From predator lending to unemployment - the economy has hit one demographic especially hard.
Now new research shows Latinos are making a comeback on the job market.
Only a week and two days into his new job, Andres Ripa is already taking charge. The 25-year-old is now the program manager for the San Ysidro Business Association at the San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce.
"His job will be running our committee structure which is the backbone of the organization, that's where the work gets done,” said Jason B. Wells with the San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce.
But finding a job has not been easy for Ripa. After graduating from San Francisco State University last summer the job market has been a challenge.
"I went six months without a job I'd do random jobs here and there, it was hard living with my parents,” said Ripa.
Still, he represents a current anomaly in our economy. According to the Pew Research Center Latino employment levels have risen back up to pre-recession levels. More than any other demographic group.
The statistics show more Latinos are taking advantage of opportunities in agriculture, construction and the service industry.
One of the reasons, experts say is that many are willing to take less pay and relocate if needed.
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"I'm from Southern California originally, from Chula Vista and San Ysidro is the neighbor of Chula Vista and I figured I'd come out here and help out people, help out the community and just get experience out of it,” said Ripa.
Despite these new employment numbers, the latest Latino jobless rate of 10.5 percent, remains higher than the rest of the country's rate of 8.3 percent.
Experts say that is mainly due to the large Latino immigrant population who don't always have the education or skill level desired by many employers.
