Frequently Asked Questions

"How many Latinos live in Mt. Kisco?"

About 4,000 primarily Guatemalan immigrants have come to Mt. Kisco in the last 20 years.

"Are most of them Day Workers?"

No, only 5% are Day Workers.

"Where do the rest work?"

They have daily jobs providing low cost labor for businesses and homeowners throughout the area. Most of our families live below national poverty guidelines.

"Why would they leave their homes and come here??"

Guatemalan refugees began coming here to escape persecution and death during the recent wars in their country. The resulting economy was so devastated that later immigrants followed the refugees in search of jobs, freedom and a better life in America.

"Did they attend schools in their country?"

Many had 3 years of schooling. About 35% are illiterate in their native language.

Did You Know...

The foreign born population in Westchester County is 205,429 or 22% of the total population

Latin America is the region of birth of 50% of those immigrants: 103,564

85% of families headed by noncitizens have children who are citizens

In New York, 70% of families headed by undocumented immigrants have children who are citizens

Day Workers make up less than 5% of the total immigrant population in Mt. Kisco.

A typical day laborer may get 2.5 days of work a week – that means that if monthly rent is $350, he will divide $15 per day between food, necessities, and income for his family

Many day workers pay Social Security and Income Taxes

Day workers have little to no income between November and March

The average immigrant will pay an estimated $80K more in taxes over his or her lifetime than he or she will receive in state, local and federal benefits