Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Cubans, Central Americans, and South Americans, all so-called "Hispanics," or "Latinos," have brought their working hands and all of their skills and talents to the United States. They have come from many places to become the United States' fastest growing minority group. By the 1990 Census, Hispanics were living in many parts of the country. Like other immigrant workers, they have been significant producers in national industrialization. Today, they are crucial for the future of the United States' cities. How vital Latinos are to the nation's existence is detailed in two chapters that concentrate on their roles as farm workers and as health care providers. A subsequent chapter explores Hispanic participation in the labor movement. Of particular interest is a chapter on schools, focusing on the struggle for equal educational opportunity and the controversy about bilingual education. Years of stereotyping have resulted in reduced expectations for Hispanic children and have placed many obstacles in their way. Nevertheless, Hispanics are maintaining their impressive tradition of fighting to improve the United States' educational system. Chapter 5 explores the roles of Hispanics in the professions, politics, business, and the arts, and Chapter 6 discusses the civil rights Hispanics still struggle to obtain. (Contains 56 references.) (SLD)