re: it sounds like this is an area that's ready to vote conservative!
Check out the poll of the Latino Coalition (a group formed to counter LaRaza, Atzlan, etc). That poll shows Latinos are conservative on most (with one exception) social and economic issues.
But they see the Republicans as "unfriendly" and "out of touch" with Latinos. This is because the image of Republicans on this issue is dominated by Republicans who come accross mean-spirited in the tradition of Pete Wilson.
Check out how many Freepers in these chats come accross "mean spirited".
That's because most republicans don't get all warm and fuzzy over illegals or cheap labor subsidies, over-crowded schools and hospitals, and higher taxes.