<p>Just to clarify a point - descent from any spanish speaking country, including SPAIN is definitely part of the definition of HISPANIC - for both the US Census and the college oriented National Hispanic Recognition Program (copied below).</p>
<p>Portugal is not included in those definitions.</p>
<p>European background does not make someone less Hispanic - Spain is included in virtually every definition I have ever seen of Hispanic for these purposes. </p>
<p>What is the NHRP’s definition of Hispanic/Latino?
To qualify for this program, you must be at least one-quarter Hispanic/Latino. Hispanic/Latino is an ethnic category, not a racial category; you may be of any race. For purposes of the NHRP, you must be from a family whose ancestors came from at least one of these countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay or Venezuela.</p>