Hispanic numbers in Oklahoma

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Oklahoma Hispanic leaders believe there are thousands more Hispanics in the state than the federal government thinks. <br><br>The US Census Bureau says 192,769 Hispanics lived in

Monday, January 12th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Oklahoma Hispanic leaders believe there are thousands more Hispanics in the state than the federal government thinks.

The US Census Bureau says 192,769 Hispanics lived in Oklahoma as of July 1st, 2002.

But Luisa Gomez, director of marketing and economic development for the South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, says twice as many may be in the state.

Gomez says many Hispanics are undocumented seasonal workers who may live 20 to an apartment and weren't likely to admit it to census workers three years ago.

Juanita Salazar Lamb, a member of the Governor's Task Force on Hispanic and Latin American Affairs, says there are 25% to 50% more Hispanics than census figures say.