Abel Maldonado's Next Campaign- Congress in 2012

Maldonado has formed a campaign committee to challenge Democratic Rep. Lois Capps in the 23rd Congressional District, which now stretches along the coastline. Maldonado, who was appointed lieutenant governor by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, lost his bid for a full term to Democrat Gavin Newsom in November. Read More:

Posted by Jessica Damian

Community on 24th Street Acts

The tallies have been added - people on 24th Street want increased lighting, less graffiti, more neighborhood events and workshops for local businesses. And with $35,000 to start, community members circled up their chairs Thursday night to figure out the first steps. The Latino culture, unique diversity, public safety and community resources added up as strengths. Gangs, poverty and crime as weaknesses. Gentrification also became part of the discussion.

for complete article click here

posted by Flor Parra

Farmworker movement site dedicated as historic

DELANO, Calif. -- U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and farmworker union leaders dedicated a National Historic Landmark plaque Monday to commemorate the land and buildings where the United Farm Workers of America was founded in the mid-1960s.

Salazar joined the family of Cesar Chavez, the late founder of the farmworker union, current UFW leaders, farmworkers and area schoolchildren in Delano, a small city 30 miles north of Bakersfield, to honor the site known as "Forty Acres," which had hosted some of the most momentous events shaping Chavez's movement.

For complete article, click here

[Posted by Perla Parra]

Latino support for Obama plunging

n the last presidential election, Barack Obama marketed himself to Latino voters as a kinder and gentler response to the immigration policies of George W. Bush.

For example, Obama was on his high horse in July 2008 when he schmoozed the National Council of La Raza at its annual conference. He told the group that things had gone astray under Bush "when communities are terrorized by ICE immigration raids, when nursing mothers are torn from their babies, when children come home from school to find their parents missing."

Latinos fell for the sales pitch, handing over two-thirds of their votes to Obama even though he had a history of showing little interest in their concerns.



http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_17372299?IADID=Search-www.sgvtribune.com-www.sgvtribune.com

jennie

Obama pledges to bring the great outdoors back to urban youths

Seven months ago, San Gabriel Valley-area community leaders and environmentalists sent a message to President Barack Obama: We need more parks, we need more exercise and we need your help.
He has finally responded.

Obama announced last week a widespread effort to bring greater outdoor opportunities to Americans, particularly to urban youth, and reinvigorate efforts to conserve the nation's natural resources. He proposed increasing funding for conservation efforts, overhauling the way the nation's public lands are managed, and developing a conservation service corps for young people to work on public lands.

"These days, our lives are only getting more complicated, more busy, and we're glued to our phones and our computers for hours on end ... Cars and buses shuttle us from one place to another. We see our kids spending more and more time on the couch. For a lot of folks, it's easy to go days without stepping on a single blade of grass," Obama said announcing the initiative.

http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_17445716

jennie

Program to help county foster children graduate high school announced

EL MONTE - One foster child slipped through the cracks in the education system when he told school officials he was being home schooled. But his "teacher" was really his 82-year-old, Spanish-speaking grandmother.
Another child kept running away from his foster home and visiting his plumber brother in Lake Elsinore, who happened to have a bullet lodged in his skull.

Needless to say, neither of the boys was racking up credits in high school.

Now a team led by County Supervisor Gloria Molina is rolling out a program meant to plug the cracks for foster children in high school.

http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_17431432

jennie

New Navitist Anti-Immigrant Bills in Arizona

Arizona Lawmakers Push New Round of Immigration Restrictions

Illegal immigrants would be barred from driving in the state, enrolling in school or receiving most public benefits. Their children would receive special birth certificates that would make clear that the state does not consider them Arizona citizens.

for more information look at the article, located in the New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/us/24arizona.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=latinos&st=nyt


-amy de la fuente

Who Are Republicans Listening to? Not Latinos

In the past two months two prominent Republican leaders hosted national conferences to address what many call the Republican's Latino "problem." Former Speaker Newt Gingrich's group, The Americano, held its first Hispanic Conference in Washington DC in December and just this past week, former Governor Jeb Bush's first Hispanic Leadership Network Conference was held in Miami, Florida. They're both insisting that Republicans tone down the rhetoric their party has embraced vis a vis the Hispanic Community or risk losing the fastest growing voting bloc in America.

For complete article, click here

[Posted by Ariana Hernandez]

Anti-Immigrant Hate Crimes Rise with Hateful Political Speech

The federal trial of three Pennsylvania police officers accused of covering up the murder of an undocumented Mexican immigrant opened last week--reigniting critical discussion about the recent rise of anti-immigrant hate crimes. The officers--former Shenandoah Police Chief Matthew Nestor, Lt. William Moyer and Patrolman Jason Hayes--allegedly attempted to conceal the racially motivated nature of the 2008 murder of 25-year-old Luis Ramirez, who was brutally beaten to death in a park by a group of teenagers spouting racial slurs. At the time, Ramirez's murder underscored a growing trend of anti-Hispanic violence in the U.S., which some attribute to increasingly anti-immigrant political rhetoric

For complete article,click here

[Posted by Ariana Hernandez]

Vitter, Paul Target Birthright Citizenship For Children Of Illegal Immigrants

WASHINGTON -- Republican Sens. David Vitter (La.) and Rand Paul (Ky.) are seeking to deny birthright citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants by changing the U.S. Constitution.

The Supreme Court has consistently held that the Fourteenth Amendment grants automatic citizenship to those born on U.S. soil, but Vitter and Paul said Thursday that right should not extend to the children of undocumented parents. They introduced a congressional resolution that would amend the Constitution and close what they call a "loophole."

For entire article,click here

[Posted by Ariana Hernandez]

Census Estimates Show Big Gains For U.S. Minorities

WASHINGTON — Racial and ethnic minorities accounted for roughly 85 percent of the nation's population growth over the last decade – one of the largest shares ever – with Hispanics accounting for much of the gain in many of the states picking up new House seats.

For complete article, click here

[Posted by Ariana Hernandez]

In Austin, crowds rally against immigration proposals

People from all over the state converged on the Capitol on Tuesday to protest several immigration-related bills.

For complete article, click here

Posted by Elizabeth Vargas

Rift in Arizona as Latino Class Is Found Illegal

For all of that and more, Mr. Acosta’s class and others in the Tucson Unified School District’s Mexican-American program have been declared illegal by the State of Arizona — even while similar programs for black, Asian and American Indian students have been left untouched.

--Amy D

for more information: (New York Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/08/us/08ethnic.html?scp=4&sq=latino&st=nyt

Immigration Seen by a Latino Born in the U.S.

There's nothing remarkable about a member of the Minuteman Project raising a fuss over a Spanish-language billboard. The remarkable part is that this activist — a 61-year-old unemployed Vietnam veteran who fears that illegal immigration is killing the country he loves — is a second- generation U.S.-born Latino who simultaneously brags that his grandfather rode with Pancho Villa while fancying himself "probably the biggest Minuteman in America."
Read more:

Posted by Jessica Damian

California's New Redistricting Commision Picks Angelo Ancheta for Vacant Slot

California's new redistricting commission was made whole Friday when Angelo Ancheta was chosen from six other Democratic candidates to replace a member who resigned earlier this month.Read more:

Posted by Jessica Damian

With Dream Act shelved, immigrants look to 2012

By LAURA WIDES-MUNOZ AP Hispanic Affairs Writer

Posted: 12/11/2010 11:23:56 AM PST

Updated: 12/11/2010 01:27:59 PM PST1

MIAMI—The illegal immigrants who more than a decade ago were just teens hoping to forge a legal path to citizenship are vowing to make the Dream Act a campaign issue come 2012, even though they'll likely be too old to benefit if the law ever passes.

For complete article, click here

posted by Angie Ngo

The Latino State of the Union -- A Challenge to Lawmakers

President Obama's State of the Union address was a direct challenge to lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle to work together toward a more prosperous and globally competitive America. The president called for investments in innovation, education, and infrastructure to jump-start economic growth. He also pledged to get the nation's fiscal house in order and reshape federal government in ways that make it leaner and more efficient. His speech touched on many subjects and policy issues of great concern to all Americans and especially the nation's Hispanics.


For complete article,click here

[Posted by Ariana Hernandez]

Census estimates show big gains for US minorities

Related Content

• http://www.CensusScope.org/2010Census
• www.census.gov
• http://www.census.gov
• www.CensusScope.org/2010Census

BY HOPE YEN

ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- Racial and ethnic minorities accounted for roughly 85 percent of the nation's population growth over the last decade - one of the largest shares ever - with Hispanics accounting for much of the gain in many of the states picking up new House seats.

Preliminary census estimates also suggest the number of multiracial Americans jumped roughly 20 percent since 2000, to over 5 million.

The findings, based on fresh government survey data, offer a glimpse into 2010 census results that are being released on a state-by-state basis beginning this week. New Jersey, Mississippi, Virginia and Louisiana were the first to receive the census redistricting data, which will be used in the often contentious process of redrawing political districts based on population and racial makeup.

(Posted by Haley Gordon)
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/03/2049430/census-estimates-show-big-gains.html#ixzz1E5C2PGkP

President Obama’s Better Buildings Initiative Holds Promise for Latino Workers, Says NCLR

Washington, DC—President Obama’s Better Buildings Initiative to improve energy efficiency in commercial buildings has the potential to create significant new job opportunities for many Latino workers, according to NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States. An NCLR analysis released today reveals that nearly 400,000 Latinos work in occupations that could see significant job growth under this program.

to see the rest of the article, click here

[posted by: Blanca Chavez - Herrera]

Illegal immigrant drop houses on rise in Inland area

Illegal immigrant drop houses on rise in Inland area

09:45 PM PST on Friday, February 11, 2011

By DAVID OLSON
The Press-Enterprise

Inland homes are becoming increasingly popular sites for illegal-immigrant drop houses, places where people smuggled across the border are held until family members can pay for their release, federal officials say.

The drop houses often bring violence to Inland neighborhoods. Two smugglers were shot to death last year in Moreno Valley. Last week, federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials arrested four men who threatened to kill or cut off the feet of an illegal immigrant being held captive in a dark room in a Rubidoux house unless his sister paid a $3,500 ransom.

Captives are sometimes kept in squalid surroundings. ICE agents found 37 illegal immigrants packed into a locked bedroom in a Riverside house in September 2010, lying on the floor without mattresses, stripped of their shoes so they couldn't run away and some deprived of food for days.

http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_News_Local_D_drophouse12.c12bbc.html

[Posted by Catherine Macan]

Arizona sheriff draws a crowd but few protestors

"It wasn't the wall-to-wall crowd inside that disappointed Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio on Tuesday night. It was the lack of a crowd outside."

click here

posted by Izabel Pintor

Obama Meets with Latino Leaders

Repeated commitment to immigration reform comprehensively

WASHINGTON, D.C. (EFE) .- President Barack Obama met yesterday with a group of Latino leaders across the country to address issues like immigration reform or the federal budget to be submitted to Congress next week.


For full article, click here.
Posted by: Mariana Verdin

Voting Rights Act Challenge: The Latino Stake

Some people think of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act as the ultimate weapon against discrimination and disenfranchisement at the voting booth, and it’s under attack in Federal Court. The Washington Post reports that a group of “conservative legal activists” have filed a suit and argued “that states and local jurisdictions should no longer be forced to justify voting changes to the Justice Department or a federal court.”

For complete article, click here



[Posted by Sylvia Lopez]

New Latino Christians Could Swing Latino Vote For GOP

At El Shaddai Pentecostal Church in Austin, the congregants believe in miracles and hard work. On a recent Wednesday night, the parking lot is packed with dozens of pickup trucks and cars. Inside, only around 70 people gather in the sparsely decorated chapel—white walls, a few fake plants, no crosses—while Adrian Alarcon preaches from the pulpit. A trio of musicians provides a soft-pop instrumental foundation to his rousing Spanish-language sermon. Alarcon is one of many volunteer preachers at the church, but he’s as fluid and earnest as a pro, his words of forgiveness, prayer and the importance of following la palabra becoming a fervent chant. Soon people begin silently prostrating themselves at his feet. He silently lays his hands on their heads while the band lays down a smooth backbeat.

for more, click here



[Posted by Sylvia Lopez]

Black SC lawmaker: Immigrants are hardest workers

COLUMBIA, S.C.—An African-American lawmaker in South Carolina said Tuesday that stricter illegal immigration laws would hurt the state because blacks and whites don't work as hard as Hispanics.

State Sen. Robert Ford made his remarks during a Senate committee debate over an Arizona-style immigration law, eliciting a smattering of nervous laughter in the chamber after he said "brothers" don't work as hard as Mexicans. He continued that his "blue-eyed brothers" don't either.

South Carolina's bill differs in that it directs local law enforcement to call Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to alert them. If ICE agents don't respond, the suspect has the right to a bond hearing.

For complete article, click here

Posted by,

Elizabeth Vargas

U.S. Latinos trail in the digital divide: study

PHOENIX (Reuters) - Latinos are the United States' fastest growing minority, but they trail in the digital divide because of lower income and educational levels, according to a study released on Wednesday.

The survey by the Pew Hispanic Center found that fewer Hispanics than either white or black Americans went online last year, owned a cell phone or had broadband access to the Internet at home.

To read full article Click Here

Posted by Marcy Pineda

Latino Conservative Organization Against the Funding of Abortion in the Latino Community

The Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles, a leading voice for Latinos, today called on the House of Representatives to pass HR 3, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, sponsored by Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), which creates a government-wide statutory prohibition on abortion funding. The bill would ensure that no federal funds pay for abortion in the U.S., and also prohibits federal funds from being used to promote and perform abortions overseas as a form of family planning Read more

Posted by Jessica Damian

Clash on presentation of border deaths

Mass. Company Draws Fire for Immigration Game App

BOSTON (AP) — A game developed by a Boston-based tech company that allows users to drive a truck full of immigrants through the desert and try not to have them tossed out is drawing fire from some immigrant advocates.

Quick summary-
Many saw this video game as a racist joke of the hundreds of people that die, everyhting in trying to cross the border from Mexico to the United States. The gamers regretfuly said that the game was a satiristic way of showing the amount of people that loose their lives. With the intertwined views on the way of mounring/honoring the tragedies that occur near the borders, this piece is presented as a clash of views.

for more information/see the whole articel visit:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/02/07/business/AP-US-Immigrant-App-Game.html?scp=2&sq=immigration%20reform&st=nyt

by Amy D.

Inland Republicans press on against illegal immigration

WASHINGTON - As the GOP looks to improve the party's image among the nation's burgeoning Hispanic community, area House Republicans are pressing forward with legislation meant to fight illegal immigration.

Democrats and pro-immigration advocates predict that such tactics could amount to political suicide in advance of the 2012 elections, especially in heavily Latino Inland Southern California. But Reps. Gary Miller, Ken Calvert and others say they are trying to crack down on law-breakers in general, not the Hispanic community in particular.

"The laws of this country were designed to apply to people equally," said Miller, R-Diamond Bar. "Never once have we discriminated against any one given race of people. If you are here from Germany illegally or Ireland illegally ... I got no problem sending you home."

http://www.pe.com/politics/goad/stories/PE_News_Local_D_immig29.28cdc03.html

Arizona Lawmakers Mull Bill Challenging Birthright Citizenship

PHOENIX — Arizona lawmakers give their first hearing Monday to a bill that challenges automatic U.S. citizenship for children of illegal immigrants, the state's latest foray into the national debate over illegal immigration.

The bill to be heard Monday by the Senate judiciary committee seeks a court interpretation on an element of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to people born in the U.S. who are "subject to the jurisdiction" of this country.

For full article, Click Here.

[Posted by Eswin Quinonez]

U.S. To Have Most Spanish Speakers By 2050

By the year 2050, the United States will have the highest population of Spanish speakers, said one expert recently, and 10% of the entire world will speak Spanish. Cuban academic Humberto Lopez Morales said as much at a meeting of the Association of Spanish Language Academies in Valencia, Spain.

For complete article click here


[Posted by Sylvia Lopez]

The Latino State of the Union - A Challenge to Lawmakers

January 27 2011

President Obama’s State of the Union address was a direct challenge to lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle to work together toward a more prosperous and globally competitive America. The president called for investments in innovation, education, and infrastructure to jump-start economic growth. He also pledged to get the nation’s fiscal house in order and reshape federal government in ways that make it leaner and more efficient. His speech touched on many subjects and policy issues of great concern to all Americans and especially the nation’s Hispanics.

To read more, click here

[posted by: Blanca Chavez - Herrera]

Census Estimates Shows Big Gains for US Minorities

The 2010 Census shows a population boom of minorities in the United States, especially Latinos. The population changes can result in a shift of House seats in 2013. Click here for more.

[Posted by Wendy Hernandez]

Census estimates show big gains for US minorities

WASHINGTON -- Racial and ethnic minorities accounted for roughly 85 percent of the nation's population growth over the last decade - one of the largest shares ever - with Hispanics accounting for much of the gain in many of the states picking up new House seats.

For complete article, click here

[Posted by Perla Parra]

Latinos gain House Seat

Census Estimates Show Big Gains for US Minorities

WASHINGTON (AP) —
U.S. racial minorities accounted for roughly 85 percent of the nation's population growth over the last decade — one of the largest shares ever — with Hispanics accounting for much of the gain in many of the states picking up new House seats.

Mini-summary:
Following the 2010 Cenus, the United States will see a shift in the political presance of Latin Americans. As the population of latinos raises, so does the "hopefully" amount of political representation. Though many republican conservatives are said to be ready for the fight for dominance, the once minority shall awaken as a giant.

For more information:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/02/03/us/politics/AP-US-Census-2010-Population.html?scp=2&sq=mexican+americans&st=nyt

NM demonstrators show solidarity along border

The Associated Press

Posted: 01/30/2011 08:46:58 PM PST

Updated: 01/30/2011 09:15:04 PM PST

SUNLAND PARK, N.M.—Crowds gathered on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border this weekend to call for an end to the drug-related violence that has claimed thousands of lives in the past few years.

More than 300 people gathered Saturday along the U.S. side of a border fence separating Sunland Park from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, to show solidarity with the Mexican city that has been ravaged by drug-related violence. At the same time, about 150 people gathered on the Mexican side.

For full article click here

Posted By: Angie Ngo

Other views: No bottling up Tequila Party anger

Many Latinos have grown frustrated by the failure of Democrats and Republicans to craft a comprehensive reform of national immigration policy. Those disaffected voters may have a new home: the Tequila Party, an independent, grassroots effort designed to mobilize Latinos much as the Tea Party movement has seized on the anger and frustration of fiscal conservatives.

For complete article, click here
Posted by Elizabeth Vargas