Actually, it seems to me like they're talking more like they're from the deep south...

"A large percentage [of the vendors] are of a Hispanic nature," Langley said.

That doesn't make him sound like he's from the deep south at all. This article, and the person quoted, are in Los Angeles, which has a significant number of low-to-no income immigrants (some legal, some not) from Mexico. Drive around for a while, and it's true -- a large percentage of the people selling stuff on the roadside are Hispanic, and when you're dealing with illegal immigrants trying to earn what meagre living they can, they certainly do change their identity often. It's a common sight here to see a group of a dozen or more Hispanic folks outside places like Home Hardware, looking for temporary labour jobs. The guy's not being a bigot, just making an observation about reality.

Oh, and I think there's another thread around here that you ought to read, in which you'll find that your concept of the "deep south" is a misconception.