State report highlights need for more access to services for local Hispanics

Language barriers and a distrust of government and law enforcement are preventing many local Hispanics from getting needed health care, education and job training services, according to a report by the S.C. Commission for Minority Affairs.



Hispanics are the fastest growing minority group in Beaufort County and the largest in Bluffton.



The report -- which focuses on Hispanic populations in Beaufort, Hampton and Jasper counties -- is based on analysis of data and discussions with community leaders at a forum held last year in Hilton Head Island. 



The commission's "job is figure out what is driving poverty and deprivation (of services) and the impacts that is having on minority populations, said commission executive director Thomas Smith said last week during a meeting at the Hilton Head headquarters of La Isla Magazine, a local Spanish-language magazine. "And then (our job) is to figure out what it is we can do about it."



The commission identified five major areas where Lowcountry Hispanics face particular challenges in getting those services: 



- health



- government, public safety and law enforcement



- immigration



- education



- business development 







POPULATION BOOM



In Beaufort County, the Hispanics make up nearly 12 percent of the population, almost double the figure recorded in 2000, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. 



In some parts of the county such as Bluffton, that percentage is significantly higher -- 18.7 percent of the population.



But according to commission researcher Ben Washington, census data has historically "grossly understated" the Hispanic population.



According to the commission, statewide research suggests "that (South Carolina has) three times the number" of Hispanic residents -- a discrepancy attributed by the report largely to the community's hesitation "to fill out the Census or share information."



The commission's original "mission was primarily for (studying issues affecting) African Americans," but the recent population boom prompted the agency to reach out more aggressively to Hispanic communities, Smith said. 







BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS



Eric Esquivel, publisher of La Isla Magazine and co-chairman of the local advocacy group Lowcountry Immigration Coalition, worked with the commission to organize the forum and generate the report. 



For years, he said, state agencies and lawmakers focused "on how to make it harder on these people."



But more interaction between local groups and state agencies such as the commission is a positive step toward helping the county's Hispanic community to "step out of the shadows," Esquivel said Thursday.



For a variety of reasons -- immigration status and fear of deportation among them -- the local Hispanic community has hesitated to get involved with local governments and law enforcement agencies, according to the report. 



And "despite current programs readily available" to help, "fear and mistrust" can keep people from seeking assistance, the report says.



The commission recommends "actively recruiting ... talent from Hispanic communities" as one way of increasing trust. 



"Your government and police forces and everything should mirror your population," Esquivel said.



More Spanish-speaking staff -- whether working in local schools, government offices, hospitals or law enforcement agencies -- would help address virtually all the challenges, according to the report.



Lowcountry Immigration Coalition co-chairman George Kanuck said Thursday that Beaufort County organizations are "making some steps to do this."



"The local school systems and governments ... are moving in (the) direction (of recruiting more Spanish speakers)," he said "But we need a redoubled effort ... to assist in bringing together the resources necessary to get relief from the challenges mentioned in the report."

Beaufort County 2014 Demographics estimates

Follow reporter Lucas High on Twitter at twitter.com/IPBG_Lucas.

Related content:

• Hispanics become Bluffton's largest minority group, Dec. 16, 2015
• Beaufort County board diversity: Close on ethnicity, not enough women, Dec. 8, 2015

This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 10:11 AM with the headline "State report highlights need for more access to services for local Hispanics."