A survey just released by the Inter-American Development Bank found that the percentage of immigrants who report sending remittances to their country of origin has dropped to half in early 2008 compared with 73% two years ago, even though migrants continue to flock to the U.S.

In addition, the Central Bank of Mexico reported that remittances from the U.S. dropped 2.9% for the first three months of the year compared with the first quarter of 2007.

The findings by the Inter-American Development Bank marked the first decline in the number of immigrants sending money home since the institution began tracking them eight years ago.

Artist and 2008 NSHP sponsor, Elizabeth Baez, has built her image and name through her paintings. Stepping into the scene eight years ago, Ms. Baez has made 2008 an important year in her artistic history. In December of 2007, Bank of America asked this painter to carry out a work that represented the Puerto Rican essence, which was delivered in a gala March 2008, in the Island of Enchantment, Puerto Rico.

The U.S. Hispanic population increased 1.4 million to reach 45.5 million on July 1, 2007, or 15.1 percent of the estimated total U.S. population of 301.6 million. National and state estimates by race, Hispanic origin, sex and age released today by the U.S. Census Bureau also show that the Hispanic population exceeded 500,000 in 16 states.

Hispanics remained the largest minority group, with blacks (single race or multiracial) second at 40.7 million in 2007. The black population exceeded 500,000 in 20 states. Blacks were the largest minority group in 24 states, compared with 20 states in which Hispanics were the largest minority group.

H&R Block marketers recently tasked an ad agency to help their company target Spanish dominant Latinos with television, out of home and radio ads. By doing so the company hopes to position themselves among one of the largest minority groups in the country. The idea behind this new move was to establish the tax company as an expert and advocate for Spanish speaking Hispanic taxpayers. Although H&R Block has had Hispanic initiatives for the past 10 years, the market has become an increasing priority and focus in recent years.

On April 24th, NSHP hosted our first Job Fair of the year in NYC. The event was held at the Metropolitan Pavilion from 10 am to 3 pm and more than 1200 candidates were there. With over 30 employers and exhibitors attending, job seekers had the opportunity to interview with top companies seeking diversity and bilingual candidates for hundreds of professional positions.

Redondo Beach, CA - April 8, 2008 --The Latino Speakers Bureau announced that the independent documentary film "The Motivator: The Business of Selling Hope", will premiere on April 24th at the Rincon International Film Festival in Rincon, Puerto Rico. For this film, Hispanic motivational speaker Victor Antonio G. and filmmaker Dan Perez teamed up for a "behind the scenes" look at the business of professional speaking and overcoming adversity.

By Raul Ramos y Sanchez

Dubbed the “Reconquista Ad” in nativist circles, an advertising campaign run only in Mexico by vodka maker Absolut has touched off a storm of outrage among far-right fringe groups in the United States. Under the headline “In an Absolut world,” the ad depicts a map of North America with the borders drawn much as they were before the Mexican-American War of 1840 when Mexico governed large tracts of territory now part of the USA. The idea behind the ad campaign is that an “Absolut world” is a perfect world.

Ten volunteers and staff members of the Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA were guests of FOX Studios for the premier of the film “Under The Same Moon” (La Misma Luna). This story opens with a scene shot just a few blocks away from the East Los Angeles facility and is a story of families separated by life and the journey of a young boy across the border to reunite with his mother who is working in the U.S.

Executive Director, Ruben said, “Inviting families of the YMCA see “Under the Same Moon”, a movie that is culturally tied to our immigrant roots created a wonderful evening for our staff.”