Workforce Language Services

According to the Migration Policy Institute, Tennessee had the third-highest increase in foreign-born population in the first few years of the 21st century, over half hailing from Latin America.

An article in The Daily Times points out the positive aspects of this population growth as well as some of the growing pains.  Most notably is the shift in the level of work Latinos have accessed.  Latinos make up the majority of workers in the construction field, and have transitioned from mainly doing grunt work to holding positions in the skilled trades.

Despite the pull of Tennessee’s temperate climate and readily available jobs, life hasn’t been all roses and puppy dogs for some Latinos:

Mares said, however, that some Blount Countians still don’t welcome Hispanics.
“My children have had a very dark, cold experience here in Blount County,” said Mares, a member of the Anti-Racism Task Force and a founder of the Strength in Diversity Group. “I would estimate that roughly 60 percent of our experience has been bad and 40 percent of it has been good.”

He said the Hispanic community is growing in Blount County because of the readily available jobs for immigrants. The mild climate, beautiful scenery and cost of living are “benefits,” according to Mares, but work is the primary draw.

“We need programs that will educate each other about our cultures — it could mend many fences, maybe even eliminate some of the fences,” he said. “I do see some positive things happening here, particularly in the schools. There are people who are trying to make things better.”