Mississippi’s growing Latinx population creates space to celebrate

“Latin music is just not salsa… it's not just reggaeton, it's a lot of things,” Cucho said. “Even if you don't know how to dance… don't worry about making yourself a fool because I had two left feet in high school.”

Cucho and his band are one of several performers at the event, which takes place during Hispanic Heritage Month. The observance starts in the middle of September and ends in the middle of October.

Finding a community

“As you grow older and as you move to different countries and stuff, then you want to be able to celebrate the things that kind of make you similar to other people.” said Virgilio Guardado, called "V" by his friends. He's from Honduras originally, but is now a Jackson resident and currently works as the Communications Director for the Latin American Business Association.

“Different people arrived to this country from different backgrounds and different experiences and different ways,” he said. “For me, I arrived because of education. So I invested in this country's education and that got me here and that allowed me to apply to certain visas but… not everybody is allowed to do it the same way I did it.”

The American Immigration Council estimates that 2% of Mississippi residents are immigrants, while another 2% are native-born U.S. citizens with at least one immigrant parent.

“We come here to support and to build the United States,” said Leo Roa, a contractor who moved to Jackson from Costa Rica in 2003. He says his community contributes to Mississippi through values like hard work.

“The Latin culture is very important… I will tell you the truth,” he said. “You're never gonna see an American roofer on the top. You're gonna see Latin and Hispanic people on the roof change the shingles. That's hard work.”

Working while undocumented

The American Immigration Council also found that roughly 3% of employees in Mississippi's labor force are immigrants, and over 20,000 undocumented immigrants live in the state.

Four years ago, 680 undocumented immigrants were detained by ICE in workplace-raids conducted at chicken plants across Central Mississippi. Immigrants have been detained by officers in Pearl as recent as Spring of this year.
 

The Elmore and Peterson Law Firm in Jackson specializes in Immigration Law and Civil Law for Latin Americans, and has represented individuals and families affected by those raids.

Karla Elmore works there as a paralegal and Spanish interpreter.

“I want Mississippi to know that we are here to be part of you to be part and become one more Mississippian.” she said. “I'm blessed that I'm in Mississippi because Mississippi has given me a family, has given me friends and I think Mississippi is one of the states that welcomes everyone.”

A growing population

Most recent Census data estimates the Hispanic population is the fastest-growing population in the state, and currently makes up about 3.6% of all Mississippians.

“I've been here close to 18 years and I've been seeing how the population is growing, how the support for the people, the U.S. citizens are helping the Hispanics… they’re beginning to work together.” Elmore said. “So I think little by little, we're going to become a growing population in the state.”
 

Elmore is originally from Mexico, whose independence day marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. The observation continues until October 15, recognizing the many Hispanic countries that also gained independence.

“Other countries like Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Venezuela, they continue with their own independence from the European countries,” Elmore said. “We come all together to celebrate the Heritage Month.”

While everyone at LatinFest highlighted different parts of their culture to celebrate, the consensus was that Hispanic heritage is about hope and perseverance.