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  • There’s a gap between how Latinos are often portrayed

    and who we actually are.

    Outdated stereotypes still shape the way people see us, leaving out the real stories of our creativity, hard work, and impact in every part of society.

    This disconnect creates confusion and misinformation, especially when decisions are made based on assumptions instead of facts. It's time to elevate the real narrative, one that reflects the drive and everyday contributions of Latinos across the country.

  • MYTH 1

    Latinos don’t work, they’re lazy.

    ¡REALITY!

    Latinos have the highest

    labor force participation rate among

    all ethnic groups at 69%.

    MYTH 2

    Latinos are criminals.

    ¡REALITY!

    Hispanics represent 20% of the U.S. population but only 13.7%

    of violent crime offenders, underrepresented by -32%

    relative to their population share.

    MYTH 3

    All Latinos are immigrants.

    ¡REALITY!

    90% of U.S. Latinos are

    here lawfully:

    81% are U.S. citizens, and

    9% more lawful residents.

    MYTH 4

    Latinos don’t pay taxes.

    ¡REALITY!

    Latinos pay billions of dollars

    in taxes; even more

    considering the 13%

    that are undocumented

    and never benefit from

    those taxes.

    MYTH 5

    Latinas only belong in the kitchen.

    ¡REALITY!

    Latina-owned businesses are

    growing at an impressive 6.3% compound annual growth rate, significantly outpacing

    White female-owned businesses

    at 3.9%.

    MYTH 6

    Latinos only belong in low-paying jobs.

    ¡REALITY!

    In 2021, nearly 2.5 million Latinos in the U.S. held advanced degrees—up from 710,000 in 2000—with 72% (1.8 million) holding a master’s degree. This marks the fastest growth in advanced degrees of any racial or ethnic group, including a 291% increase among Latina women and 199% among Latino men.

  • MYTH

    Latinos are Takers

    ¡REALITY!

    Of the 41 million people receiving benefits from the

    Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNSP),

    Hispanic individuals make up just 15% of recipients.

    In comparison, White individuals account for approximately

    35% African Americans 26%, Asians 4%

    and Native Americans around 2%.

    Additionally, about 18% are classified as "race unknown".

    Source:

    Food Research and Action Center

    MYTH

    Latinos are lazy

    ¡REALITY!

    Latinos have created a

    GDP of $4 trillion and will account for

    78% of new workers in the next ten years.

  • MYTH

    All Latinos are undocumented

    ¡REALITY!

    13% of Latinos do not have legal status meaning the

    vast majority do.

    And 94% of young Latinos under the age of 18

    were born in the United States

    and are thus American citizens.

    MYTH

    Latinos only work unskilled labor jobs

    ¡REALITY!

    More and more Latinos are becoming engineers - countering

    the imminent shortage in the engineer workforce.

    And Latinos are entrepreneurs with 62% of Latinos

    under the age of 34 saying starting/owning a business

    is a top priority.

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