Latino Daily News: Bringing You the Latest Hispanic Current Events and News Stories 24/7

Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in close partnership with local law enforcement, arrested 22 men during a five-day operation this week. This is the latest local effort in an ongoing national ICE initiative to target transnational gang members.

The arrests were made as part of Operation Community Shield, a national initiative whereby ICE partners with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to target the significant public safety threat posed by transnational street gangs. Partnerships with local law enforcement agencies are essential to the success of Operation Community Shield.

The multi-agency operation began April 17. Arrests were made in the following Illinois communities: Bolingbrook, Glendale Heights, Joliet and Melrose Park. All 22 men are documented members or associates of the following transnational street gangs: Vice Lords, Latin Kings, Latin P-Stones, Two-Sixers, and Sureño 13s.

All of those arrested have criminal histories that include arrests or convictions for a wide range of crimes committed in the United States. Some of their crimes include: aggravated battery to a peace officer, armed robbery, burglary, criminal damage to property, domestic battery, drunken driving, mob action, possessing marijuana with intent to deliver, residential burglary, unlawfully possessing a weapon by a felon, and unlawfully using a weapon.

Eighteen of the 22 gang members arrested are from Mexico, two are from Guatemala, and one is from Ghana. They range in age from 18 to 40. Two were previously deported to Mexico, of which one may face criminal prosecution for illegally re-entering the United States after being deported. They remain in ICE custody on administrative immigration charges pending deportation. In accordance with privacy policies, ICE does not release the names of those arrested on administrative immigration charges.

Read more by HS News Staff →

Two new research papers have revealed that migrants working in Canada often develop health problems as a result of their grueling jobs, and unfit housing.

The papers say that migrants from Mexico, Jamaica, the Philippines and other countries are not given proper safety training and often live in hot, cramped quarters. Some don’t even have access to clean water, causing health issues, such as persistent back pain, eye and skin disorders, and mental health problems.

One of the papers, published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, was co-written by Jenna Hennerby, a social scientist with the International Migration Research Centre at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont., who said over-crowded housing, 12-hour work days, and lack of knowledge about their health care rights, and the pain of being away from loved ones take a toll on the migrant workers.

It was written that those with health problems do not seek medical care because either they don’t know they are entitled to it, cannot get away from work to go to a doctor, or are simply worried about losing their jobs.

Hennerby said, “One of the most disturbing things we found were the barriers to accessing health care and compensation,” and “forty-five percent of those surveyed indicated they were fearful of reporting concerns to employers.”

The report authors all state that there needs to be more stringent federal regulations on housing, and that safety training and free protective gear need to be given. The workers need to know their rights to health care.

Hennerby points to the 193,000 migrant workers admitted into Canada on temporary work permits in 2008, and says a changes need to be made soon,

“As we have these growing numbers, we’re going to have more and more vulnerable workers and more and more tragic and disturbing things happen.”

Read more at The Star →

Special Advisor for Children’s Issues Ambassador Susan Jacobs will visit Guatemala from April 24-25 to accompany Senator Mary Landrieu for meetings on intercountry adoption. She will meet with government officials and nongovernmental adoption stakeholders to discuss the status of U.S. citizen adoption cases that have been pending since the suspension of new adoptions by Guatemala in 2007.

She will also discuss Guatemala’s efforts to implement new intercountry adoption safeguards that would provide a path toward future adoption processing.

The Guatemalan National Council on Adoption (CNA) announced in September 2008 that the country would not accept any new adoption cases at this time. The halt was in response to allegation of corrupt and fraudulent adoption practices.  Adoptions ceased in order to enable CNA to work on establishing guidelines to use in accrediting adoption agencies and to focus on completing transition cases.  In 2008 4,122 Guatemalan babies were adopted in the U.S. and in 2009 only 756 were adopted out.

The United States remains open to resumption of intercountry adoption placements from Guatemala, but will consider such a resumption only when it is confident that strong safeguards against abuses and resolution of the issues that led to corrupt and fraudulent practices prior to the halt in new adoptions.
For more information about Guatemala adoption, click here. 

Read more by HS News Staff →

This Semana Santa, thousands of people come from all over México to converge at the capital, in the neighborhood of Ixtapalapa, to watch the annual passion of the Christ.

Gilberto Morales Pedraza, 20, walks slowly, but ceremoniously through the streets of Ixtapalapa, immersed in his role of Jesus. He doesn’t say a word, and his expression of infinite melancholy, is reminiscent of that of a Jesus Christ, walking to die for our sins.

At the end of the parade, Morales, wearing a crown of real thorns, will haul a 200-pound cross more than five miles; he will be tied to the cross, and at 3 p.m. Friday afternoon, Morales will reenact the death of the messiah, on a hill overlooking Mexico City.

This performance has been practiced over and over for months; Leticia Vizcaino, 25, who acts as Mary, says many people contribute food or spaces for the actors to rehearse. “This event brings the neighborhood people together” she says.

The first procession of the Passion of Jesus Christ in Ixtapalapa was staged in 1843 while a cholera epidemic was ravaging town. According to locals, after the parade, the cholera deaths miraculously started to decline and within a few months the outbreak was over.

Since then, residents of Ixtapalapa celebrate the passion yearly, praying on this day for an end to the violence affecting Mexico daily.

“I told her [Virgin Mary] to take my body and to use it to show the people how she is suffering right now over our difficulties,” said Vizcaino, “To reach their hearts and make them think about how we are living. During this week, this reflection is very important to us as Catholics.”

Read more by HS News Staff →

In the Dominican Republic, it seems that more and more police officers, soldiers, and other lawmen are turning their backs on the law, and joining the drug traffickers and engaging in illegal activity. Those that try to stop them, however, are sometimes fired and added to the list of corrupt law officials.

With a three-year list of more than 5,000 Dominican officers and soldiers fired for being corrupt, it appears the number of those willing to go up against the cartels and traffickers is shrinking.

As Colombian cartels pass through the Dominican Republican en route to Europe and the U.S., law enforcement officers are being drawn into the illegal drug world and keeping them from reporting or detaining the traffickers. The pull of greater pay in poor countries has been a substantial problem all across Latin America, and the Dominican Republic no different.

“There is no question that most of the heavy lifting in drug trafficking in the Dominican Republic is being done by the military: They are the ones who facilitate the entry of drugs,” said Miami attorney Joaquin Perez. “They get a commission, in the form of drugs, and then find someone to sell it.”

Professor at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, Julio De La Rosa, said that a university study found that 6 in 10 reported crimes were committed by police officers.

“Based on our experience, the honorable police who commit no crime make up maybe 35 percent of the National Police,” said De La Rosa. “Some don’t participate in drug trafficking, but during searches may keep some of the suspect’s belongings. In the armed forces, you see more support and backup to illicit organizations. Murders and crime are more the work of the National Police.”

As a result, the number of officers and soldiers having been let go is extremely high. The Listo Diario neswpaper recently published a tally of firings for the last three years.

•  The armed Forces has fired 2,300 soldiers in the past three years, including two generals and six colonels
•  1,100 soldiers dismissed from the Air Force
•  1,200 police officers fired by the last police chief
•  The Army said it fired more than 100 soldiers for drug offenses alone.

Read more at Miami Herald →

The Hispanic Federation welcomed nearly 700 distinguished guests and honorees to its star-studded 2011 Annual Benefit Gala at The Waldorf-Astoria. Under the theme of “Ignite the Light,” the Federation’s gala helped raise over 1 million dollars in support programs and services for the Latino community.

The gala featured co-Masters of Ceremonies Lin Manuel Miranda, Tony and Grammy Award Winning Composer-Lyricist and Actor, and MTV Host and Actress Julissa Bermudez. Entertainment legend Charo was one of a number of special presenters and performers, including multi-platinum recording artist Frankie Negron and Dancer and Actor John Rua.

Four extraordinary institutions and individuals were honored at this year’s benefit event. Wells Fargo received the Federation’s Corporate Leadership Award for their stellar commitment to providing bilingual financial education and support of Hispanic causes. The Premio Orgullo (Pride Award) was presented to AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets President and CEO Ralph de la Vega for his outstanding achievements in the world of telecommunications and his dedication to youth development. Goya Foods, celebrating 75 years as a Latino-owned and operated business, was honored with the Legacy Award. The Community Service Award was given to the Federation’s member agency, Puerto Rican Association for Human Development for their unwavering dedication to New Jersey’s Latino community.

A long list of elected officials also attended the Hispanic Federation’s gala, including U.S. Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez; New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli; NYC Comptroller John Liu; NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn; Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz, Jr; NYS Assembly Members Felix Ortiz, Guillermo Linares and Robert Rodriguez; NYS Senators John Sampson, Adriano Espaillat and Gustavo Rivera; NYC Council Members Robert Jackson, Melissa Mark Viverito, Julissa Ferreras and Ydanis Rodriguez.

The proceeds from the annual gala support the Federation’s programs and services, which are geared towards strengthening Hispanic families and a network of nearly 100 Latino nonprofits.

Read more by HS News Staff →

HS-News wishes our readers a very happy and insightful Earth Day 2011, a world celebration of our planet, and the day to really think about hat can we do to save it.

Some say that kids are the future; with that in mind, Cartoon Network has modified their programming, and created new programs to raise awareness about mother earth, not only on this day, but from now on.

Cartoon Network América Latina has launched several green campaigns with the purpose of uniting children through Latin America to protect their environment every day, joining the Movimiento Cartoon, the network’s social awareness initiative.

Today, the network will show environmentally conscious cartoons like Walter & Tandoori, Oscar’s Oasis, Master Raindrop and Flapjack, among others. 

Aditionally, starting today, the Cartoon Network’s Green Campaign will be launched in collaboration with UNICEF; this PSA campaign will see popular network characters promote environmentally conscious actions around the three R’s: Reduce (Johnny Bravo)  Reuse (Billy and Mandy) and Recycle (The Flinstones)

Children will also be invited to go green online at www.cartoonnetwork.ar , where they’ll find information, games and activities and advice to carry a more green life everyday.

On May first, the Movimiento Cartoon will launch a half hour block dedicated to the environment. This block will air every Sunday at 8:30 am throughout the region, and will feature new shorts and episodes of Walter and Tandoori, an action comedy where Walter, an inventor, and Tandoori, his hyperactive chicken-best friend have hilarious adventures saving the planet.

Read more by HS News Staff →

Organizers are looking to build a concert stage spanning the Rio Grande in the hopes of having the first-ever binational event at the site.

The Juárez Competitiva is a two-week entertainment event scheduled for October that is being held as a way to change Juárez’s violence-riddled image.

“If it happens, this would be the first time that a concert with these characteristics takes place,” said Carlos Chavira, the general coordinator for the event, Thursday. “This can be an event with a historical relevance similar to the ‘We Are the World’ concert.”

If the event happens, Chavira said he expects 400,000 to 500,000 people will attend, but housing that many people could cause serious issues. As a point of reference, New York’s Giants Stadium only holds 80,200 people.

Chavira understands that a stage that big presents a number of cost, design and security challenges, “but the plan is to do it with the least negative impact.” Plus, he said that U.S. Customs and Border Protection is being supportive.

The event is scheduled for October 13-28, and organizers are daring to dream when it comes to the celebrities they hope to snag.  On their list are Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Paul McCartney, U2, Al Gore, and/or Jimmy Carter.

“We’re barely starting, but we are very optimistic,” Chavira said. “We think there’s good will from the main corporate organizations in our committee.”

Chavira is estimating the event, which will include exhibits, conferences, art, sport, and musical events, and will cost about $10 million.

Read more at El Paso Times →

An interesting, yet not surprising industry in Mexico is doing very well not despite the violence, but as a result of it. No, it’s not the drug trade, but the security garment industry.

At the Ninth Expo-Seguridad in Mexico City a number of companies showed off bulletproof, jackets, scarves, shirts, and even underwear, which also protect the wearing against attacks with sharp objects. The more traditional personal protection garments, such as helmets, gloves, and bulletproof vests were also on display.

The largest security fair in Latin America, Expo-Seguridad featured more than 300 exhibitors from eighteen countries.

One of the expo’s stars was Colombian businessman Miguel Caballero, who has become well known for the bulletproof jackets and vests that he has produced for politicians, businessmen, and former presidents from across Latin America.

With the drug wars continuing throughout Mexico and the rest of Latin America, men with products like Caballero’s are in demand. The constant violence has made some areas ungovernable, and as a result, law enforcement officials are looking to the security industry to keep them on the streets as they fight to keep/take control of their cities.

One of the exhibitors, Mexico’s Bullet, specializes in gear for military and police use. They sell helmets, gloves, goggles, and bulletproof vests able to stop rounds from AK-47 and AR-15 assault rifles.

Bullet executive Erick Sanchez explained that the company also sells underwear, shirts, and scarves that “are ideal for preventing injuries” from attacks with sharp objects.

It is estimated that in Mexico, more than 36,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence.

The expo also offers seminars with public and private security experts, and holds discussions on topics like intelligence and the wars of the future.

Read more at Homeland Security Newsire →

Her persistence has paid off. Sort of. Estébaliz Chávez, a Mexican teen who protested outside the British embassy to get an invitation to the royal wedding, has received a donation from Octavio Fitch Lazo, for plane tickets to London.

She hasn’t been officially invited. In fact, a spokesperson from the embassy gave her a written notice from representatives of Prince William, saying invitations had already been sent, and there was no possible way she could attend. The letter also said the painting she did during her hunger strike could not be delivered to the prince.

Some people called her “the crazy of the embassy.”Even she wonders in retrospective, “how did I do all those things to go?”

She lost 17 pounds by the end of her demonstration. That’s more than one pound per day as she rallied for an invitation in front of the Mexican embassy. And though she never did get invited, Octavio Fitch Lazo, the secretary of the Mexican Civic Association Pro-Plata, lent her the money to go to London.

“I was moved when I saw how nobody really comprehended her much, and I think she’s right in fighting for what she wants” Fitch said.

“I feel nervous,” said Chávez on her way to London. “I hope I’m allowed in the UK, because there’s also the possibility of being denied access for the things I did, they may consider me dangerous to the royals,” she said.

“I’ve never done anything like this. I did it like an impulse, it was the only way I was able to travel to England.”

Read more by HS News Staff →

A former Bexar County Sherriff’s Office Deputy was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia to 27 months in prison for depriving a man, Jimmy Aldana III, of his constitutional right to be free from excessive force and for obstructing justice, the Department of Justice announced today.  Daniel Melgoza was also sentenced to two years supervised release and a $200 special assessment.

Melgoza, 54, of San Antonio, Texas, was convicted by a jury in San Antonio on Dec. 16, 2010.  Evidence at trial showed that on Dec. 8, 2004, Melgoza kicked a compliant Aldana in the head several times with pointed cowboy boots.  The evidence also showed that Melgoza wrote false reports to conceal his misconduct. 

“Correctional officers are entrusted with a great deal of power in order to carry out their critical public safety duties. But they must not be permitted to abuse that power by violating the rights of inmates under their supervision,” said Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez.  “ We will not hesitate to prosecute officers who cross the line and injure those they are sworn to protect.”

The investigation was conducted by FBI Special Agent Mirella Rodriguez.  Civil Rights Division Trial Attorneys Roy Conn and Christopher Lomax prosecuted this case for the United States. 

Read more at U.S. Department of Justice →

Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete is the newest “Madrina” of the Latino Commission on AIDS, announced Guillermo Chacón, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS. Navarrete was presented at the Time Warner Center as the newest “Madrina” and received a commemorative sun pendant, which officially recognizes her as a supporter and a partner in the fight against AIDS.

“It is important to the Miss Universe Organization, and to me personally, that we show our commitment and solidarity to those affected by HIV/AIDS,” stated Navarrete. “I am dedicated to promoting HIV testing, awareness and education in our communities, and to encourage one another to have ongoing dialogue about how to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS across the globe.”

“The fight against HIV and AIDS and the health care needs facing our community get more challenging every year,” said Guillermo Chacón, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS. “We honor Miss Universe Ximena Navarrete and the Miss Universe Organization for taking this cause to heart, educating the public and promoting HIV testing as an important step to prevent AIDS. Her beauty radiates hope in the fight against AIDS and for reaching healthy communities.”

Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete joins a group of vital supporters, all of whom are beacons of hope for a future without AIDS, including Carmen Dominicci, anchor of Telemundo/NBC, the “Reigning Queen of Salsa”, India, and super pop singer Paulina Rubio. Madrinas & Padrinos of the organization are those individuals that commit themselves to promote prevention and education related to HIV/AIDS. The role of Madrina/Padrino (Godmother/Godfather) in the Latino/Hispanic culture is an extended and important family member on whom a family relies for support.

Read more by HS News Staff →

In an effort to control garbage on the streets, and create civic awareness throughout the region, 140 cameras, used to monitor streets, have been installed in several Argentina neighborhoods, to spot people who go through trash to take recyclable materials, but discard non-recyclables on the streets or by the railroads.The cameras will also notify police of pedestrians crossing streets while on the phone.

Operators watching the cameras contact police immediately, and Citizen Protection or Urban hygiene personnel rapidly intervene.

“The idea is giving us excellent results, because [with every camera] we cover more city sectors” Said Andrés Petrillo, Secretary of Public services of San Martín “Thanks to this plan, we’ve mapped the problematic zones in our software.”

Petrillo said more than 70 fines for littering have been issued.

Read more by HS News Staff →

Jeniffer Lopez is reportedly in talks with ‘American Idol’ creator Simon Fuller for ‘Que Viva,’ a talent show in Latin America.

Jlo said she’s unsure if she’ll stay for another season of American Idol, which could be a hint to her commitment to ‘Que Viva’.

The project is still on its early stages; Lopez is working with Fuller and XIX Entertainment to pitch “Que Viva,” to different networks as a “Latin American music competition to be hosted by MarcLo”. Or is it “Jlonthony?”

Read more by HS News Staff →

The Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (CGSGI) and Fundación Carlos Slim announced today the signing of an agreement with Partners of the Americas to provide funding and project support for the implementation of the A Ganar project, in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. A Ganar — which means “to win” and “to earn” in Spanish — utilizes soccer and other team sports to help youth in Latin America, ages 16-24, re-enter the formal education system, and learn entrepreneurial skills necessary to enter the workforce in the future.

Through the application of a four-phase integrated job-training program in which youth transform lessons and intellectual skills, developed through sport, into marketable job skills, A Ganar has already trained over 5,000 youth in nine Latin American and Caribbean countries. Of the youth that have participated, more than 70% have graduated from the program and the majority of the graduates have obtained formal employment, returned to school, or started their own business within a year.

The program in Chihuahua is expected to enroll 900 youth. CGSGI and Fundación Carlos Slim will provide funds and monitoring, as well as evaluation support to the program. Based on the success of the project in Chihuahua, the parties will consider expansion into other communities in Mexico.

The A Ganar Program run by Partners of the Americas has expanded into numerous countries with support of major donors including the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Nike Foundation. Partners of the Americas uses local operators to implement the program model. The operator in Chihuahua will be Fundación Comunitaria de la Frontera Norte, which in turn will engage various community-based organizations to reach and train youth.

Read more by HS News Staff →

The renown Brookings Institution has written a policy brief, a companion to the volume of The Future of Children devoted to immigrant children, the authors address poor school performance and low family income among immigrant families and children. 

Nearly a quarter of schoolchildren in the United States are immigrants or the children of immigrants. A substantial percentage of these children, especially those from Latin America, are falling behind in school. More than 5 million, for example, struggle with their academic subjects because they are still learning English.

Evidence shows that three policy reforms—increased attendance in quality preschool, improved instruction in English, and increased attendance in postsecondary education—would improve their school achievement, lift their economic well-being as adults, and increase their economic and social contributions to American society.

Read more at Brookings Institution →

National Latino Broadcasting, LLC. (NLB), a newly formed subsidiary of Eventus, the leading national multicultural experiential marketing, sports and entertainment company, announced today it has been selected by SiriusXM to lease four channels on a long-term basis on the Sirius and XM satellite radio platforms. The media entity will provide programming targeting the Latino market.

NLB was selected from a wide array of qualified applicants after a thorough RFP process and review. The satellite broadcaster was required by the FCC to enter into long-term lease agreements with entities not affiliated with the company to help ensure programming options that are relevant to otherwise underserved communities. This expansion of choices was requested by the FCC as a condition for approval of the SiriusXM merger. NLB was selected based on the strength of its proposal for the development of Latino-focused programming.

Commenting on the selection, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said, “This marks a valuable step in increasing the diversity of programming available to satellite radio listeners, while promoting access for new entrants and independent satellite radio programming.” In a statement released earlier, FCC Commissioner Mignon L. Clyburn remarked, “Through this endeavor, groups that have been historically underserved will be able to enjoy a wider variety of creative and entertaining options on a national platform, and I am looking forward to the launch of these new stations as soon as possible.”

NLB’s corporate and sales office will be based in Miami with satellite offices in Boston, New York City, Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles. Additionally, the company is building a broadcast studio facility that will accommodate audio, video and digital production at its Miami headquarters. In the coming weeks, NLB will announce programming and launch details for its satellite radio channels.

Read more by HS News Staff →

A previously deported criminal alien from El Salvador was indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday for illegally re-entering the United States. The indictment resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Jorge Alberto Lopez-Cordova, 32, was charged April 20 with illegally re-entering the United States as a convicted felon after having been previously deported.

The indictment alleges that Lopez-Cordova has a 2005 felony conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine in Floyd County, Ind. As a convicted felon, he was subsequently deported in 2008 to El Salvador. Lopez-Cordova was encountered March 25 in Clark County, Ind., without the consent of the U.S. Attorney General or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to re-enter into the United States.

Anyone who re-enters the United States after being deported as a convicted felon commits another felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. If convicted, Lopez-Cordova also faces a maximum $250,000 fine.

Read more by HS News Staff →

Today national Latino leaders and organizations announced that they will be joining Ambassador Tony Hall in fasting, prayer and personal sacrifice to call attention to proposed budget cuts that will hurt vulnerable people.

“The Latino community would be devastated if the proposed cuts to programs benefitting the hungry and poor in America were to become law,” said Margaret Moran, LULAC National President. “Draconian cuts to Head Start, WIC, and SNAP programs are mean-spirited and unnecessary. Congress should not attempt to balance the budget on the backs of the hardest working yet lowest paid Americans.”

Moran is joined by former governor Bill Richardson, Congressman Joe Baca (D-CA), Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and Rev. Gabriel Salguero, President of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition.

“As the largest and oldest membership-based Hispanic organization in the country, the League of United Latin American Citizens stands firm in its commitment to work towards ending hunger in the U.S.,” states National Executive Director, Brent Wilkes. “Given the tough economic climate, the high rates of unemployment and the surge in the number of Latinos struggling to feed their families, these irresponsible budget cuts will be detrimental to hard-working, middle-class Hispanic families. Today I join the HungerFast movement in opposition to these proposed budget cuts—the burden of closing the deficit should not be carried on the shoulders of the most vulnerable in society.”

The HungerFast.org movement was first announced on Monday, March 28th by Ambassador Hall who stopped eating and started fasting twenty-four days ago, challenging people of faith and conscience to join him, pledging to put pressure on Congress to form a “circle of protection” around programs benefitting poor and hungry people.

To date over 36,000 Americans, 28 Members of Congress and the leaders over 40 diverse organizations—including Bread for the World, Sojourners, World Vision, American Jewish World Service, Islamic Relief USA, Feed America, Share Our Strength, ONE, Mo

Read more by HS News Staff →