Top Stories + Essentials Hispanic y Latino News & Info (Noticias)
November 20, 2009
Hispanic lawmakers say an old adversary, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, has his fingerprints all over a push to prohibit illegal immigrants from buying health insurance plans in a new market for people who don’t get insurance through their employers.
Some U.S. Democrats see momentum building for an overhaul of immigration laws that would legalize millions of undocumented workers, but analysts say a crowded agenda and struggling economy may once again sink hopes for reform next year.
Mexican migrants are spending more money on taxes in the United States than on the remittances they send home to relatives, according to a new study by Mexico’s largest bank, BBVA Bancomer.
November 19, 2009
Migration Policy Institute (MPI) Report Finds Immigrants Hit Harder During Economic Downturn than Native-Born Workers
After a 3 year trial of producing regionalized news for several top 10 Hispanic market stations via the Telemundo Production Center in Dallas, the network is reverting to producing local news. Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Phoenix and San Jose will once again have locally produced news.
New Report Shines Light on Detainee Rights Violations in Minnesota
Video: Senator Menendez Speaks on Behalf of Hispanic Farmers’ Discrimination Lawsuit + update
November 18, 2009
New Report: More Than 2 Million Hispanic Households With Children Face Hunger – Hispanic households with children experiencing very low food security up almost 50%
On November 18 at 8:00 PM Eastern time/5:00 PM Pacific, all across the country people are hosting house parties with their families, friends, neighbors, churches, classmates and anyone else who supports comprehensive immigration reform for America.
Video report of Latina forced to give birth while in chains in Maricopa County, AZ courtesy of Sheriff Joe Arpaio (en Español)
California’s Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman told a group of supporters Tuesday that she is making an unprecedented effort to attract Latinos to the Republican party – in South El Monte
Environmentalists alarmed by Puerto Rico policies – Sweeping from lush mountain rain forests to pristine beaches, a corridor of land protected by Puerto Rico’s last governor hosts dozens of rare and endangered species and was championed by celebrities who helped fight off resort proposals. – Now new Gov. Luis Fortuno has revoked the reserve as part of a drive to bring jobs and investment for the U.S. territory’s struggling economy. And activists see a broader pattern of looser protection for the island’s environment.
Eleventh-hour criticism is arising over President Obama’s nomination for United States attorney in northern Iowa of a prosecutor who had a leading role in the criminal cases against hundreds of illegal immigrants arrested in a May 2008 raid at a meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa. – Stephanie Rose
Report from America’s Voice: The New Constituents… How Latinos Will Shape Congressional Apportionmention After the 2010 Census
November 16, 2009
15th annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza in San Antonio – more than 1,000 professional & student musicians participating – 8-day festival of mariachi competitions, workshops, presentations, serenades & concerts attracts more than 15,000 visitors annually.
Money Trickles North as Mexicans Help Relatives – reverse remittances from Mexico
The first Texas Hispanic legislators didn’t want to go public when they organized some 40 years ago out of fear they might be considered “un-American.” – Today, the Mexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC) is growing in influence — and raising record amounts of money — as Texas’ population turns increasingly Hispanic.
The Obama administration will insist on measures to give legal status to an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants as it pushes early next year for legislation to overhaul the immigration system, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said on Friday.
One of the Republican Party’s most respected and relied-upon consultants has serious reservations about two the party’s biggest names. – Alex Castellanos, a conservative media strategist and regular presence on CNN, raised questions of Sarah Palin’s viability for office and took major swipes at Florida Senate candidate Charlie Crist
November 13, 2009
ASU, ALRE release major study on Arizona’s Latino population – (direct link to report & powerpoint)
10 Latino MLB ‘09 Season Highlights – (some cool stuff here)
Few Latinos in leadership positions at California nonprofits – hold only 6% of executive director positions and 9% of board seats but are 36% of the state’s population
Postville Raid: Eighteen months have passed since immigration agents raided Agriprocessors Inc. meat plant, arrested nearly 400 workers, and sent the plant spiraling into bankruptcy. – On Thursday, the plant’s former vice president – Sholom Rubashkin – was found guilty of 86 of 91 counts of financial crimes. – Verdict brings closure to many in Postville
Federal authorities have identified more than 111,000 immigrants with criminal records being held in local jails, during the first year of a program that seeks to deport immigrants who have committed serious crimes.
November 12, 2009
Men, especially Hispanics, hard hit by loss of good jobs
Her Honor: A Portrait of Justice Sonia Sotomayor
For Battered Latina Immigrants: Dwindling Resources, But Also Hope – This is the second report in a special two-part series on domestic violence in immigrant communities by Feet in Two Worlds reporters.
Initially waved off, Hispanic advocates jump into health debate – Effort centers on ensuring reform doesn’t shortchange immigrants
BastaDobbs.com Announces Victory: Lou Dobbs to Leave CNN
November 11, 2009
As many as 750,000 Latinos and Latinas served in the armed forces during World War II, according to the U.S. Latino & Latina WWII Oral History Project
Domestic Violence In Immigrant Communities: Often Triggered by Stress and Complicated by Immigration Status – This is the first in a special two-part series on domestic violence in immigrant communities by Feet in Two Worlds reporters.
November 10, 2009
Mexico declares flood emergency in 2 south cities – A week of torrential rain has flooded the homes of more than 200,000 people along Mexico’s Gulf coast
At least 10,000 Salvadorans are in urgent need of food aid after devastating floods and mudslides that damaged crops, destroyed homes and killed 130 people, the U.N. World Food Program
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus took the right stand on threatening to withhold healthcare votes
After deferring his dream to play in the NBA, Greivis Vasquez is returning to Maryland for his senior year. But in Venezuela, they’re more interested in what comes after that.
One of the largest immigration crackdowns under the Obama administration to date took place in the Twin Cities last month, when 1,200 undocumented janitors were ‘quietly’ fired from their jobs
November 9, 2009
Colombia said on Sunday it will appeal to the U.N. Security Council and the OAS after Hugo Chavez, the fiery leftist president of neighboring Venezuela, ordered his army to prepare for war in order to assure peace.
November 7, 2009
Honduras leadership in limbo as accord dissolves
BLS: Unemployment Rate Rose to 10.2% in October; Hispanic Unemployment at 13.1%
November 6, 2009
Carmen Ortiz has been confirmed as the U.S. attorney for Massachusetts, becoming the first Hispanic and the first woman to hold the state’s top federal prosecutor’s job.
Latin Grammys: Calle 13 dominates with 5 awards – “Other than Calle 13, there were no other major winners. ” – Mercedes Sosa won the prize for Best Folk Album.
Senate Democrats Thursday blocked a GOP attempt to require next year’s census forms to ask people whether they are U.S. citizens – Vitter’s attempts fail
November 5, 2009
Low Latino voter turnout in NJ and VA elections reveal a return to the old ways
Grassroots Effort to Oust Lou Dobbs Now 100,000 Strong – Latino leaders and their allies who are part of BastaDobbs.com vow to continue online campaign putting pressure on CNN to drop Dobbs
Latin Grammys honors Mexican icon Juan Gabriel – The Latin music world celebrated 100 million records sold, 1,500 songs written and 30 years of recording, all by one artist, Mexico’s beloved Juan Gabriel.
Calle 13: With the people, without a map – Calle 13 hit it big in a hurry. Unsettled by fame, MC Rene Perez set out to connect on a personal level with Latin America.
The U.S. Supreme Court has indicated it is interested in hearing an appeal from business groups that, for the past two years, have been trying to have Arizona’s controversial employer-sanctions law thrown out. – The sanctions law, which punishes companies for hiring illegal immigrants and requires all Arizona employers to use a federal electronic system to verify the work status of employees, has been upheld by two lower courts.
Cuban Tomas Regalado was elected mayor of Miami with a pledge to control spending, limit property-tax increases and curtail development
November 4, 2009
Latin Grammys aim to bring Latin music to the mainstream – After a decade, Latin music’s most important awards show still falls short of its original goals — bringing greater visibility to Latin artists and musical styles.
The debate over health care for illegal immigrants continues to percolate in Congress despite the Obama administration’s efforts to put it to rest, with lawmakers in both houses also wrangling over how much coverage to provide for immigrants who have settled in the country legally.
Lawrence elects Massachusetts’ first Latino mayor – William Lantigua
November 2, 2009
Immigrant Jail Tests U.S. View of Legal Access – City Bar Justice Center is calling for all immigrant detainees to be provided with counsel.
October 30, 2009
Mexican emigrants sent home $16.4 billion during the first nine months of this year, down 13.4% from the same period in 2008
Sanchez sisters eyed by House ethics panel for alleged collusion – Linda and Loretta CA Democrats
U.S. May Be Open to Asylum for Spouse Abuse – Immigration lawyers said the administration had taken a major step toward clarifying a murky area of asylum law and defining the legal grounds on which battered and sexually abused women in foreign countries could seek protection here.
15% of the U.S. population is of Latino descent, but Latinos remain underrepresented on English-language television. Only 4% of on-camera talent is Latino
October 29, 2009
New Study Shows that for Latinos in NYC, The Recession is a Depression
October 28, 2009
An Entire Generation at Stake – By 2030, Latino children will make up half of the U.S. child population living in poverty.
Mexicans Fleeing Violence Spur a Boom in El Paso – Spike in Murder Rate in Juárez Is Among the Factors Boosting Nightlife and Home Sales in U.S. Border City
ESPN broadcaster suspended for making “taco” remark. Can you pass the “taco” challenge?
October 27, 2009
The Corzine campaign is airing a television ad unveiled over the weekend that features President Obama telling viewers in Spanish that the future of New Jersey is in their hands — “El futuro de Nueva Jersey esta en tus manos,” the president says.
US workers, immigrants unite vs. work visa program – The program has issued visas for 22 years amid steady complaints, and both sides of the immigration debate say it warrants close scrutiny as the Obama administration prepares to tackle comprehensive immigration reform next year.
October 26, 2009
Latinos lag in skills as toddlers, studies show – Poor, immigrant Latinas have healthy babies but by age 2 or 3, their toddlers begin to lag behind white middle-class children in vocabulary, listening and problem-solving skills, according to two new studies.
Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel has joined other chiefs in the nation in calling for an immigration overhaul that considers legalizing millions of undocumented immigrants.
Millions of children in the US suffer from suboptimal levels of vitamin D – 80% of Hispanic children tested!!!
Fields Lost, Hispanic Farmers Find Other Work as a Legal Fight Drags On – (good read)
New Mexican Hotel owner tells Hispanic workers to change names (to Anglicize)
In Dallas, Drivers Ticketed for Inability to Habla Ingles – over the past three years, wrongly ticketed at least 39 drivers for not speaking English
October 17, 2009
More than 100,000 turned out here Thursday for a protest against Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuño’s decision to lay off 17,000 public employees,
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio launched a sweep in Phoenix on Friday, a half day after officials in Washington limited his powers to make federal immigration arrests.
October 14, 2009
A Cuban blogger who has become an international sensation for offering frank criticism of her country’s communist system said she was denied government permission Monday to travel to New York to receive a top journalism prize. – Yoani Sanchez
Thousands of immigrants came to Capitol Hill on Tuesday for a day of lobbying and an afternoon rally calling for comprehensive immigration reform.
Decapitated body among 100 girls, women killed in Cuidad Juárez in ‘09 – “first time a woman has been decapitated and her body displayed in this manner” – (NOT GOOD but nothing seems to change) + The death toll in Juárez has surpassed the 1,900 mark for the year over the weekend, according to a tally kept by the El Paso Times.
The White House became “La Casa Blanca” on Tuesday, celebrating Hispanic musical heritage with a South Lawn concert and such guests as Gloria Estefan, George Lopez, the Bachata music group Aventura, Jose Feliciano and more. – Latin music ‘tends to make us move a little bit ourselves,’ says Obama
October 13, 2009
The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has named an executive with South Texas roots to be the voice of the nation’s Hispanic business community. – Javier Palomarez
CNN, You Can’t Have It Both Ways: It’s Either Dobbs or Your Latino Future – (w/ video)
October 12, 2009
Hispanic Farmers Fight To Sue USDA – In Texas and across the Southwest, Hispanic farmers have been fighting the Agriculture Department for close to a decade.
Beyond the Barrio, With Growing Pains – El Museo del Barrio reopens with a new glass facade, a redesigned courtyard and modernized galleries, including one devoted to its permanent collection in East Harlem, NYC – Rafael Montañez Ortiz
Whispering to Rottweilers, and to C.E.O.’s – Cesar Millan, the “Dog Whisperer,” built a multimillion-dollar company on his skill with pets and their owners. “God was my lawyer,” he says, and his pack chose his producers.
U.S. Can’t Trace Foreign Visitors on Expired Visas – about 40% of the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States came on legal visas and overstayed. (of course they weren’t all Latinos)
October 9, 2009
LATINA VOTER INTERNET AND NEW MEDIA USAGE: Groundbreaking Poll Shows Internet & New Media Usage Vital for Engaging Latinas
Republican Senators Want Census to Identify ‘Illegal Aliens’
The Boy Scouts are making their debut “en espanol,” with an advertising campaign and a soon-to-come Spanish-language Scout Handbook intended to draw Latinos to the ranks of the nearly century-old organization.
Justice Eva Guzman – A judge whose Mexican immigrant mother earned only a third grade education and worked as a cleaning woman was named to the Texas Supreme Court on Thursday, becoming the first Latina to serve on the state’s highest court.
October 7, 2009
Government Lags in Hiring of Latinos – The overall Latino hiring disparity is equivalent to more than 100,000 jobs or roughly $5.5 billion in salaries
Ideas for Immigrant Detention Include Converting Hotels and Building Models
Adios, Juan and Juanita: Latin Names Trend Down
According to Carmelo Mesa, a Cuban economist who’s a visiting professor at Tulane University in the United States, Venezuela bankrolled Cuba to the tune of $9.4 billion last year. This includes $2 billion to take account of the cost of subsidizing Venezuelan oil exports to Cuba. Venezuela sends oil to Cuba at a “preferential” price of just $27 a barrel.
Maryland Labor Secretary Thomas Perez easily won Senate confirmation Tuesday as the new head of the civil rights division at the Justice Department. – All of the negative votes were cast by Republicans
October 6, 2009
“Toughest Sheriff in America” Stripped of ICE Agent Status – According to a statement released by MCSO, the new 287(g) agreement has “stripped Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s deputies of their ICE agent status to act as federal immigration authorities.”
October 5, 2009
Dominican Hanley Ramirez claims Florida Marlins’ first NL batting title – All-Star shortstop finishes ‘09 season with .342 average
CNN’s Latino in America Premieres October 21 & 22 | 9pm ET with host Soledad O’Brien (but don’t forget they also air Lou Dobbs)
Senator Robert Menendez releases book celebrating Latino heritage and calling for government reform – “Growing American Roots: Why Our Nation Will Thrive As Our Largest Minority Flourishes”
Legal travel to and from Cuba is booming, even though the Obama administration has not officially changed any rules regarding nonfamily travel to the island.
Corridos — songs that tell the stories of notorious characters — have gained new prevalence among mainstream followers of regional Mexican music thanks to artists that are daring to sing in the bluntest of terms and radio’s new willingness to play the racy songs.
October 4, 2009
Award-Winning Singer Mercedes Sosa Dies at 74
October 2, 2009
Former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre is expected to announce Wednesday that he is running for the U.S. Senate, becoming only the second Hispanic Democrat to run statewide in Florida.
With the 2010 census 6 months away, the Commerce Department said Thursday it won’t seek a halt to immigration raids as it did in the previous census in hopes of improving participation in hard-to-count communities.
Upcoming Supreme Court Session to Decide Two Critical Immigration Issues
Hispanic farmers voice discrimination concerns – In N.M. visit, agriculture secretary gets an earful on USDA loan practices
Census Gets Some Latino Help and Needs It – a coalition of prominent Latinos kicked off a nationwide campaign Thursday urging people to fill out the 2010 Census forms.
October 1, 2009
1st 9 months of 2009 = 441,942 repatriated Mexicans :: Durante los primeros nueve meses de 2009 fueron repatriados desde Estados Unidos 441 mil 942 mexicanos a través de los 26 puntos fronterizos y el Programa de Repatriación Voluntaria al Interior firmado por los gobiernos de México y Estados Unidos, informó ayer el Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM)
A U.S. government task force (Southwest Border Task Force) recommended Wednesday that the federal Department of Homeland Security scale back an initiative – 287(g) – that allows local authorities to enforce the country’s immigration law.
Sotomayor’s impact on trial as high court returns to work
September 30, 2009
A senior American diplomat has held unannounced, high-level talks in Havana with the Cuban government, three State Department officials told The Associated Press on Tuesday, raising hopes for a thaw in long-icy relations.
NASHVILLE: Amber alert issued for abducted 4-day-old baby – Yair Anthony Carillo – Police believe a woman posing as an immigration worker went to Carrillo’s home and demanded his mother Maria Gurrolla, give her the baby. When refused, the woman stabbed her.
Las Vegas figures prominently in Hispanics’ growing clout – CNN and a federal agency director looked west for input on a burgeoning segment of U.S. population
September 29, 2009
Next year, Latin America will have to borrow $400 billion to compensate for the lack of national capital, a high-ranking World Bank official said.
The number of deaths of undocumented immigrants in the Arizona desert increased by 20% during the 2009 fiscal year, despite extreme vigilance and the efforts of humanitarian organizations.
In an effort to increase response rates and save money, the Census Bureau will automatically mail or deliver 13.5 million questionnaires in English and Spanish in areas with a large concentration of Spanish speakers.
Immigration officials consider more fee increases – Immigrant rights groups fear that further fee hikes would cut many out of the citizenship application process. The immigration agency, which must be self-supporting, faces a $118-million shortfall.
September 28, 2009
Puerto Rico’s government announced that it will lay off more than 16,000 public workers – adding to an unemployment rate higher than that of any U.S state.
Report: Hispanic Achievement Gap Persists – Hispanics 2 to 3 times less likely than Whites to receive baccalaureate degree (link to report at permalink)
With swine-flu vaccinations set to begin next month, public-health officials are mobilizing to ensure that the nation’s estimated 11 million-plus illegal immigrants are vaccinated.
The head (Thomas Saenz) of the nation’s leading Latino legal advocacy group (MALDEF) said if comprehensive immigration legislation seems unlikely in 2010, Congress should make down payments by passing smaller-scale reforms.
From the Pulpit, New Moves To Change Machismo Culture – Hispanic Evangelical Pastors Try to Instill Respect for Women and Families
Hispanics, Health Insurance and Health Care Access – Pew Hispanic Report – 60% Hispanic adults living in the United States who are not citizens or legal permanent residents lack health insurance.
Liberals seek health-care access for illegals – Fearful that they’re losing ground on immigration and health care, a group of House Democrats is pushing back and arguing that any health care bill should extend to all legal immigrants and allow illegal immigrants some access.
September 24, 2009
Salvadorans Seek a Voice To Match Their Numbers – Summit Aims to Raise Political Visibility – First Salvadoran American Leadership Summit
Half of New Latino Immigrants to U.S. Send Money Abroad :: U.S.-born Latinos are much less likely to send remittances, unless they report being religious
They’re torturing me, Honduras’ Manuel Zelaya claims – Honduras’ fallen leader told The Miami Herald he is being subjected to mind-altering gas and radiation — and that `Israeli mercenaries’ are planning to assassinate him.
Study: Minorities underrepresented in games – USC researcher surveys 150 best-selling games, finds zero Hispanic or Native American protagonists; women, children, and the elderly also disproportionately rare.
Most Mexicans See Better Life in U.S. – one in three would immigrate to the United States if they could – new Pew Research report
U.S. President Barack Obama Wednesday appointed several people to a panel studying the feasibility of creating an American Latino museum, the White House said.
U.S. Census Uses Telenovela to Reach Hispanics – “Más Sabe el Diablo” – “The Devil Knows Best”
September 22, 2009
Ousted Florida Anchorman Charles Perez Speaks Out
Mexico’s violent drug gangs are increasingly kidnapping illegal migrants for ransom and forcing them to carry narcotics into the United States as they muscle into the lucrative trade of smuggling people across the border.
A Mobile Connection for the Hispanic Community
White House seeks advice on getting Hispanics into college
Juan Sepulveda came to Miami on Monday to ask local educators for guidance in how to get more Hispanic students into college
Obama overreaches on immigrant care
The share of the U.S. population composed of immigrants dropped slightly in 2008, reversing a 40-year trend that helped fuel the nation’s explosive growth and diversity.
Honduras: Zelaya’s Daring Return Reignites Crisis
September 21, 2009
Billions for a US-Mexico border fence, but is it doing any good? The cost for adding 600 miles of new barriers is $2.4 billion so far. The new fencing has been breached more than 3,000 times, a government report finds. – also says $6.5 billion will be needed to maintain the new fencing over the next 20 years
Diabetes is killing Latinos in Ventura County, CA at twice the rate it is claiming lives in other racial and ethnic groups. – Nearly 6% of Latinos who died in Ventura County in 2005 and 2006 were killed by diabetes
Hispanic Heritage Month highlights need for type O blood – about 60% of Hispanics have type O blood
US struggles to keep up in Puerto Rico’s drug war
Juanes in Havana:`This is the power of music’ – Hundreds of thousands of revelers filled Havana’s Plaza of the Revolution on Sunday for Juanes’ historic mega-concert, while in Miami, exiles watched on TV with mixed emotions.
Ciudad Juarez has passed 1,700 murders this year, topping the number for last year with three months to go. Rather horrifically, of the 3,200 people killed in Juarez over the past two years, 500 of them have been drug addicts or those in addiction recovery programs.
September 17, 2009
The New Republic: Minorities Hit With Poverty Increase – Among the biggest poverty rate jumps were those shown for Hispanics (21.5% to 23.2%)
Brian Sandoval on Wednesday entered the Nevada governor race, a day after leaving a lifetime appointment to the federal judiciary.
Mexican American astronaut isn’t changing course on immigration stand – NASA went ballistic when Jose Hernandez advocated legalization of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. shortly after his return to Earth. The California-born son of migrants isn’t backing down.
New Study Finds Local Enforcement of Immigration Laws Led to Racial Profiling – UC Berkeley
Gunmen burst into a drug treatment center in the northern Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez and shot to death 10 people, the 2nd such mass killing this month.
Latinos to CNN: Dump Dobbs Now
Obama links healthcare, immigration reform – “My commitment is real and so is my desire to get this (immigration reform) done,” Obama said Wednesday during the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s 32nd Annual Awards Gala.
September 15, 2009
Latino Lawmaker Rips Obama for Making It Harder for Illegals to Buy Private Insurance – The criticism was leveled in Spanish by Rep. Luis Gutierrez
Hispanics Face Higher Cancer Risk from Breathing Household Chemicals – 5 times the rate of others living in the same cities thanks to inexpensive deodorizers and moth repellents
September 14, 2009
President Obama has extended the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba for one year
Washington has revoked the visas of Honduras’ interim president and 17 other top officials to pressure the Central American nation to reinstate ousted leader Manuel Zelaya
September 10, 2009
Census: 40 million in U.S. now live in poverty – 23.2% for Hispanics live in poverty
Video: Obama Heckled by GOP During Speech to Congress
Mel Martinez Exits Senate — With Some Regrets
2010 and counting: Growing influence – More counties are mostly Hispanic – Texas
Voters could give Latin America, Caribbean a political makeover – A dozen presidential and parliamentary elections in the next 14 months could halt the swing to the left and boost moderates.
How volatile is immigration in DC – In Lawmaker’s Outburst, a Rare Breach of Protocol – South Carolina GOP Rep Joe Wilson interrupted President Obama’s speech Wednesday night with a shout of “You lie!”
September 9, 2009
Gay Latino Americans are ‘coming of age’
The number of people crossing the northern and southern land borders into the USA has dropped sharply since a passport requirement began June 1. – Businesses in tourism-dependent border communities blame the policy for making a bad year worse.
September 8, 2009
Justice Sonia Sotomayor has taken her seat at the Supreme Court in front of a packed courtroom that included President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
In a strange twist, police busted a Hispanic man for tossing a bottle and a piece of wood at parishioners of a Hispanic church in an area of Long Island long plagued by racial strife — and charged him with a hate crime. (wt!@$)
Christhian Munguia Garcia
El Dia, Houston’s Spanish-language daily newspaper, quietly folded last week, leaving thousands of Spanish-speaking residents without a daily voice.
Hispanic-Media Spending Posts Biggest Decline Yet – Autos, Retailers Down, While Telcos, Satellite TV Are Bright Spots
September 6, 2009
Tens of thousands marched through Venezuela’s capital on Saturday to protest what they call growing authoritarianism by President Hugo Chavez.
September 4, 2009
Federal Contractors Required to Use E-Verify Beginning Sept. 8, 2009 – verify their employees’ eligibility to work in the United States
The Obama administration has cut more $30 million in non-humanitarian aid to Honduras — calling it a signal that Washington is not happy with the status quo.
September 3, 2009
Hispanics the focus of early push to register – Nevada hand-picked for initiative because of demographic’s clout – (I guess it is never to early)
The Five Biggest Lies in the Health Care Debate – Illegal immigrants will get free health insurance
New NCLR Report: Latino Worker Deaths Sound the Alarm for Declining Standards in America’s Workplaces
September 2, 2009
Mexico’s health care lures Americans – As the United States debates an overhaul of its health care system, thousands of American retirees in Mexico have quietly found a solution of their own, signing up for the health care plan run by the Mexican Social Security Institute.
Southern Poverty Law Center: Climate of Fear – Latino Immigrants in Suffolk County, N.Y.
The U.S. has released $214 million of an aid package to help Mexico fight drug trafficking, including funds for five helicopters for the military to be delivered by year’s end
Health Care Woes for Latinos – talk with Pilar Marrero, Political Editor for La Opinion and Fabiola Pomareda, reporter for La Raza (audio)
Mexican Boy Takes 600-Mile Bus Ride to Find Mom
September 1, 2009
Meet Brian Sandoval: Candidate for governor? – Nevada
Obama’s 1st year sets record for Hispanic nominations – 43 Latinos with major posts
Justice Dept. to Recharge Enforcement of Civil Rights – planning a major revival of high-impact civil rights enforcement against policies, in areas ranging from housing to hiring, where statistics show that minorities fare disproportionately poorly.
Massachusetts Cuts Back Immigrants’ Health Care – 31,000 legal immigrants
Trabajadores agrícolas: los nuevos esclavos – Farmworkers are the New Slaves
August 27, 2009
SATs: Hispanics scoring better, but lag in college admission tests
After years of declines, poverty is now on the rise in Latin America thanks to the global economic crisis.
Can the U.S. government take a woman’s baby from her because she doesn’t speak English? That’s the latest question to arise in the hothouse debate over illegal immigration, as an undocumented woman from impoverished rural Mexico — who speaks only an obscure indigenous language — fights in a Mississippi court to regain custody of her infant daughter.
Over 500 Organizations Demand White House End Flawed State And Local Immigration Enforcement Program – Federal 287(g) Program Results In Illegal Profiling And Threatens Public Safety, Say Groups
August 25, 2009
‘Better to Be Deported Alive Than to Be Dead’ – For undocumented residents, a call demanding ransom for a kidnapped loved one can lead to an equally fear-inducing call to federal immigration authorities.
August 24, 2009
Unemployment in California hits post-World War II high – In July, Latino unemployment rate hit 12.7%, dwarfing the white jobless rate of 9.5%
List of Imagen Awards Winners
Hispanics A Tough Sell On Health Care Reform – As A Group, They’re Among The Most Likely Not To Have Coverage, But They’re Wary Of Current Reform Efforts – (lots of info – great map)
Arizona State University’s freshman class of more than 9,200 will include a record 118 National Hispanic Scholars, bringing the total to around 335. ASU has perhaps the highest number of National Hispanic Scholars in the country, up from only 75 in 2002.
2010 census groups reach out to illegal immigrants, Hispanics and blacks – Minority participation in count seen as key to more local dollars
Study: Immigration judge as stressed out as emergency room doctors, prison wardens
He toiled in California’s farm fields alongside his Mexican migrant worker parents and didn’t learn English until he was 12. Now Jose Hernandez, NASA astronaut, is about to rocket into orbit.
August 21, 2009
It’s official: Political survey shows Latinos overall don’t trust Republicans for nada
Three women of Hispanic background were among those selected for Forbes magazine’s annual “100 Most Powerful Women” ranking. – Cristina Kirchner, Michelle Bachelet, Sonia Sotomayor
President Barack Obama on Thursday managed to undo some of the damage he did recently with immigrants’ rights advocates — who were angered when Obama said in Mexico that immigration reform would have to wait until after health care and energy bills passed Congress.
August 20, 2009
Labor report: Hispanic workplace deaths decline – Fatal injury rate for Hispanics per 100,000 decreased from 5.3 deaths to 4
August 18, 2009
Unemployment In New England Highest Among Latinos – Unemployment among Latino men has tripled since 2007.
Ted Cruz: A GOP bid in Texas to win the Hispanic vote – The state’s former solicitor general, running now for attorney general, hopes his Cuban heritage will be a plus with ‘fundamentally conservative’ Latinos.
Cases of swine flu higher among Boston’s blacks, Hispanics
U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Miami has taken himself off Gov. Charlie Crist’s shortlist of potential appointments to the U.S. Senate.
Homeland Security’s Revolving Door – Contracts with the Department of Homeland Security are spewing billions of dollars into private industry, largely to companies that also rely on Pentagon military contracts.
August 17, 2009
New Cato Report Highlights Economic Benefits of Legalizing Immigrants – Reform that Includes Legalization Would Yield a Net Benefit of $180 Billion Over 10 Years, While Enforcement Efforts Alone Would Incur $80 Billion in Losses
August 16, 2009
Mexico has replaced all 700 of its customs inspectors with agents newly trained to detect contraband, from guns and drugs to TVs and other big-ticket appliances smuggled to avoid import duties.
Hispanics in New Orleans are hurting for health care
Under pressure to pick a Hispanic to replace U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, Gov. Charlie Crist said Friday that U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart and former U.S. Attorney Bob Martinez are on the short list.
U.S. District Judge Brian Sandoval expected to be formidable candidate in bid for Nevada governor
What Sotomayor is Starting – The evolution of Latino politics.
In Los Angeles, Songs Without Borders – In clubs, bars, swap meets and concert halls, from car radios and ringing cellphones, you will hear corridos, old-time folk ballads in the banda and norteño styles
August 13, 2009
Maricopa County sheriff’s deputies early Thursday launched an employer’s sanctions raid at a Valley paper company and planned to detain more than 100 employees in connection with using false or stolen IDs.
Hispanics are no longer tokens – (demographic take)
August 12, 2009
“Send them (immigrants) home with a bullet in their head”: Health Reform Racists Encourage Attacks on Immigrants
A day after President Barack Obama announced that legislation to overhaul immigration laws would have to wait until next year, the secretary of homeland security played down the need for change in a speech here and took a tough stance on enforcing current immigration laws.
The 2009 Inc. 500: The Top 10 Latino and Hispanic-Run Companies
August 11, 2009
Obama Reverses Campaign Pledge To Renegotiate NAFTA
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (OR) said Monday that it’s time for the federal government to aid police and prosecutors seeking Mexican nationals who commit violent crimes in the United States and flee to Mexico.
Debate heats up on healthcare for illegal immigrants – House Speaker Pelosi has said that they would not be covered under overhaul proposals, but activists say medical care should not be denied to the sick, no matter their status.
August 10, 2009
Americans Return to Tougher Immigration Stance – More want immigration decreased than kept the same or increased
Busts of corrupt US border police rise
Hispanics watching health care debate closely
Obama: immigration overhaul will have to wait until next year
Video of Sonia Sotomayor ‘Taking the Oath’
August 8, 2009
Sonia Sotomayor was sworn in Saturday morning as the first Hispanic justice on the Supreme Court in a brief ceremony that completed a remarkable ascent for a Puerto Rican girl from the South Bronx .
August 7, 2009
Sources told the Miami Herald on Friday that Florida GOP Sen. Mel Martinez said he is going to resign before his term ends in 2010
For Puerto Ricans, Sotomayor’s Success Stirs Pride
August 6, 2009
Judge Sonia Sotomayor, who grew up speaking Spanish in a public housing project, is headed for a seat on the Supreme Court after an overwhelming Senate vote Thursday to make her the first Hispanic member of the court.
U.S. to Reform Policy on Detention for Immigrants – The Obama administration intends to announce an ambitious plan on Thursday to overhaul the much-criticized way the nation detains immigration violators, trying to transform it from a patchwork of jail and prison cells to what its new chief called a “truly civil detention system.”
A UM study indicates that the incidence of cancer increases dramatically for Hispanics who have moved to Florida from Cuba, Puerto Rico or Mexico.
Analysis: Latinos could be factor in GOP slugfest for Texas Gov – U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Gov. Rick Perry
Sonia Sotomayor poised to make history – Senate set to vote about 3 p.m. ET today
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., blocked the release of a favorable State Department report on Mexico’s human rights record – delays the release of $100 million in U.S. aid meant to help Mexico combat drug traffickers
August 4, 2009
The son of a decorated Vietnam veteran, Hector Veloz is a U.S. citizen, but in 2007 immigration officials mistook him for an illegal immigrant and locked him in an Arizona prison for 13 months.
She Made ‘Hispanic’ Official – A Conversation With Grace Flores-Hughes, Hispanic wordsmith
Recession leads to drop in birthrates in California – 3.2% decline in births to Hispanic mothers from 2007 to 2008 — the largest one-year decline in at least two decades – “That seems to be because a lot of working-age and childbearing-age Hispanics are moving out of state to take jobs elsewhere, coupled with the fact that the border crossings” into the U.S. from Mexico “have declined.”
After early pledges by President Obama that he would moderate the Bush administration’s tough policy on immigration enforcement, his administration is pursuing an aggressive strategy for an illegal-immigration crackdown that relies significantly on programs started by his predecessor.
Exec Shuffle As Juniper Explores Sorpresa Sale – Longtime CEO Stuart Rekant Among Departing Execs
August 3, 2009
Republican Sen. John McCain says he’ll oppose Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor when the Senate votes on her confirmation this week.
Immigrants who flocked to the once-burgeoning Inland Empire are hard-hit in economic downturn
July was Juárez’s deadliest month with 248 homicides :: around 300 homicides in all of 2007
MADIGAN SUES WELLS FARGO FOR DISCRIMINATORY AND DECEPTIVE MORTGAGE LENDING PRACTICES – Illinois Attorney General Alleges Lender Steered African-Americans, Latinos Into Subprime Loans
FDNY written exams excluded hundreds of black and Hispanic firefighters, federal judge rules
July 29, 2009
Olga A. Méndez, First Puerto Rican Woman Elected To U.S. State Legislature, Dead At 83
Immigrant Detainee Rights Are Routinely, Systematically Violated, New Report by National Immigration Law Center Finds “A Broken System” is based on 18,000 pages of previously confidential ICE, ABA, and UNHCR reviews of detention centers
July 28, 2009
Rick Sanchez On Twitter: Hispanics Working For Fox Have “Sold Out,” Bill Maher’s An “Opportunist”
Sonia Sotomayor Confirmed By Senate Judiciary Committee
The administration of President Barack Obama is vastly expanding a federal effort begun under President George W. Bush to identify and deport illegal immigrants held in local jails known as Secure Communities. But in Houston where the effort got a trial start eight months ago, people on each side of the immigration debate have found fault with it.
July 27, 2009
As Lines Continue to Blur, Some of Today’s Top Hispanic Shops Aren’t Hispanic After All – Ad Age’s Hispanic Fact Pack Ranks Agencies and Uncovers Latino Trends
July 23, 2009
A House committee approved a proposal Wednesday that would let Puerto Ricans decide their island’s political status. It was unclear whether the full Congress would consider the bill.
Hispanics have highest rate of uninsured in Colorado – 40% of adult Hispanics are without health insurance
July 22, 2009
Mexican Immigrants: How Many Come? How Many Leave?
New York International Latino Film Festival founder Calixto Chinchilla marks 10th anniversary
July 21, 2009
The Department of Homeland Security is changing the way it tackles illegal immigration, in many cases remaking or rescinding Bush administration policies. The changes put heavier emphasis on employers, including more investigations of hiring records and fines for violations
Unraveling how children become bilingual so easily
Despite Pledge to Cut Military Ties to Coup Regime, U.S. Continues to Train Honduran Soldiers at School of Americas
July 20, 2009
What Next For Honduras After Failed Negotiations? GRITtv Interview With Laura Flanders, Roberto Lovato and Democracy Now’s Andres Thomas Conteris
GOP, divided on Sotomayor, won’t drag out debate
Latino-owned Businesses: Potential Boon For Economy – Study commissioned by newly-formed Latino Business Chamber shows Latino businesses are positioned to grow – Strengthening Latino Businesses in Greater Los Angeles
Many Nicaragua revolutionaries feel betrayed by the revolution – Thirty years after the Sandinistas came to power, many are still loyal to the cause but feel disillusioned by the policies of President Daniel Ortega, the former guerrilla commander.
Hispanic worker deaths up 76% since 1992
July 19, 2009
Fox News, CNBC Pundit Wages War With U.S. Hispanic Chamber Over Small Business Bill
July 16, 2009
Critics: Hispanic Media Lack Coverage Of Sotomayor 0 Gerson Borrero, of New York’s El Diario/La Prensa; Lori Montenegro, a correspondent for Telemundo and Maria Elena Salinas, a news anchor for Univision, debate whether their news organizations have a special obligation to cover the hearings
In first year, Texas’ $2 million Webcam border watch nets just 11 arrests
July 15, 2009
L.A. mayor’s chief counsel tapped to lead MALDEF – Thomas Saenz, who led negotiations with city labor unions and defended the city’s living wage ordinance, will become president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
Patients in Puerto Rico die at statistically higher rates from heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia than those admitted to mainland hospitals, a USA TODAY analysis of new government data shows.
July 14, 2009
HispanicTips is now 4 years old and this is the 50,000th post. Wowza!
More than 1,000 people have been killed in Cuidad Juárez since the beginning of 2009 due to drug violence, Chihuahua state police reported Saturday.
9 of the world’s 10 happiest nations are in Latin America
For Some Latinos, Hearing Is Believing – Sotomayor’s Ascension Trickles Down – Watch video here
Generational shift for U.S. Hispanics on abortion
The Los Angeles Partnership for Evidence-Based Solutions in Elder Health, chaired by Maria P. Aranda of the USC School of Social Work and the USC Davis School of Gerontology, has released a Call to Action report that provides a snapshot of health priorities facing Los Angeles’ Latino elders and a generation of baby boomers who will reach age 65 in the next 20 years.
Jets’ Mark Sanchez may be NFL’s key to opening Hispanic market
July 13, 2009
Latin Alternative Music’s Movers and Shakers Meet
Outlaws in the U.S., Strangers at Home Downturn – Strands Illegal Latino Immigrants Between Cultures
Mentally ill immigrants have little hope for care when detained
Payday lenders are nearly eight times more concentrated in California’s Black and Latino neighborhoods as compared to white neighborhoods, draining these communities of $247 million in payday loan fees.
July 11, 2009
Delegates representing the ousted and interim governments of Honduras failed to forge an agreement during a second day of talks and no fixed date was set for future negotiations.
July 9, 2009
Leahy, Sessions Announce Witness List For Sotomayor Hearing – scheduled to begin on July 13 at 10:00 a.m
Efforts to rivet the attention of the Hispanic community on Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation hearings next week could complicate Republicans’ political ambitions for next year.
Obama’s Border Fence The U.S. – Mexico border fence—are private contractors making billions on a project that won’t even work? – (a must watch video – see it here)
Shortage of Hispanic doctors in California exacerbates health issues
July 8, 2009
Both sides in Honduras’ leadership crisis on Tuesday signaled willingness to forge a diplomatic solution to the deadlock over the fate of President Manuel Zelaya, who was ousted last month in a coup. Zelaya and interim Honduran leader Roberto Micheletti agreed to accept Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, a Nobel Peace laureate, as an international mediator.
July 7, 2009
The return of the PRI – More than 50% of Mexico’s voters stayed away from the polls on Sunday for the mid-term congressional election & around 6% nullified their votes in protest
July 6, 2009
Honduran Violence, U.S. Aid Test Obama’s Global Image
Picture of our Neda: boy killed by Honduran military with bullets and M-16’s paid for by the U.S. government & censored by U.S. Media
July 2, 2009
New Latin Music Crosses Borders At Will – California is America’s main immigrant magnet. As people move to and from — and within — the state and the U.S., the music produced by this shifting population is changing. The stories of musicians living and working in Oakland and Los Angeles give a sense of how the future of Latin music might sound.
July 1, 2009
Feds begin immigration crackdown at 625 companies
The Arizona House has defeated a bill that would have made it the only state in the nation to criminalize the presence of illegal immigrants by expanding its trespassing law.
OAS: Honduras Must Restore President Manuel Zelaya In 3 Days Or Risk Suspension
June 30, 2009
Honduran Coup Turns Violent, Sanctions Imposed – Thousands of Hondurans are now in the streets to protest the coup d’etat in their country.
Striking a nerve on racism – The time has come to fight hate speech against Latinos as we have against blacks.
Bank of America is accused of exploiting Latino immigrant customers – Ex-employees, backed by SEIU, say working-class and immigrant clients are urged to sign up for multiple services that carry high interest rates and fees. BofA denies any wrongdoing.
June 29, 2009
Honduras coup is a blow to democracy
Obama Threaded the Moral Needle of Latino Evangelicals in ‘08
Latino Democrats in the House and Senate officially endorsed Judge Sonia Sotomayor on Friday saying the appellate court judge and former prosecutor should be confirmed to sit as the first Hispanic on the U.S. Supreme Court.
June 26, 2009
The number of Hispanics in Nevada who filed jobless claims from May 2006 to May 2009 jumped 662.3%, from 2,389 to 18,211 – Construction slowdown
Video: President Obama vowed on Thursday to immediately begin negotiations to craft comprehensive immigration reform , with the goal of passing legislation in Congress later this year or early next year.
June 25, 2009
Voto Latino interview with Robert Cantu (warning: mid video has violent footage) – Noosing victim in Ohio
Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez not running for governor of California
Veteran Latino-rights advocate charged with voter fraud – Nativo V. Lopez
The Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of Today’s White House Meeting on Immigration Reform
Hispanics make up majorities at 7 Cleveland public schools, prompting call for special help
MetroPCS is First North American Carrier to Offer Unlimited International Calling for $5 per Month – including Mexico and South America
June 24, 2009
Latino Teens Happier, Healthier If Families Embrace Biculturalism: Report
Republicans drop niceties, go on attack on Sotomayor
