This paper examines 1980 patterns of spatial isolation and interaction between persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican and Cuban descent in selected U.S. metropolitan areas. Each group experiences low to moderate levels of isolation from the rest of the metropolitan population. In addition, contact between these groups is relatively low. The effects of socioeconomic status, size and growth of group population, level of suburbanization, racial composition of group, supply and demand for housing and discriminatory practices in the housing market on residential segregation were explored using regression analysis. Results suggest that overall the model is a good predictor of spatial isolation experienced by these groups. However, the model is not very strong in predicting variations in the degree of interaction between these groups except in the Puerto Rican specifications. These findings underscore the need for further scrutiny of existing theoretical assumptions as adequate explanations for prevailing patterns of interaction between Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans.

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