Politics + Top Stories Hispanic y Latino News & Info (Noticias)
November 24, 2009
Raul Humberto Yzaguirre, 70, a veteran activist in the civil rights struggle of Hispanics in the United States, has been accepted by the Dominican Government as new American ambassador in the country.
The Republican National Committee has hired Alex Castellanos, a long-time political strategist and GOP consultant, as an adviser.
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.
November 19, 2009
Video: Senator Menendez Speaks on Behalf of Hispanic Farmers’ Discrimination Lawsuit + update
November 18, 2009
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
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.
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
Salud en EE.UU.: hispanos temen exclusión
November 12, 2009
Initially waved off, Hispanic advocates jump into health debate – Effort centers on ensuring reform doesn’t shortchange immigrants
November 10, 2009
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus took the right stand on threatening to withhold healthcare votes
November 7, 2009
Honduras leadership in limbo as accord dissolves
November 6, 2009
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
Cuban Tomas Regalado was elected mayor of Miami with a pledge to control spending, limit property-tax increases and curtail development
November 4, 2009
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
October 30, 2009
Sanchez sisters eyed by House ethics panel for alleged collusion – Linda and Loretta CA Democrats
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.
October 26, 2009
Poll: Tomás Regalado leads Miami mayoral race – 40% favored him, with 18% supporting his opponent, Joe Sanchez. 42% of voters were undecided.
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.
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
Obama celebrates Spain and Hispanic music
Hispanos ponen a bailar a Obama en la Casa Blanca
Obama Hosts Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Celebrates Latin Music On Tuesday
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’
October 7, 2009
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 5, 2009
Immigration advocates hoping to see comprehensive reform move through Congress this year now acknowledge they will probably have to wait until 2010, thanks to the all-consuming health care debate.
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.
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.
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
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.
September 28, 2009
The Miami Herald’s Thirteenth Annual Americas Conference. Once again this year, leading business, government and academic leaders will come together on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 29 and 30, to discuss key issues and trends affecting political and economic relationships between Latin America, the United States and the Caribbean.
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.
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
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.
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.
September 22, 2009
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
Honduras: Zelaya’s Daring Return Reignites Crisis
Zelaya’s Return to Tegucigalpa Brings Coup Closer to its End
September 17, 2009
Brian Sandoval on Wednesday entered the Nevada governor race, a day after leaving a lifetime appointment to the federal judiciary.
Obama praises Sotomayor at Hispanic gala
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
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
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
Defying U.S., Honduras won’t let Manuel Zelaya return as president
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.
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
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
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.
Mexico and Argentina move towards decriminalising drugs – In a backlash against the US ‘war on drugs’, Latin America turns to a more liberal policy
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
Florida Governor Names Former Aide LeMieux to Senator Mel Martinez seat – (so 1 less Latino Senator)
September 1, 2009
Meet Brian Sandoval: Candidate for governor? – Nevada
Obama’s 1st year sets record for Hispanic nominations – 43 Latinos with major posts
Massachusetts Cuts Back Immigrants’ Health Care – 31,000 legal immigrants
August 27, 2009
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 24, 2009
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)
Florida Sen. Mel Martinez’s Departure Leaves GOP Floundering With Hispanic Voters
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 18, 2009
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.
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.
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
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.
August 12, 2009
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.
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
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.”
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
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.
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.
July 29, 2009
Olga A. Méndez, First Puerto Rican Woman Elected To U.S. State Legislature, Dead At 83
July 28, 2009
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 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.
The Senate Democrat leading the push for immigration changes said Tuesday verifying the legal status of workers will require citizens and immigrants to prove they are legally eligible to hold jobs in the U.S.
July 21, 2009
Sotomayor Vote Delayed One Week By Judiciary Committee Republicans
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
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
Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori was sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison for embezzlement on Monday after he admitted illegally paying his spy chief $15 million in government funds.
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.
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
July 15, 2009
Talks on Honduran crisis to resume – Toppled Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was urged to be patient as negotiators get ready to try again to resolve the nation’s leadership crisis.
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.
July 14, 2009
For Some Latinos, Hearing Is Believing – Sotomayor’s Ascension Trickles Down – Watch video here
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)
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
July 1, 2009
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.
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
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
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
June 24, 2009
SENATORS URGE SETTLEMENT IN USDA DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT BY HISPANIC FARMERS – Senators applaud settlement of similar suit by black farmers, say it is time to settle with Hispanic farmers
June 23, 2009
Top Obama Administration Officials to Engage Latino Leaders on Critical Policy Issues in Los Angeles This Week – NALEO Conference June 25-27
Sotomayor Nomination Close To A Done Deal, 70 Votes Predicted
June 21, 2009
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s future, once bright, looks dimmer now
June 20, 2009
New U.S. border czar Alan Bersin tours domain in Arizona
June 19, 2009
President Barack Obama says he is committed to a comprehensive immigration overhaul that includes a way that illegal immigrants can become U.S. citizens – at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference.
June 16, 2009
Cautious Optimism Despite Another Delay in White House Immigration Reform Talks
June 15, 2009
So The Time Isn’t Now Then? : Obama Postpones Immigration Reform Meeting…..Again
President Barack Obama has selected far more Hispanics for his administration than any previous U.S. president, a stark reminder of the increasing clout of the nation’s fast-growing and largest minority group.
June 11, 2009
Latino-Black Rivalry Helped Fuel G.O.P.’s Takeover of New York State Senate – re: Pedro Espada Jr. new president of the Senate and Hiram Monserrate
June 5, 2009
Carlos Pascual nominated as U.S. ambassador to Mexico – The Cuban-born diplomat, an expert in ‘failed states,’ would take over one of the largest American embassies and confront a host of complex bilateral issues.
June 4, 2009
Nevada Senator and Majority Leader Harry Reid wants immigration bill this year
Cuba Readmitted To OAS “Without Conditions”
June 3, 2009
Americans have a more favorable first impression of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor than they did for any of President George W. Bush’s choices for the high court, according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll.
Sotomayor makes more rounds on Capitol Hill
June 2, 2009
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa dating another newscaster former San Antonio broadcaster Lu Parker now with KTLA Channel 5
Sotomayor hits Capitol Hill as confirmation process begins
May 31, 2009
Two sides to Sonia Sotomayor – The passion for minority rights that she showed from Princeton onward is scarcely reflected in a review of her judicial decisions. So which way would she lean on the Supreme Court?
May 29, 2009
LABOR SECRETARY HILDA SOLIS REVERSES BUSH’S ATTACK ON FARMWORKER LABOR LAWS – Groups applaud the suspension of a policy that slashes wages, worker protections
May 28, 2009
A Hispanic Roman Catholic theologian who was an adviser to Barack Obama’s presidential campaign will be nominated to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, the White House announced Wednesday. Miguel H. Diaz
May 27, 2009
Latino differences muted in Sonya Sotomayor celebration
May 26, 2009
President Obama will nominate Judge Sonia Sotomayor of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit as his first appointment to the court – could be the first Hispanic justice to serve on the Supreme Court
May 18, 2009
The United States Abandons the “War on Drugs” Model at Home, Exports It to Mexico – US House and Senate Pass New Military Aid to Mexico
May 14, 2009
Inside Barack Obama’s Hispanic strategy
Hispanics See Stars Aligned on High Court – For President, Diversity Is One Of Many Factors
May 11, 2009
Naturalized citizens are poised to reshape California’s political landscape – The increase in naturalized Asian and Latino citizens — 300,000 people took the oath of allegiance in 2008 — could alter the state’s policy priorities for years to come
May 6, 2009
Appointing Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court might soothe frayed Hispanic nerves, writes New America Media contributor Gebe Martinez, but legal conservatives do not believe that President Obama should give importance to a diverse life experience in making his choice.
April 30, 2009
Unless it is contained shortly, the Mexican swine flu outbreak that is sounding alarm bells across the world is likely to have long-term economic, law enforcement and political consequences on both sides of the U.S.-Mexican border.
April 27, 2009
Forced to slash their budgets, some California counties are eliminating nonemergency health services for illegal immigrants — a move that officials acknowledge could backfire by shifting the financial burden to emergency rooms.
President Rafael Correa Triumphs in Ecuador, and Thereby Becomes One of Latin America’s Most Successful Political Figures
April 9, 2009
While acknowledging that the recession makes the political battle more difficult, President Obama plans to begin addressing the country’s immigration system this year, including looking for a path for illegal immigrants to become legal, a senior administration official said on Wednesday.
April 7, 2009
Latinos Pursuing Dream of U.S. Citizenship Help Set Naturalization Record in 2008 – Dramatic increase in Latino naturalized citizens reflects success of ya es hora campaign
April 2, 2009
Saying traditional census outreach will not be enough, Hispanic groups on Wednesday urged the Obama administration to follow through now on its pledge to pass immigration reform or risk an undercount of millions of people.
April 1, 2009
Ban on travel to Cuba may be lifted – A bipartisan group of senators says Congress is ready to pass legislation to allow all Americans to visit Cuba. Supporters say the move would create thousands of jobs.
March 26, 2009
Secretary of State Clinton reaches out to Mexico – She is 1st in wave of U.S. leaders traveling to discuss drugs, trade, migration
With Mexico in the headlines of late, President Obama will talk directly to a massive Hispanic aud when he makes an historic appearance on “Premio Lo Nuestro,” Univision’s longest-running and most popular music awards show on Thursday.
March 23, 2009
President Obama is finalizing plans to move federal agents, equipment and other resources to the border with Mexico to support Mexican President Felipe Calderón’s campaign against violent drug cartels, according to U.S. security officials.
President Barack Obama said last week that he wants to follow through on his promise to fix the immigration system. But that goal, always politically difficult, faces major hurdles: the crumbling economy, drug violence in Mexico, and a jam-packed agenda already facing Congress.
March 20, 2009
Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida, the former Republican Party chairman who vividly remembers the “variety of names” conservatives called him because of his work on immigrant rights, is readying for another big brawl over the issue of immigration.
March 19, 2009
Hispanic Caucus Says Obama Will Back Its Push For Overhaul Measure This Year
The U.S. government knew that top Guatemalan officials it supported with arms and cash were behind the disappearance of thousands of people during a 36-year civil war, declassified documents obtained by a U.S. research institute show.
U.S. officials are assessing the cost of new Mexican tariffs that take effect Thursday in retaliation for a U.S. decision to cancel a cross-border program that gave Mexican truckers access to their northern neighbor’s highways. The tariffs affect about $2.4 billion in annual trade and 89 U.S. products
March 18, 2009
US President Barack Obama will visit Mexico next month amid mounting US concern over Mexican drug cartel violence that is spilling over its southern border, officials said Wednesday.
A former Bush White House aide was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison on Wednesday for stealing nearly $600,000 from a government-funded program that promotes democracy in Cuba. Felipe Sixto apologized for stealing from the Center for a Free Cuba
March 17, 2009
Hispanic Democrats – Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) – will have their first West Wing meeting with President Obama on Wednesday morning to discuss immigration reform, according to Democratic sources.
Mexico slapped tariffs on 90 American agricultural and manufactured exports on Monday in retaliation for Washington’s move to block Mexican trucks from using U.S. highways
March 16, 2009
A leftist television journalist has won El Salvador’s presidential election, bringing a party of former guerrillas to power for the first time since a bloody civil war and ending two decades of conservative rule.
March 14, 2009
Sec. Napolitano’s staff non-compliance with Freedom of Information Act requests results in lawsuit
March 12, 2009
President Obama weighed in Wednesday on the escalating drug war on the U.S.-Mexico border, saying that he was looking at possibly deploying National Guard troops to contain the violence but ruled out any immediate military move.
March 11, 2009
Showdown on Cuba policy not over yet – Congress OK’d a bill making it easier for Americans to trade with and travel to Cuba. The White House says it will not enforce the changes. The lawmaker who wrote the amendments vows to fight.
March 10, 2009
By a slim 5-4 decision the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to limit minority voting provisions under the Voting Rights Act.
March 9, 2009
Obama Says Hola To a More Inclusive Press Strategy
March 4, 2009
Univision Anchor Jorge Ramos Admonishes Obama on immigration
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wins second term as L.A. mayor – first Hispanic mayor in more than a century
February 24, 2009
Hilda Solis Confirmed As Labor Secretary By Senate
February 16, 2009
As drug violence spirals out of control in Mexico, a commission led by three former Latin American heads of state blasted the U.S.-led drug war as a failure that is pushing Latin American societies to the breaking point.
February 1, 2009
After decade in power, Chávez aims to keep it – Monday is the 10th anniversary of Hugo Chávez’s rise to power, and Venezuelan voters will soon decide whether he can keep on running.
January 29, 2009
Hopeful RNC Chairman Chip Saltsman’s Other Song – The Star Spanglish Banner
The lawyers for over 600 American born children filed a lawsuit against President Obama to suspend the deportation of their undocumented parents until there is immigration law reform.
January 23, 2009
Gala latina en homenaje a Obama termina en desorden
January 21, 2009
Arizona’s only Latino governor reflects on career – Raul H. Castro
Is a Mexico collapse wishful thinking by people who want to militarize the border?
Hispanics greet Barack Obama’s presidency with optimism
Obama’s Immigration agenda on new WhiteHouse.gov’s website
Latino, Citizenship inaugural galas: Partying with a purpose
January 19, 2009
Hispanic stars wow inaugural gala – Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Wilmer Valderrama, Tony Plana, Lila Downs, George Lopez, Rosie Perez, Angelica Vale and more
January 16, 2009
Hispanics and the New Administration – Immigration Slips as a Top Priority – Pew Hispanic Report
January 15, 2009
The Obama administration’s nominee for Interior secretary, U.S. Senator Ken Salazar, today sailed through his confirmation hearing.
January 4, 2009
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has withdrawn his name from consideration as commerce secretary for President-elect Barack Obama, citing an ongoing investigation about business dealings in his state.
December 30, 2008
Latino Inaugural Gala 2009 info and tickets
December 20, 2008
Three Hispanics among hopefuls for Ken Salazar’s Senate post in Colorado – Henry Solano, John Salazar & Federico Peña
December 19, 2008
Miami Cuban American Frank Jimenez nominated for Florida Supreme Court
Rep. Hilda L. Solis (D-El Monte), a Congressional Hispanic Caucus leader considered to be one of the most reliably pro-union voices in the House, is President-elect Barack Obama’s choice to head the Labor Department, a Democratic official said Thursday.
December 18, 2008
Cabinet picks help, hurt Hispanics political gains – leaves the Senate with a shrinking Hispanic caucus. And it underscores a paradox that underlies Obama’s historic election: Minorities remain underrepresented in Congress. Hispanics, now the nation’s largest minority group, are 14.7% of the population, but hold only 5% of the seats in the current Congress.
December 17, 2008
Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) will remain in Congress as vice chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and will not join the Obama administration as its lead trade negotiator, Becerra announced Tuesday.
Facing pressure to appoint more Hispanics to high-profile slots, President-elect Barack Obama is considering Miami-Dade Aviation Director José Abreu for a leadership post in the federal Department of Transportation.
Obama team claims record on Hispanic appointments
December 15, 2008
Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), a Latino with deep knowledge of water and land issues, is President-elect Barack Obama’s choice to lead the Interior Department. Two senior Democrats confirmed Monday that Obama will name Salazar to the post, rounding out an energy and environmental policy team announced at a Chicago news conference.
U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez said he’s taken himself out of the running to fill the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
PBS’ ‘Chávez’ Web Debut Proves Profitable – Frontline documentary on Venezualan leader a bilingual hit online – (video, Hugo Chavez)
December 12, 2008
Colorado Democratic Rep. John Salazar says he’s been appointed to the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which all but eliminates him from consideration to be secretary of agriculture.
December 9, 2008
UC Santa Cruz senior Danielle Soto follows family footsteps in politics – The 22-year-old environmental studies major will be sworn into the Pomona City Council on Dec. 13, just two days after her last final. – granddaughter of the late Philip Soto one of the first two Latinos elected to the California Assembly in 1962
Rep. Hilda Solis (Calif.) is strongly considering a bid for the Democratic Caucus vice chairmanship if the position becomes available with the departure of her home-state colleague, Rep. Xavier Becerra, according to sources.
East L.A., Latino heartland, revives its dream of cityhood – More than 30 years after the last attempt, the chances of success seem higher.
A Self-Leaking Nominee? Adolfo Carrion Jr. for a cabinet post? :: Bronx Borough President, Democrat of Puerto Rican descent, serves as president of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials(NALEO) + a not to complimentary website adolfocarrion.com
December 8, 2008
Adolfo Carrion Jr. revealed in New Haven Friday night that he’s being nominated for a top post in the incoming Obama administraiton. – said he received a call that day from President-Elect Barack Obama’s transition team informing that he will be nominated for a Cabinet post. He mentioned that he had been discussing four departments with the team: Housing and Urban Development (HUD), transportation, small business, and education. But he was already reported to be a finalist for one of those slots, director of HUD
December 5, 2008
A Latino inaugural ball? -there’s an effort to have an official Latino ball at a presidential Inauguration for the first time. Latino groups are excited about the prospect — but say they wish the inaugural committee would hurry up and decide.
The New Electoral Landscape and What It Means for Immigration Reform – Immigration Policy Center
Pedro Espada will take office as majority leader of the New York State Senate in January. – 33rd Senate District – Bronx, NYC
Ricardo Romo, president of the University of Texas at San Antonio, has been appointed by President George W. Bush to serve on a 23-member commission charged with exploring options for creating a national museum dedicated to American Latinos.
On Wednesday, Republican congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen got a call from President-elect Barack Obama, didn’t believe it was him, and hung up on him. Twice.
President-elect Barack Obama’s pick for commerce secretary, Bill Richardson, got a warm welcome Thursday during a visit to Mexico, where government officials said they doubted Obama would follow through on a campaign pledge to re-negotiate NAFTA.
Hoping to boost Latino representation in President-elect Barack Obama’s administration, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus pushed a slate of candidates for Cabinet and agency posts Wednesday.
December 3, 2008
Philadelphia judge on Obama’s short list for HUD secretary – Nelson Diaz
Congressional Hispanic Caucus wants Reps. John Salazar (D-Colo.) for secretary of Agriculture, Ruben Hinojosa (D-Texas) for secretary of Education, Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) for secretary of Interior, Hilda Solis (D-Calif.) for Environmental Protection Agency administrator and Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) for secretary of Labor.
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Monday announced the appointment of Dean Martinez as the state’s first Latino deputy governor in the state’s history.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson will be named President-elect Barack Obama’s Commerce Secretary at a Chicago press conference
U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez’s announcement Tuesday that he will not run for reelection set off a political free-for-all throughout Florida, as a slew of would-be successors began jockeying for position in the state’s marquee race in 2010.
Representative Xavier Becerra, a California Democrat who once declared U.S. trade policy was broken completely, has been offered the job of President-elect Barack Obama’s top trade official, two Democrats close to the transition office said.
December 2, 2008
President-elect Barack Obama continued rounding out his White House staff naming Cecilia Muñoz director of intergovernmental affairs.
Antonio Villaraigosa says he won’t join Obama administration The mayor says he plans to stay in Los Angeles and focus on his reelection campaign and the city’s pressing issues.
The 2010 Senate election cycle has barely started, but the Democrats’ top target has already emerged: Republican Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida.
A new report by the Government Accountability Office says representation of women and people of color in the senior corps grew overall between October 2000 and September 2007, but not at all agencies. Representation at the departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services fell in certain categories, and sometimes those dives were steep. At Education, for example, the percentage of African American men dropped sharply, from 13.3 percent to 4.5 percent. Hispanic men disappeared altogether, from a nearly invisible 1.7 percent in 2000 to zero last year. There were no Latinas among the executives at either point.
Sides get set to lobby Barack Obama for immigration policy changes Some activists oppose detentions and deportations; others seek hiring restrictions and border control
The Next Supreme Court Justice? Push for the Nation’s First Hispanic Underway
Anita Alvarez sworn in as Illinois state’s attorney – She is 1st woman and 1st Hispanic to hold top Cook County prosecutor’s post
November 28, 2008
Hispanics Playing Key Roles on Obama’s Transition Team – About 30 Hispanics are currently participating in the team that is preparing the way for Obama
November 25, 2008
Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, was appointed Tuesday to head the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the political organization charged with helping to elect Democratic senators.
President-elect Barack Obama has chosen New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to be commerce secretary, adding a prominent Hispanic and one-time Democratic rival to his expanding Cabinet.
November 21, 2008
Venezuela prepares for elections
Border leaders unveil in-depth recommendations for border security and challenges government to ignore them this time
Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, already under consideration for a high-level job with the Obama administration, doesn’t need another award to bolster his resume. He’s getting one anyway. U.S. News & World Report, in a piece posted Thursday on the magazine website, names Diaz among 24 people honored as ”America’s Best Leaders” for 2008.
November 20, 2008
Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano tapped as new Homeland Security chief – The vocal immigration reformer brings border-state experience to the post.
Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez (D-N.Y.) Chosen to Lead Hispanic Agenda in the 111th Congress – Unanimously elected Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
November 19, 2008
President-elect Barack Obama has named Cruz Reynoso, a former California Supreme Court justice, to one of his teams. Reynoso, a UC Davis law professor and internationally recognized civil rights leader, has been appointed to Obama’s Justice and Civil Rights Agency Review
Participará Mario Molina en el equipo de transición de Obama – El mexicano premio Nobel de Química participará como co-director del equipo de transición del gobierno del reciente presidente electo de EU.
Joining President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team – Mario Molina, professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UCSD, will help spearhead a group looking at the nation’s science and technology policies. Molina won the 1995 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his research examining the threat posed by chlorofluorocarbon gases, or CFCs, to the Earth’s ozone layer.
November 18, 2008
Gov. Janet Napolitano has tapped Brig. Gen. Hugo E. Salazar as the next adjutant general of the Arizona National Guard, making him the first Hispanic to hold the state’s top military post.
Chicago’s Congressman Luis Gutierrez says he’s interested in Obama’s Senate seat
November 12, 2008
Bill Richardson Gets Backing For Secretary of State Post
Critics cry foul over DPS license checkpoint plan – Some lawmakers say stops would unfairly target illegal immigrants – Texas
Miami Mayor Manny Diaz — engineer of downtown’s building boom, president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, supporter of President-elect Barack Obama — may soon add a new title for his résumé: member of Obama’s administration.
November 11, 2008
Hispanic Cabinet Members? Claro Que Si.
Cuban American Senator Mel Martinez Slams Anti-Immigration Rhetoric In Republican Party
November 10, 2008
Barack Obama’s Transition Economic Advisory Board includes 2 Latinos: Roel Campos (former SEC commissioner) and Antonio Villaraigosa (mayor, City of Los Angeles)
November 7, 2008
Weeks before Barack Obama won the presidency, he met privately in Washington with his former Democratic rival, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, and Latino political leaders who had fervently backed her bid. The cards were laid upon the table, according to one of the participants. The Hispanic leaders said they expected at least two Latinos to be named to an Obama Cabinet — meeting the standard set by President-elect Bill Clinton in 1992 — but preferred three.
President-elect Barack Obama has looked to South Texas where he selected University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College President Juliet V. Garcia to join his transition team
November 6, 2008
Miami’s three Cuban-American congressional Republicans staved off the most serious challenges of their careers Tuesday, crushing Democratic hopes of making major inroads in the traditionally Republican Hispanic community – Reps. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Mario Diaz-Balart & Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Big Turnout of Latino Voters Boosted Obama – Clout of Fastest-Growing U.S. Demographic Group Is Seen Even Outside of Traditional Hispanic Strongholds
Hispanic women (aka Latinas) swell ranks of Obama support – Focus on education, health care, economy led to wide margin
President-elect Barack Obama is expected to name Washington, D.C. lawyer Henry Rivera, a Democrat, to head a transition team focused on the Federal Communications Commission, according to informed sources.
November 5, 2008
Obama’s Spanish ad suggests great acting skills
About two-thirds of Hispanics voted for Obama, decisively surpassing the 53 percent who voted for Democrat John Kerry in 2004, exit polls showed. That year Bush enjoyed a high-water mark of GOP support from Hispanics with 44 percent of the vote from the nation’s fastest growing ethnic group
October 27, 2008
Diversity among Hispanics presents challenge for presidential campaigns – Florida
October 24, 2008
Diaz-Balart secures $2M contract for firm that sold spy gear to Caracas – Miami Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart secured a $2 million contract for a firm that did business with Venezuela.
October 23, 2008
McCain Is Faltering Among Hispanic Voters
Hispanic Voters Divided by Religion – Catholics and those who attend church less often are most supportive of Obama
Radio host, a new citizen, stirs Latino voters – Eddie Sotelo, known as “Piolin,” or Tweety Bird.
October 22, 2008
US Rep. Joe Baca of California makes Esquire Magazine’s “10 Worst Members of Congress” for being “corrupt and venal” – (click through slide show to #8 of 11 – ouch!)
October 20, 2008
Obama exclusive: 2 to 1 Hispanic support – The motherlode is the Hispanic vote in the United States, estimated to represent one out of every eight in the next election. So much depends on where Hispanics stand. To gauge their support in the Nov. 4 election, I interviewed Alberto Vourvoulias-Bush, Executive Editor of El Diario/La Prensa located in Brooklyn, New York which is the fastest-growing Spanish-language daily in the U.S.
Una encuesta exclusiva realizada para El Tiempo Latino revela que la tendencia del voto hispano en el área favorece al candidato demócrata Barack Obama para las elecciones presidenciales del 4 de noviembre. De los 502 latinos entrevistados, el 85,2% dijo que votaría a Obama y el 14,8% al republicano John McCain.
October 19, 2008
Spanish ads pit McCain, Obama against each other – Most of the nation is mostly unaware of battle for the Hispanic vote in crucial states
Miami’s Diaz-Balarts face first real challenge – U.S. Reps. Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart vs. Raul Martinez, the ex-mayor of Hialeah, and Joe Garcia, a former head of a national Cuban-American group
October 17, 2008
‘Latinos ‘08′: A Split Ticket PBS Documentary challenges a premise of such efforts — the assumption that the Latino vote is a monolithic bloc that can be appealed to and delivered as one. The film commits an even more refreshing heresy: It questions whether the Latino vote really is as critical as everyone says it is.
October 15, 2008
A San Francisco Superior Court judge ruled Tuesday that the city’s plan to issue municipal identification cards to residents regardless of immigration status does not violate state and federal law.
A look at immigration issues among Hispanic voters
October 9, 2008
Presidential Debates Ignore 12 Million Elephants in the Room, Bypass Immigration
October 7, 2008
The Latino Vote: Courting an Increasingly Sophisticated Community – Mickey Ibarra
With the presidential election a month away, a new PBS documentary “Latinos ‘08,” examines how supporters of Barack Obama and John McCain are trying to mobilize Latinos, a group seen as less cohesive than other ethnic voter blocs, according to a statement issued by the producers.
New Survey Shows Significant Numbers of Latino Voters Still Persuadable in Battleground States
October 6, 2008
Issues such as immigration, economy have Hispanic evangelical voters facing dilemma
The contest between incumbent U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart and former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez has drawn national attention because it is expected to be close, and because it is colorful. – Economics to decide matchup
October 2, 2008
Candid Obama urges Hispanic voters to flex their muscles – With New Mexico among the Democrats’ key target states, campaigners know a strong turnout from traditional voters is crucial to success on November 4
October 1, 2008
Rep. Joe Baca used his growing clout in Washington to swing enough votes in the House to defeat the $700 billion financial bailout bill. The Rialto Democrat and chairman of the House Hispanic Caucus said enough caucus members followed his no vote that if they had voted in favor of the bill it would have passed by one vote.
A New Latino Mix – Florida’s electorate gets more complex. Who benefits?
September 30, 2008
How our Hispanic Congressional Reps voted on the Bailout Package (18 No & 8 Yes) :: H.R.3997 – Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
September 29, 2008
Latino voters a force in Colorado’s Senate race
September 27, 2008
A new poll released Friday shows that Sen. Barack Obama is leading Sen. John McCain 2-to-1 among Hispanics in swing states — including Florida, where the Democrat holds a slight edge.
No Latinos among debate monitors?
September 26, 2008
Bush’s Last Latin America Initiative, the Path that Should Have Been
September 25, 2008
Ya Es Hora Campaign Launches Latest Phase of Historic Latino Voter Mobilization Efforts; Distributes Nearly 1 Million Voter Registration Cards – Multi-Phase Campaign Transitions This Week from Citizenship Drive to Engaging New Citizens to Register and Vote
September 24, 2008
Latino vote emerges as swing vote in Colorado
Hispanic Vote May Tip The Balance In Colorado
