The 2000 Census estimated that the total foreign born population from Latin America to be 32,099 out of 137,205 or just under a quarter of the total foreign born population. The largest foreign-born communities are from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Cuba, and Colombia. However, this alone does not describe the Latino population of Philadelphia. There are an estimated 91,572 Puerto Ricans living in Philadelphia, giving Philadelphia the 3rd largest Puerto Rican population outside of Puerto Rico. Though Puerto Ricans are not immigrants under law, the Puerto Rican communities often experience many of the same cultural and linguistic challenges that immigrant populations do.

The Latino population of Philadelphia is largely Caribbean, with Dominican, Cuban, and Puerto Rican people dominating the community. Many of these people immigrated to the United States in the 1970's when their homelands were experiencing political and economic troubles. However, the two largest groups of Latino immigrants in Philadelphia are Mexican and Cuban. Much of the Latino population of Philadelphia is made up of secondary migrants; many come from the larger communities in New York seeking safer neighborhoods and jobs.

With any immigrant population, the Latino population in Philadelphia is a mixed group and includes people of all economic and educational backgrounds. They may have some literacy in their native language, but many lack even basic literacy skills in English. In general, the majority of elder Puerto Ricans came as "children followers," moving here to be with family. From other locales, the patterns of migration vary from country to country. Many immigrants have come to escape political or economic turmoil in their home country, while others have followed family who came here for economic or educational reasons before them.

Latinos in Philadelphia have an array of social services available to them. The Latino people make some great contributions to the city of Philadelphia, and at times could use some support. One organization that supports this community is Congreso de Latinos Unidos. Congreso offers a broad range of services including the first Latina domestic violence program, as well as HIV prevention and case management services. Congreso is strengthening the Puerto Rican (and otherwise Latino) community in part because of partnerships with government agencies, health providers, labor organizations, businesses, and other community-based institutions. The Lighthouse is another organization that supports the Latino community in Philadelphia. This group has been serving the multicultural population of Philadelphia since the late 1800's. It provides services such as day care, before - and after - school care, and a food share program, educational, occupational, cultural, and recreational programs, an Adult Educational Program & ESL, an Economic Development Program, a Teen Parenting Education and Employment Program, and a Young Parenting Fathers Program.

The World Fact Book
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
This CIA website contains an extremely large amount of information about all of the countries in the world such as: history, geography, information about its citizens, government, economy, transnational issues, and more. To find out information about any of these native countries, pull it down from the menu.

Centro Nueva Creación
http://www.centronueva.org/
Centro Nueva Creación's website has information on its programs, has relevant news, the organization's history, and more.

"Latinos in the United States: Where Are We From?"
http://www.nahj.org/resourceguide/chapter_3.html
This website was created by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. This section of the website contains information on various Latin American countries, and why their citizens have moved to the US.