Latino News and Opinion

...It is quite ironic that the Department of Justice has to work hard at having to “restore respect for the law within the culture of the DHS (Department of Homeland Security)” that is, the federal government itself. ...

...At age 79, Jaime Escalante, the legendary East Los Angeles math teacher who inspired the classic 1988 motion picture Stand and Deliver, is fighting for his life.  ...

...Nearly 350 Hispanic advocates representing more than 100 community-based organizations in 30 states traveled to Washington, D.C., the first week of March to engage their congressional representatives face-to-face over federal inaction on comprehensive immigration reform. ...

...Two candidates in the March 2 Republican primary in Texas suggested their defeats implicated “ethnic bias,” “racial bias” and “ethnic angst.”  ...

...Latino leaders are gathering in Philadelphia today to meet with the top brass at Comcast and NBC Universal. ...

...Hundreds of thousands of people are abandoning their violence-torn homes in the once-booming Mexican border city of Juárez. They are closing their businesses and moving elsewhere.  ...

...Parenthood is perhaps the hardest job in the world. Parents raise their kids, teach them values, what is important in life and how they are expected to treat their family and the world at large. They then send them off, hoping that this initial molding has imparted to them all of the values and skills that will allow them to be happy, contributing members of society and that they will find a caring soul mate as they reach adulthood, for parents, we know too well to our great sorrow, do not live forever.  In the blink of an eye, that child, we’ll call him “Matthew”, is an adult. He comes to his parents and informs them that he is in love and has met “the one”. This one, he assures them, is the woman who makes him beyond happy and is everything he has ever dreamed of as a soul mate. He tells his parents that they, too, will be equally enthralled and happy with his choice of a future wife. Finally, the day of the big introduction comes. Angela, the “intended”, a young woman from Spain with a pretty exterior—dark hair and big blue eyes-- and sugary sweet on the surface, appears at the first family dinner. Unfortunately, it does not take long for Mom, Dad and even several of Matthew’s siblings to pick up on the fact that Angela, while very much in love with Matthew, is an extremely immature, spoiled young woman whose dream was to live in America. Matthew’s parents are quite concerned and tread carefully, knowing that adult children must and do make their own decisions. Besides, they weren’t perfect at that age. Months go by. One day Matthew appears, proudly informing his parents that he and Angela are now officially engaged. He has a small request: will they sign some “immigration papers” to allow Angela remain in the U.S.? Matthew already has a lawyer, Scott, his best friend from childhood (who doesn’t like Angela either but hey, friendship is friendship among guys). As a wedding gift, Scott has agreed to process the immigration papers for free. He explains to Matthew’s parents that they must file Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, on behalf of Angela because their son, who is in medical school, doesn’t earn enough income to support her according to the Immigration laws. Scott asks his friends’ parents to provide him with a copy of their last federal tax returns, their W-2s, current job letters stating their salaries and proof of their legal status in the U.S. He tells them to just sign the papers where he has indicated in the packet and all will be well. Matthew’s father is a retired government worker and a bit skeptical. He asks Scott what he and his wife are signing on to if they place their signatures on the dotted line. Scott assures them that it’s really “just a paper and means nothing”. Scott, who owes an ethical duty to both Matthew and his parents, the Joint Sponsors of Angela’s Affidavit of Support, is dead wrong and is treading in horribly unethical territory. An I-864 is not just a piece of paper; it is an official contract to support Angela at 125% above the poverty level essentially forever, even if she and Matthew get divorced, unless Angela becomes a U.S. citizen, works full time, 40 qualifying quarters (10 years), dies (even if Matthew were to die his parents’ obligation would live on) or   returns permanently to Spain. Matthew’s father learns even more after further digging: his and his wife’s legal obligations as the financial sponsors are to notify USCIS of any change of address and if Angela collects public benefits while a Lawful Permanent Resident, they, by signing such form, are agreeing to reimburse the local, state and federal governments for these benefits, if requested. Matthew’s parents now face a great dilemma: to protect themselves financially by refusing to sign because of their distrust of Angela’s motives (she can’t stay in the U.S. without marrying their son) and thus risk losing Matthew or to risk losing their income and savings for their “golden years” (and go against the instincts they have always relied on in their 70 plus years of life). They are sleepless and stressed. Ultimately, they decide to sign on the dotted line, hoping for a “happy- forever -after” for their grown child. What can they do to make sure that their new daughter-in-law doesn’t pull the financial trigger on their Affidavit of Support? For starters, be very nice to her and hope that this one time their protective parental instincts were off. Next, make sure that she learns English quickly, well enough to have her naturalize within the permitted three year period and thus allow them to escape from their unintentional “forever” legal promise, occasioned by their signing of the I-864 Affidavit of Support on behalf of Angela!  ...

...Since 1996 U.S. consulates overseas hold vast power to delay or deny visas to prospect immigrants applying to rejoin their American families....

...The question sounds like the start of bad joke, and in fact it is. Posited with this inquiry before I heard the story of John O’Riley, I would likely have responded with an offensive punch line dwelling on the two cultures’ fabled fondness for spirits or insouciant approach to life. Yet, as Saint Patrick’s Day approaches, I find myself armed with something new to say. During the 1840s, thousands of immigrants, mostly the Irish-Catholic diaspora who, driven from the isle by the Great Potato Famine, came to the United States. Many were lured by the promise of a noble career, a decent salary, and the opportunity to escape heavy Anti-Irish sentiments. However, donning a uniform emblazoned by the U.S. flag did not stifle prejudice against the Irish. By 1846 the United States was intent on invading Mexico. The ostensible reason was to collect on past-due loans and indemnities. The real reason was that this country sought to gain control of valuable Mexican territories which at that time included: the ports of San Francisco and San Diego, the trade route through New Mexico and mineral-rich Nevada. Many Irish empathized with Mexico from the onset of the Mexican-American War. Like Ireland, Mexico was a Catholic country that was being invaded by a Protestant power. Most Irish Immigrants knew little about this country’s heritage and culture. What they quickly learned was that earlier settlers were not particularly fond of Irish-Catholics. For more than a decade, members of the Know Nothing political movement plundered and torched Catholic convents, churches and schools and murdered at minimum two dozen Catholics with impunity. Fueled by a palpable sense of animosity and an opportunity to aid a country all too similar to their own, many Irish conscripts deserted their U.S. military posts and joined the ranks of the Mexican army. The San Patricio Battalion’s role in the U.S.-Mexico War began with U.S. immigrant John O’Riley, born in Clifden, County Galway, enlisting in the Mexican army in March of 1846. Quickly, O’Riley persuaded 48 fellow Irishmen to fight alongside him for Mexico. Enlistments soon swelled to more than 200. Under their distinct green banner, the San Patricios participated in all of the war’s major battles. It was cited for bravery by then-Mexican President General López de Santa Anna. During the battle of Churubusco, the Patricios fought long after they had exhausted their ammunition.     When their Mexican comrades raised the white flag suggesting surrender, they tore it down, preferring to fight with their bayonets and bare hands. When the brutal battle reached its conclusion, 85 Patricios had been captured. Of those, 72 were tried by a court martial. In accordance with the court’s order, 50 soldiers who joined O’Riley’s ranks after the U.S. had officially declared war were hanged and the 16, which included O’Riley, who took up arms with Mexico before the official start of the war were  flogged and branded on the cheek with a “D” for desertion.    To this day, O’Riley and the Patricios are regarded as heroes in Mexico and Ireland. Mexico celebrates the Irish soldiers on two separate days every year; Sept. 12 commemorates the execution of the Patricios, and March 17, Saint Patrick’s Day.  In Ireland, a bronze sculpture of O’Riley was erected in his birthplace of Clifden, County Galway. So, this Saint Patrick’s Day if you find yourself in a pub with stein full of green beer and someone asks what a Mexican has in common with an Irishmen, tell him the willingness to fight for noble ideas and just causes, and indulge them with the tale of the San Patricio Battalion. Remember, on Saint Paddy’s day, we’re all just a little bit Irish, just as the Irish are a little bit Mexican. (Adrian Rocha is a reporter with Hispanic Link News Service in Washington, D,C. Email him at Arocha@hispaniclink.org.) ...

... Boy, here’s a time warp that goes back to bellbottom pants and the intense public feelings of the ’70s. ...

...Following the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe went into a long dormant period. With it went an intellectual tradition that had begun with the ancient Greeks and had persisted into Roman times, from roughly 44 B.C. until about 476 A.D....

...“Gerrymandering” is a word that Latinos should learn, specially in census time and considering that it is anticipated that this minority will have a significant increase. ...

...The Obama Administration, with growing support from top military brass and members of Congress, including half of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, is moving to repeal the Don't Ask Don't Tell law — a 1993 compromise by resident Clinton that lifted the longstanding outright ban on gays and lesbians serving in the military....

...On March 24, 1976, a military coup took over power in Argentina and gained control of the government, kidnapping and murdering thousands and sending many more to detention centers. ...

...The Feb. 18-20 Conservative Political Action Conference ushered in some of the nation’s top conservative leaders,  media personalities  and frustrated taxpayers to talk about a wave of resurgence for the Republican Party and conservative values. ...

...In his first opportunity to lay out his political platform to a national audience via various broadcast and print outlets including CSPAN, U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio addressed the opening session of the American Conservative Union’s annual Conservative Political Action Conference Feb. 18 in Washington, D.C. ...

...Organized crime knows no boundaries. Devoid of moral constraints it thrives, brutal and inhuman, yet extraordinarily efficient....

...   Momentum for candidates in 37 competitive congressional races and three gubernatorial contests this coming fall will hinge heavily on Latino voter turnout, a report released Feb. 8 by America’s Voice reveals. ...

...HOUSTON —First Lady Michelle Obama has launched a campaign to reduce obesity. In doing so, she is expected to avoid taking on a leading cause of childhood obesity, sugary soft drinks. The reason has less to do with health than with politics....

...Since President Obama attached some supportive dollar signs this month to his administration's proposals for the coming fiscal year, many federal departments are creating or expanding programs designed to benefit Latinos and other underserved constituencies.  ...

...Despite the poor economic job climate in the U.S. and lack of previous opportunities, America is still a beckon of hope and employment for many.  Too often, however, employers prey upon the desire and desperation of these foreign nationals to grab the brass employment ring in America, taking advantage of all immigrants, especially those from their own native country. ...

...Sorry, Haitians. It was a good try but most, if not all of you are going back to Haiti. Regardless of how government officials spin it, you're being repatriated because you're illegal, black, and poor with zilch political clout in the U.S and, worse, you're not Cuban....

...Congress and the Obama administration may soon tackle the intimidating issue of immigration reform. If the political stakes of reform are high, the economic impact could be even greater.  ...

...“People who could not even spell the word ‘vote’ or say it in English put a committed socialist ideologue in the White House. His name is Barack Hussein Obama;” Tom Tancredo former Republican congressman from Colorado....

...   At a time when opportunities for Latinos and other people to advance in their careers, in their businesses and in every other sphere of activity are disappearing, net neutrality is a must.  Over the next few months the Federal Communications Commission will be considering whether to adopt network neutrality rules.   ...