay and to raise their families. So you have a lot of second, third generation Latinos that live here year-round. I think the trend of individuals that come from other states to work in agriculture has shifted to them pursuing longer-term jobs. There are still folks that come in to do seasonal kinds of jobs: fruit-picking, harvest. A lot of those folks move on to Oregon and Washington; they follow the crops in other words, so that I believe is another trend. We have a lot of small businesses that have blossomed. I was looking at this Hispanic Business Association directory and I found over 300 businesses listed, which is amazing, that's statewide. So folks are opening up their own business. If you go to a small community like Caldwell, there are restaurants, there are smaller vendors, go down 6th and Main and you will see a taco truck, for lack of a better word. So that is a trend in itself. You see Latinos working in the service industry, restaurants, fast foods, hotels, motels, school districts, everywhere. So a lot of it has to do with economics.

Q: Is there a difference between how past immigrants moved into Idaho and then rose versus Latinos moving in?

A: Historically, we need to understand that parts of the West were Mexican territories not that long ago, so it's not that we've all of a sudden emerged and came over. We've been here back as far as before we knew of California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Colorado. Folks have been here. Latinos have been here. We continue to grow. I think that it is question of that we are growing in numbers. It's not necessarily folks that are coming in from south Texas or California, but it's the folks that have been here for many, many years that their families have continued to stay and they've grown. So I think that that has an impact on the numbers. Also immigration of course, folks that come in from other parts, from Mexico; I think that is a factor that significantly has increased the numbers, because I think that if you go to the communities, you will see families that were not here in the 60's or the 70's. They have been here since, for instance in the 80's, there was the Immigration Reform Act that gave legalization to agricultural workers and others, so that had another impact. So on one hand, Latinos historically have been here, but I think there are other factors that have impacted the numbers. Of course immigration is one, and the other one I think is that we are just growing, the families have grown.

Q: What's the impact of that growth on Idaho?

A: I think it is a positive impact in terms of diversity and economics. If you go to Albertsons, Winco, Walmart, there is an increase in items and food products that cater to the Latino community. And that says a lot. Staff that work in those places, that are are bilingual, they continually seek to hire and promote bilingual staff, so that in itself is a factor or impact on the communities.

Q: Ho do you see the trend continuing in terms of Latino growth in the West?

A: Well, I think that it will continue to grow. I haven't seen the latest data from the census in terms of 20 years from now, 10 years, 5 years from now, but I don't see a reason that Latinos will not continue to increase in numbers. I think opportunities are here; these are good communities to stay and Oregon and Washington, I am sure they have increases also in terms of their population. It is interesting that I was looking at some of the county numbers: Ada County has about a 4.5% rate of Latinos, Canyon County has over 18% Latinos, Twin Falls County, which also is a pretty significant area where Latinos are is about 6-7% and even up as far as Bonner County, there is a significant population of Latinos, so it's pretty much statewide.

Q: Sociologists say that when a population hits about 24-26%, that's a critical mass. We are heading that direction really soon and definitely some counties are already there. What does that change mean for Idaho hitting that critical mass?

A: I think that it means a lot more, or at least a focus on the Latino community in terms of their economic vitality and their economic power that they bring. Politically, it is a significant number because you go from a non sort of community that isn't really catered to politically or economically, to one that people have to realize and say it's to our benefit, it's to the state's benefit that we include those individuals in that community in formulating policy, and participation in the political process, and relying on them in terms of how they can enrich not only communities at the local level, but statewide. We bring culture, we bring a lot of attributes that are positive, a good work ethic. We bring strong family values, and so those things I think overall benefit all of us.

Q: What are the trends for Latino employment?

A: In terms of employment, a few years ago when you talked about Latinos or Hispanics, people of Mexican descent, you basically looked at agricultural workers. I think the majority of workers that work in agriculture are still Latinos or Hispanics, but I believe that many Latinos are, of course, looking for other employment, which is longer-term employment. I think that education is a real critical piece. I think that families where you have older folks that may not have had the education, they may still work in agriculture or industrial kinds of jobs, but I think that their kids are moving towards technology, high tech jobs, professional jobs, state employment, county employment, and federal employment because it has to do with improving individuals, but also the community in general. So I think that in terms of employment trends, it's more than just agriculture and it will continue to concentrate in industry, service industries, jobs where they are longer term and little bit higher-paying jobs.

Q: Is the Hispanic community an economic force to be reckoned with here in Idaho?

A: I believe so. All indications speak to the Latino community as economic force. We have buying power. We are a young community, and second, third generation Latinos are moving towards higher-paying jobs, and so we are an economic force. I think that businesses will continue to look at Latinos and the Hispanic community for purchasing. I think it is reality; based on the population numbers, it is pretty hard not to say that.

Q: Why don't you give me some of the hard numbers we are looking at. What are we seeing in terms of these numbers we are looking at. You are looking at over 100,000 in population here in Idaho, is this based on the current census?

A: Yes, that is basically from the 2000 census--demographic characteristics of the population. It is almost 8% and that's pretty significant. In terms of counties, like I said, there are some county numbers but probably, obviously counties like Canyon County, Twin Falls, Mini-Cassia because they are highly agricultural, I think that's why you have a large number. But I think that is changing, because if you look at Ada County and you look at 4.5%, well that might not be a significant number but it is, if you think about it, Ada County is pretty urban, so that is another trend. I think that you still see that the highest numbers will be in those rural communities, because we're a rural state. But I think that that is changing: Idaho Falls, Pocatello and those areas are all growing in numbers.

Q: Why should we open up discussions between the Angelo and Hispanic communities?

A: Well, I think that it's more than numbers. I think that you can look at numbers and you can see increases and make some assumptions on that. I think historically, attitudes and perceptions are changing also and that's important; it's not only just economics. That is big part, but I think that the fact that the non-Latino community does look at us and is thirsty to find out who we are, what we do, what can we bring and many of us participate in a whole broad range of things, and it's not just because you are a Latino, at least we hope not, but because we do bring a different perspective or maybe an added perspective that can benefit the community. I sit on several boards: on the Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho board, I sit on the Canyon County fair board, which is sort of strange, because I am sitting there with folks that are in Ag, in 4H and FFA, something that I wasn't in, but yet that event is supposed to be reflective of the community. The community is growing, it's more diverse and I think that's important for us to consider when we are talking about the Latino community and the trends. The other thing I was going to say in terms of work force issues is I was sort of making a list of people that I know that are Latino and where they are employed. You have an Appellate judge, Sergio Gutierrez; you have attorneys that have been practicing for many, many years. You have Ernie Sanchez, Sam Chavez in Caldwell, we have younger lawyers like Natalie Comacho, we have Raul Labrador who works for Senator Craig, I believe. In state government, we have J.R Sandoval who is a deputy director at DEQ, I am the deputy administrator here at the Department of Labor, we have directors of non-profits: Sam Byrd, we have real estate agents: Rudy Rodriguez up in Caldwell, we have nurses, doctors: Dr. Aguilar in Nampa, he is my kids' pediatrician, we have teachers and that is just in this area. There are folks, Dr. Gonzalez at BSU is a sociologist, I think that we are represented everywhere in the universities and all kinds of places. My brother, a businessman for over 25 years, former farm worker has a multi-million dollar tortilla manufacturing business and that is just a few examples. I think that that is significant.

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