What ethnic classification would Italians be considered? Would they be considered latino or caucasian?

Question

I have notice that the U.S. government categorizes the following races:
American Indian or Alaskan Native- ppl of North America and South America
Asian or Pacific Islanders- ppl of Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands
Black or African American- ppl of any Black racial group of Africa in addition to Haiti
Hispanic or Latino- ppl of Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central or South America or other Spanish culture
White or Caucasian- ppl of Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East
I have never seen the nationality Italian…I don’t understand.

Answer 1

Italy is part of Europe therefore they are European - hence White or Caucasian.
Their language is latin based, hence members of the latino based languages such as most of the South American countries,
and Portugal, France, Spain, Italy, Romania etc.

The word "Latino" has been used incorrectly by many to suggest only the people from South or Central America which is technically wrong.

Not to forget the expressions "Latin lover" or "Casanova" which are essentially Italian.

Answer 2

The US government do NOT consider Hispanic or Latino to be a race, but a ethnicity, and a Hispanic or Latino can be from any race. As you say in your own question, it's a culture. In the US census they ask your race and, after that, ask if you're Hispanic/Latino. To think that all latinos are part indigenous part white is RIDICULOUS and IGNORANCE.

The answer to your question is in your own answer, Italy is in Europe.

Answer 3

Mediterranian, I believe. They would be Caucasion as opposed to Latino, because Latinos have both white and Native American blood. The similarity between the Italian and Spanish language is only because the Italian language is more directly decended from Latin, but Italians are still caucasion.

Answer 4

Caucasion

Answer 5

Italians are Caucasian, just like france, spain, austria, portugal, switzerland, rumania, germany, england,scotland, etc etc.

They are NOT technically latinos as someone above said. Ciao.

Answer 6

Italy is in Europe right? So, they'd be considered European, therefor under you categories that would be White or Caucasian.

Answer 7

Technically Italian is Latino. But most of the time it gets classified as 'white' in America.

Answer 8

first of all we italians are a nationality, not an ethnic group

caucasians are people who live along the caucaso mountain range, between iran and russia

caucasians are the georgians, the armenians, etc.
not people who live in western europe

Answer 9

I always knew them to be considered 'white'...we come in different shades too, like anyone else...