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Home , Guatemala, Guatemalans, Guatemalan Americans

/ USA Fact Sheet in the

The most recent U.S. census documents the Guatemalan population at 872,000. However, the actual number is estimated to be roughly 1.6 million. Given the country of Guatemala’s population of 13.9, a full 10% of the country now lives in the U.S. This growing population of second, third, and fourth generation Guatemalan- contributes greatly to the economy, community, and cultural diversity in the United States.

Population Distribution : Population Profile Guatemalans in the U.S. According to the 2008 Census According to the 2008 Census Male: 57.7 %

Los Angeles, CA: 280,333 Female: 42.3% Born outside of U.S.: 70% , NY: 119,063 Entered U.S. before… , DC: 55,476 1990: 31.8% , MA: 45,965 1990 to 1999: 28.7

Houston, TX(IOM 2000): 43,174 2000 or later: 39.6% Average household size: 3.95 , CA: 41,508 Under 18 years: 28% , IL(2000): 13,610 Over 62 years: 3.3%

Providence, RI (2000): 13,144 Median age: 27.8 Guatemalan ethnic pride parade in High school graduates: 24.4% Palm Beach County, FL: 18,000 Chicago, IL Ethnic Percent of U.S.

population: 2.1%

Guatemalan Indigenous Communities Guatemala’s population is 50-60% indigenous and comprised of about 24 different linguistic and cultural groups. In the U.S., 8.7% of those who identify as “American Indian” are from Guatemala. (2008 Census)

U.S. cities with notable Guatemalan indigenous communities:

Providence, RI: K’iche New Bedford, MA: K’iche Arlington, VA: Mam Indiantown, FL: Q’anjob’al Chattanooga, TN: Mam & Q’anjob’al

Jupiter, FL: Popti (Jakalteko) Saluda, SC: K’iche

Los Angeles, CA: K’iche

3321 12th Street NE Washington, DC 20017-4008 Tel: (202) 529-6599 Fax: (202) 526-4611 www.ghrc-usa.org Guatemalan Organizations in the United States

There are over 300 community organizations formed by Guatemalans living in the

U.S. Focuses range from legal support to business networking to cultural enrichment.

Guatemala Unity Information Agency

Location: Los Angeles, CA Desarrollo Sostenible para Guatemala Location: Chicago, IL Mission: To provide legal and GUIA Mission: To politically and social support to the Mission: To promote economic socially inform and support the Guatemalan community development and sustainability Guatemalan community. Programs: in Guatemala by connecting Programs: Immigration: Provides communities in the U.S. and in Leadership: Training legal counseling Guatemala for organizing skills and : Programs: coalition work Health education, Immigration: Aids Civic Participation: driver’s training, immigrants in social Promotes involvement counseling transitions and education in Education: GED, Youth: Connects youth political decision- computer, and movements across making in the US and classes countries Guatemala; focuses on Historical Memory: immigration reform. Promotes knowledge of El Sol: geographic and cultural Jupiter’s Neighborhood backgrounds Organización Maya K’iche Resource Center AWAL: Mayan Folkloric Dance Group

Location: New Bedford, MA Mission: To educate, support, Location: Jupiter, FL Mission: To order to foster a and advocate for the Central strong economic and American community Programs: ethnically diverse community Research and by organizing, educating, and Location: Arlington, VA Awareness: Coordinates assisting Jupiter’s immigrant Mission: To share Maya cultural activities that advance population traditions and support their civil rights knowledge Programs: community center in and other community Labor center: Works Concepcion, Chiquirichapa, causes. with employers to . Social: Promotes meet day labor needs Events: cultural values Education: Provides Gran Dia Chapin: an Political: Responds to literacy, computer, and annual Guatemalan immigration concerns, ESL programs. festival in the DC Area such as the March 2007 Legal Services: Performances at the raid in New Bedford. Advocates for fair Smithsonian Museum of compensation of the American Indian workers