Posted on 03/04/2007 12:30:22 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
DORAL, Fla. (AP) — They call it "Plan B."
As Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez further tightens control of the South American country's economy, wealthy Venezuelans who once thought they could live with his socialist edicts are turning to their backup plan — flight to the United States, particularly Florida.
Venezuelans have long gobbled up condos and pre-construction deals in Florida as investments, but the latest buyers want homes where they can live and business properties that will help them earn a green card.
"First the people who come are the businessmen in the highest circles, then the losing politicians, then the military and then the professionals," said Miami-based immigration attorney Oscar Levin. "You're beginning to see the (Venezuelan) professionals."
This latest and largest potential group of emigrants say they fear the effect Chavez's socialist policies will have on the economy and on proposed educational reforms that could mirror the ideologically imbued education of Chavez ally and mentor, Cuba's Fidel Castro.
"There is so much insecurity, political insecurity, economic insecurity," said Venezuelan Miguel Medina, a business executive who moved to the Miami in August. "You don't know if a contract you signed today will be honored by the government in the future....This was definitely my plan B, but it was time to do the plan B."
(Excerpt) Read more at money.iwon.com ...
ping.
Judging from Miami being referred to as the capital of Latin America, and the number of telenovelas set in the city, south Florida seems to have reached saturation point with Spanish-users. Time for the city to "digest" its Latino immigrants until the use of English becomes the primary language in the entire city.
That liberal columnist Leonard Pitts of the "Herald" is going to have a new group to complain about. The Cubans have brought a lot of problems to Miami according to a recent column.
He doesn't like the Cuban-Americans and came to my hometown yesterday to speak about racism. Look in the mirror, Mr. Pitts.
"Time for the city to "digest" its Latino immigrants until the use of English becomes the primary language in the entire city."
come up with a legal method to prevent people from moving here (US residents or legal immigrants just entering the US), and give it 20-30 years and it might be doable. most of the children I have seen born to 2(native speaker) latin parents do not learn proper spanish, in part from parental choice on language priority, so each generation born here is likely to lose some spanish, and by 2 generations it should be nearly gone in the bulk of the population. The issue as you clearly note is new immigration.
Unfortunately its status as the latin capital of the US makes it a magnet, as this article notes.
'Cuban-Americans '
Thus the problem. Too bad they aren't just Americans. Too many hyphens these days.
I know that the 1st and even 2nd generation Cubans fully intend(ed) to return to Cuba after the Castro regime finally dies, but how about the present generation?
Like someone mentioned above, by 3rd generation, usually no one speaks spanish unless they learn it at school as a foreign language..
Have you found this to be the case for the cuban community as well ??
The people mentioned in this article are the type of people we should welcome to our Country. What is wrong with you people?
The St. Pete Times had an article last week about how 911 regulations were hurting the Florida economy. South Americans have been taking/moving their assets to Europe to avoid the hassle.
I've read the same (or similar) article.
That will neve happen.
South Florida has more Spanish speakers than any other language set.
the Last time I looked, there were something like 700,000 CUBANS in the Greater Miami Area. CUBANs ONLY. Add to that all the rest, you're probably looking at something like 2.5 Million Spanish as a primary language population
My son has brought several of his old college friends over to visit me that are from Venezuela. Their family is wealthy in that country. These guys are the funniest, warmest and kindest young men I have met in a long time. They treat me like i was their Mom. They live in the states now. They are the type immigrants we should be proud of.
I am glad someone is saying this. Our elitists dream of the day they will be the only privileged; however; it won't turn out that way.
Exactly!
Their family is somewhat in danger there now. Their Dad is still there and was sick. They go back at their own peril these days. If people could just know them..Adorable, smart, they speak English and I am nuts about them.
bttt
Hear, hear!!! And we should force all the DUmmies who think Chavez is a hero to move to Venezuela.
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