Latinos represent the fastest growing population in the United States, and they are the leading edge of a demographic change transforming the U.S. into a “majority minority” country. Their influence upon the direction of national political, cultural, and economic trends, and many other issues, continues to grow. Recognizing the dynamic role of Latinos in U.S. public life, American University’s Annual Latino Public Affairs Forum (ALPAF) convenes scholars, advocates, policy professionals, journalists, students, and other stakeholders, to address key questions and topics of concern for Latino communities across the country.

Latinos have accounted for half of U.S. population growth since 2000, increasing 51% between 2000 and 2017. As of 2017, 18.1% of the country, or 58.6 million people, identified as Latino. By 2060, the number of Latinos is projected to grow 115% to 119 million, comprising 29% of the nation’s population. Understanding the expanding importance of Latinos in American society is thus a key dimension in addressing the country’s present and future.

Held in the Nation’s Capital, ALPAF connects the findings of academic research with the efforts of stakeholders to illuminate the role of Latinos in American society and to enrich Latino lives. Each year the Forum focuses on a significant public policy issue that is both impacted by and important to Latino communities in the U.S.