From language barriers, to competition for jobs, many Hispanics we spoke to say they're working for a better life in the United States, but many people living in town tell us they fear for their traditional way of life.

“I was maybe one of three Hispanics when I moved here, and now its getting to the point where I don’t know everyone here, but its growing,” says Robert Ali, who came to Trempealeau County in 1991 looking for work.

Since then, he’s become a translator with several municipal governments and law enforcement agencies.

“When I first moved here, the thing that struck me was a close-knit community. Everybody willing to know you and help each other out. That hasn't changed—much,” says Ali. “There is a lot of unknowns. There's growing pains, as I call them. As Arcadia is growing, so is the changing demographic of the area. And with that there are some issues that are being brought up.”

He says these issues include Arcadia's Mayor John Kimmel's proposing in 2006 to declare English as the official language, as well as making it against the law to fly any other country's flag.

The ordinances never passed. The mayor apologized and says he feels Arcadia is moving forward. Ali agrees with the mayor.

“Everybody’s learned from the experience, and just picked up the pieces and go,” says Ali.

Since then, there's talk of a newcomers group starting in town, which could assist with everything from finding work, housing or legal help, to learning English.

English as a Second Language teacher Linda Caradori, who teaches 80 non-English speaking students grades K through 8, says the area needs better access to language programs for adults.

"I know there have been attempts in the past to give them better access to learning English. Right now, they'd have to go to the tech school or something and it's kind of difficult for them to get there because some don't drive or have cars,” says Caradori.

Mateo Parrientos says it was harder for him to learn English in a classroom, but has learned more working at his store, the San Juan Mini-Mart on Main Street. But he says he faced some apprehension when he first opened.

"And they're nervous that because oh, he doesn't speak English. Course I don't, you know, I do my best, but now I see a lot of people come over here,” says Parrientos.

Before opening his grocery store, Parrientos worked at the Ashley Furniture plant in Arcadia. He and several others say many Hispanics work at Ashley Furniture or Gold'n Plump Chicken.

“I’d say anywhere from 15 to 20 percent are Hispanic,” says Bill Petz, manager of the Gold’n Plump plant.

Some people we spoke to in town say they feel more jobs are going to Hispanics. However, Petz says his company does not discriminate when hiring, and makes sure its workers are legal immigrants.

“We do everything we can and use all the tools that they government gives us to verify all citizenship of everyone that works here,” says Petz.

Despite some feelings of discomfort some local people expressed off camera over their new neighbors, people say they know why so many new faces are coming to the area. They're here praying for a better quality of life.

“It's a good dream, you know. It's a good place to live in the United States and it's comfortable," says Parrientos.

And they say they’re here to stay.

“I ended up getting married here. I have 4 kids now. So I've made roots here I guess you could say,” says Robert Ali, comparing it to the American Dream. “Which is what everybody wants."

While the people you've just seen paint a picture of a town moving forward with mutual understanding, many people we spoke to, both native-born and new in town, declined to go on camera about the issue of immigration for fear of retaliation from the other side of the community.