America’s strong entrepreneurial tradition has been, for many, the pathway to the American dream. This is particularly true for many of the nation’s Hispanic immigrants and descendants who have been an integral part of the present-day U.S. entrepreneurial economy.

The LIBRE Institute (LIBRE), a 501c3 nonpartisan and nonprofit organization that raises public awareness, provides empowerment resources, and serves as a source of information on the most pressing economic issues of our time, primarily to the U.S. Hispanic community, will host the Southwest Business Summit: Strategies for Economic Prosperity on May 18th and 19th in Albuquerque, NM.

Does immigration harm our economy? Should we prevent additional job-seekers from crossing our borders? Do immigrants compete with Americans for jobs? The United States has a long and rich history of immigration, and questions like those above have perennially dogged supporters of the immigrants who wish to come to our country in search of opportunity.

Despite the promises of “stimulus” spending, low interest rates, and the trillions of dollars added to our debt, the U.S. economy has barely improved and Hispanics are suffering because of it.

For many, home ownership is a symbol of the American Dream. It’s a safe investment during uncertain economic times, a long-term retirement asset, a shelter to your family, and access to good schools. But these days the path to the American Dream has become more difficult to follow.

A quality education is key to achieving the American Dream, and Latina women are increasingly taking charge of their own destiny. Lower educational attainment can be an obstacle in many areas of life, leading to lower employment, higher poverty rates, and lower income, which underscores the importance of education to the wellbeing of the Hispanic community.

This Sunday, February the 15th, the Open Enrolment period for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act for 2015 will draw to a close. Despite massive pushes by the Obama administration to boost Hispanic enrollment, the Hispanic community has largely avoided participation in the controversial healthcare program.

When Hispanic families are empowered to choose the best education for their children, their children succeed. In this chart from the LIBRE Institute, we analyzed the increase in the number of students meeting academic standards in charter schools compared to public schools in communities across the US.

The U.S. Hispanic population is on the rise and its impact on American politics is growing. Beyond the traditional states of Arizona, California, Florida, New Mexico, and Texas, the Hispanic electorate is poised to make significant impacts on elections in other states with high Hispanic population growth – such as North Carolina, Colorado, Illinois, and Alaska.