A mariachi's journey is the ballad of a lifetime

A most unique story by LA Times columnist Steve Lopez about the Marquez family from Southern California and the performance of "Danzon #2" by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, a piece written by Arturo Marquez.

A mariachi's journey is the ballad of a lifetime - latimes.com

Md. legislation proposes in-state tuition benefits for some undocumented students

A bill is being proposed to the Maryland state legislature by state senator Victor R. Ramirez, which would offer undocumented students in the state the possibility of paying in-state tuition at state universities. An estimated 250,000 students would benefit.

According to the Washington Post:

"We're working backwards," said Ramirez, who previously introduced the in-state tuition benefit in the House of Delegates and now plans to do so in the Senate. "We have said, 'You can go to school for 12 years' - we have invested in you for 12 years, and when that investment is ripe for the picking, we say, 'No more.' "

A similar bill was passed by the General Assembly in 2003 but was vetoed by Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. If it is approved by the legislature again, Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) is expected to take a more sympathetic view, the measure's supporters say.

Md. legislation proposes in-state tuition benefits for some illegal immigrants

Immigration overhaul: President Obama's push for reform appears dead

More press coverage speculating on the specific priorities of the Republican Party and influential legislators who will be heading key committees.


Immigration overhaul: President Obama's push for reform appears dead - latimes.com

Passing of DREAM Act is very unlikely in next Congress, Republicans say

Republican leaders are stating that they are unwilling to consider any type of amnesty, including the DREAM Act, until the nation's borders are secure.

This is an argument that has been made repeatedly over the past decades.

It is also a convenient excuse to avoid developing any true policy alternative that takes into account the structural factors that create a continuing demand for foreign labor.

From such a perspective it apparently does not matter that millions of people are left in the shadows of American democracy and justice.


Passing of DREAM Act is very unlikely in next Congress, Republicans say

With census growth, Hispanic groups target redistricting to up political clout

The demographic changes documented by the 2010 Census will lead to a redistricting process. Latinos have grown in number and their presence has increased in strategic states. Civil rights organizations like MALDEF and PLDEF have met recently to develop a plan that can also result in increased Latino electoral influence and political power.

With census growth, Hispanic groups target redistricting to up political clout

What did the 2010 US Census say about America?

The national population has grown to over 308 million. Most of the recent growth has been due to increased births (17 million) and less from immigration (10 million).

80% of the population growth has come from minority groups. Latinos had the greatest gains.

What did the 2010 US Census say about America? - The Curious Capitalist - TIME.com

U.S. gun dealers with the most firearms traced over the past four years

The increased drug-related violence that is affecting Mexican society cannot be explained without taking into account the massive smuggling into Mexico of US-sold weapons. As this Washington Post article illustrates, thousands of guns used in drug-related crimes and homicides in Mexico can be traced directly to specific US gunshops. Moreover, little is actually being done to curtail this aspect of the drug problem.


U.S. gun dealers with the most firearms traced over the past four years

Immigration Vote Leaves Obama Policy in Disarray - NYTimes.com

The Dream Act has been rejected by the US Senate. It received only 55 of the necessary 60 votes. 5 Democratic senators opposed the bill and only 3 Republicans favored it.

The decision is not only a serious setback to immigrant youth, but to President Obama's strategy as well. He has emphasized increased enforcement and deportations and obtained no support from Republicans even for a bill that many had considered the most likely to be passed.


Immigration Vote Leaves Obama Policy in Disarray - NYTimes.com

Visualizing Slavery - NYTimes.com

Amazing map offered by the NY Times, documenting the extent of slavery in the United States during the pre-Civil War era.


Visualizing Slavery - NYTimes.com

California's Ailing Republicans: A Dying Breed?

A Huffington Post article detailing the electoral decline of the Republican Party, which has lost nearly all state-wide races since 2002.

One of the factors influencing this trend has been the extremist positions the party and its candidates have taken on a number of issues, which makes a party leader say that the GOP is a tarnished brand.

Another factor is the chaning demographics in the state, which includes the rise of the Latino population.

The complete article:


California's Ailing Republicans: A Dying Breed?

Temporary Blues: November 2010 Election Only a Momentary Setback for Democrats

An insightful analysis of the November 2010 election seen within the changing context of demography and partisan voting trends.

Author Dylan Loewe correctly points out that the demographic support for each of the two parties differs significantly and that the Democratic base and potential support is and will be much greater in the forthcoming years. Key in this process is the continued growth of the Latino population, which continues to be alienated by sectors of the Republican party.

The full article:

Temporary Blues | The American Prospect

MSNBC's The Ed Show: Obama Needs to Get Tougher

An interesting clip from the Ed Show.

Do Democrats owe their hold on the Senate to Hispanic voters?

Now a Washington Post article on the same issue of the Latino influence on Tuesday's election:

Do Democrats owe their hold on the Senate to Hispanic voters?

Did Polls Underestimate Democrats' Latino Vote? - NYTimes.com

Another article pointing out the potentially vital role played by Latino voters and the flaws in most of the mainstream polls that exclude bilingual informants:

Did Polls Underestimate Democrats' Latino Vote? - NYTimes.com

Latino voters played key role in California races, other national contests, survey finds

Latino advocates argue that Latino voters played decisive roles in victories achieved by Democratic candidates in California, Nevada and other states. It is suggested that the pro-immigration reform position adopted by those candidates earned them the support of Latino voters. It is also pointed out that Latino candidates, democratic and republican, had important triumphs, including Susana Martinez in her race for New Mexico governor.

The complete article:

Latino voters played key role in California races, other national contests, survey finds

Prison Economics Help Drive Ariz. Immigration Law : NPR

A National Public Radio report explores the roots of the infamous Arizona SB 1070 law, which is one of the most extremist anti-immigrant laws in the nation. The report finds that the law has its origins and was driven by the private prison industry, which saw the potential incarceration of undocumented immigrants as a lucrative opportunity.

A fundamental role in this process was played by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), which includes powerful corporations like Reynolds American, Exxon, and includes Corrections Corporation of America, "the largest private prison company in the country". Among the members is also Arizona State senator Russell Pearce, who introduced the bill.

Funding was channeled to the campaign and to supportive legislators.

The report can be found here:


Prison Economics Help Drive Ariz. Immigration Law : NPR

Carly No Es Mi Amiga (Carly Fiorina Is Not My Friend)

Lou Dobbs, American Hypocrite | The Nation

The Nation magazine has just released an article, written by Isabel Macdonald, which provides evidence that one of the nation's most vociferous critics of undocumented immigration, Lou Dobbs, has knowingly been employing undocumented workers for years to perform various tasks at his mansions.

Macdonald interviewed five such workers during the course of the year-long investigation.

The complete article:

Lou Dobbs, American Hypocrite | The Nation

Former Whitman housekeeper alleges she was treated like 'garbage"

California Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman was accused today by Nicandra Diaz, an undocumented immigrant employed as a housekeeper for nine years, of mistreatment and abuse.

The revelation is sure to influence the ongoing process of an already close race with former governor Jerry Brown.

Diaz is being represented by Gloria Allred, who has drawn attention to numerous attention-grabbing cases.

Additional revelations about Diaz' experiences as an emloyee of the Whitman household are expected.

The complete article from the LA Times:

Former Whitman housekeeper alleges she was treated like 'garbage'| PolitiCal | Los Angeles Times

Paul Krugman: Downhill With the G.O.P.

In this article Nobel Prize Winner Paul Krugman examines the Republican Party's "Pledge to America", focusing on the fiscal implications of the document.

In addition to pointing out that the document is at war with arithmetic, Krugman observes that, more than anything else, it reflects the vision of conservative intellectual Irving Kristol.

The late Irving Kristol, one of the intellectual godfathers of modern conservatism, once wrote frankly about why he threw his support behind tax cuts that would worsen the budget deficit: his task, as he saw it, was to create a Republican majority, “so political effectiveness was the priority, not the accounting deficiencies of government.” In short, say whatever it takes to gain power. That’s a philosophy that now, more than ever, holds sway in the movement Kristol helped shape.

Krugman concludes:

Realistically, though, Republicans aren’t going to have the power to enact their true agenda any time soon — if ever. Remember, the Bush administration’s attack on Social Security was a fiasco, despite its large majority in Congress — and it actually increased Medicare spending.

So the clear and present danger isn’t that the G.O.P. will be able to achieve its long-run goals. It is, rather, that Republicans will gain just enough power to make the country ungovernable, unable to address its fiscal problems or anything else in a serious way. As I said, banana republic, here we come.

The link to the article:

Op-Ed Columnist - Downhill With the G.O.P. - NYTimes.com

Video of Stephen Colbert Testifying in Congress About Immigrant Farmworkers in America

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Stephen Colbert To Testify Before Congress On Immigration; Today's Episode of Colbert Report to Cover His Work in Agriculture

Television personality, comedian, and faux conservative, Stephen Colbert, apparently will testify in US congressional hearings on immigration. He is scheduled to join United Farmworkers Union (UFW) president, Arturo Rodriguez, in the calls for an AgJobs program.

Earlier this summer, Colbert participated in the UFW's "Take Our Jobs" campaign, designed to draw attention to the agricultural industry's dependence on an undocumented immigrant labor force. Colbert spent a day performing farm labor and that experience will be aired today in the Colbert Report.

The complete note on the Huffington Post:


Stephen Colbert To Testify Before Congress On Immigration

GOP Battle Plan: Deprive Rivals of Cash

The potential GOP victory at the polls in the November election is leading them to consider different strategies to reverse the reforms that have been implemented by a US Congress under the control of the Democratic Party. Among the targets: the recently approved health-care overhaul.

As the Wall Street Journal article indicates, a preferred strategy is to deny funding to opposed programs.

The complete article:

GOP Battle Plan: Deprive Rivals of Cash - WSJ.com

Poverty Rates Increase for the Nation as a Whole, for Hispanics, for Foreign-Born

The Bureau of the Census released the following data regarding poverty in the nation (all numbers in thousands):

People in Poverty
2008 38,829 million (13.2% of national pop.).
2009 43,569 million (14.3% of national pop.).

Hispanic Origin in Poverty
2008 10,987 (23.2% of pop.).
2009 12,350 (25.3% of pop.).

Foreign Born in Poverty
2008 6,536 (17.8% of pop.).
2009 7,162 (19.0% of pop.).

http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/pdf/cb10-144_tableb.pdf

New Census Report: Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009

A new Bureau of the Census report with the latest socio-economic data:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: THURSDAY, SEPT. 16, 2010

Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009

Summary of Key Findings

The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that real median household income in the United States in 2009 was $49,777, not statistically different from the 2008 median.

The nation's official poverty rate in 2009 was 14.3 percent, up from 13.2 percent in 2008 — the second statistically significant annual increase in the poverty rate since 2004. There were 43.6 million people in poverty in 2009, up from 39.8 million in 2008 — the third consecutive annual increase.

Meanwhile, the number of people without health insurance coverage rose from 46.3 million in 2008 to 50.7 million in 2009, while the percentage increased from 15.4 percent to 16.7 percent over the same period.

These findings are contained in the report Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009. The following results for the nation were compiled from information collected in the 2010 Current Population Survey (CPS) Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC):

Income

Race and Hispanic Origin (Race data refer to people reporting a single race only. Hispanics can be of any race.)

• Among race groups, Asian households had the highest median income in 2009. Real median income declined between 2008 and 2009 for non-Hispanic white and black households, while the changes for Asian and Hispanic-origin households were not statistically different. (See Table A [PDF].

Regions

• In 2009, households in the West and Northeast had the highest median household incomes. (The apparent difference between the two regions was not statistically significant.) Real median income declined between 2008 and 2009 in the Midwest and West; the changes for the Northeast and South were not statistically significant. (See Table A [PDF].

Nativity

• In 2009, households maintained by naturalized citizens had the highest median income. Native-born households and those maintained by noncitizens experienced income declines from 2008 to 2009, in real terms. The changes in the median income of all foreign-born households and households maintained by a naturalized citizen were not statistically significant. (See Table A [PDF].

Earnings

• In 2009, the earnings of women who worked full time, year-round were 77 percent of that for corresponding men, not statistically different from the 2008 ratio.
• The real median earnings of men who worked full time, year-round rose by 2.0 percent between 2008 and 2009, from $46,191 to $47,127. For women, the corresponding increase was 1.9 percent, from $35,609 to $36,278. (The difference between the 2.0 and 1.9 percent increases was not statistically significant.)

Income Inequality

• The change in income inequality between 2008 and 2009 was not statistically significant, as measured by shares of aggregate household income by quintiles and the Gini index. The Gini index was 0.468 in 2009. (The Gini index is a measure of household income inequality; 0 represents perfect income equality and 1 perfect inequality.)

Poverty

• The poverty rate in 2009 was the highest since 1994, but was 8.1 percentage points lower than the poverty rate in 1959, the first year for which poverty estimates are available. The number of people in poverty in 2009 is the largest number in the 51 years for which poverty estimates are available.
• In 2009, the family poverty rate and the number of families in poverty were 11.1 percent and 8.8 million, respectively, up from 10.3 percent and 8.1 million in 2008.
• The poverty rate and the number in poverty increased across all types of families: married-couple families (5.8 percent and 3.4 million in 2009 from 5.5 percent and 3.3 million in 2008); female-householder-with-no-husband-present families (29.9 percent and 4.4 million in 2009 from 28.7 percent and 4.2 million in 2008) and for male-householder-no-wife-present families (16.9 percent and 942,000 in 2009 from 13.8 percent and 723,000 in 2008).

Thresholds

• As defined by the Office of Management and Budget and updated for inflation using the Consumer Price Index, the weighted average poverty threshold for a family of four in 2009 was $21,954. Since the average annual CPI-U for 2009 was lower than the average annual CPI-U for 2008, poverty thresholds for 2009 are slightly lower than the corresponding thresholds for 2008. (See <http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/cpstables/032010/pov/new35_000.htm> for the complete set of dollar value thresholds that vary by family size and composition.)

Race and Hispanic Origin (Race data refer to people reporting a single race only. Hispanics can be of any race.)

• The poverty rate for non-Hispanic whites was lower in 2009 than it was for other racial groups. The poverty rate is not statistically different from the 2008 poverty rate for Asians, but increased for all other race groups and for Hispanics. Table B [PDF] details 2009 poverty rates and numbers in poverty, as well as changes since 2008 in these measures, for race groups and Hispanics.

Age

• The poverty rate increased for children younger than 18 (from 19.0 percent in 2008 to 20.7 percent in 2009) and people 18 to 64 (from 11.7 percent in 2008 to 12.9 percent in 2009), while it declined for people 65 and older (from 9.7 percent in 2008 to 8.9 percent in 2009).
• Similar to the patterns observed for the poverty rate in 2009, the number of people in poverty increased for children younger than 18 (14.1 million in 2008 to 15.5 million in 2009) and people 18 to 64 (22.1 million in 2008 to 24.7 million in 2009) and declined for seniors 65 and older (from 3.7 million in 2008 to 3.4 million in 2009).

Nativity

• The 2009 poverty rate for naturalized citizens was not statistically different from 2008, while the poverty rates of native-born and noncitizens increased. Table B [PDF] details 2009 poverty rates and the numbers in poverty, as well as changes since 2008 in these measures, by nativity.

Regions

• The poverty rate increased from 2008 to 2009 in the Midwest, South and West while all four regions had increases in the number of people in poverty. (The 2009 poverty rate for the Northeast was not statistically different from its 2008 poverty rate.) See Table B [PDF].

Health Insurance Coverage

• The number of people with health insurance decreased from 255.1 million in 2008 to 253.6 million in 2009. Since 1987, the first year that comparable health insurance data were collected, this is the first year that the number of people with health insurance has decreased.
• Between 2008 and 2009, the number of people covered by private health insurance decreased from 201.0 million to 194.5 million, while the number covered by government health insurance climbed from 87.4 million to 93.2 million. The number covered by employment-based health insurance declined from 176.3 million to 169.7 million. The number with Medicaid coverage increased from 42.6 million to 47.8 million.
• Comparable health insurance data were first collected in 1987. The percentage of people covered by private insurance (63.9 percent) is the lowest since that year, as is the percentage of people covered by employment-based insurance (55.8 percent). In contrast, the percentage of people covered by government health insurance programs (30.6 percent) is the highest since 1987, as is the percentage covered by Medicaid (15.7 percent).
• In 2009, 10.0 percent (7.5 million) of children under 18 were without health insurance. Neither estimate is significantly different from the corresponding 2008 estimate.
• The uninsured rate for children in poverty (15.1 percent) was greater than the rate for all children.
• In 2009, the uninsured rates decreased as household income increased: from 26.6 percent for those in households with annual incomes less than $25,000 to 9.1 percent in households with incomes of $75,000 or more.

Race and Hispanic Origin (Race data refer to those reporting a single race only. Hispanics can be of any race.)

• The uninsured rate and number of uninsured in 2009 were not statistically different from 2008 for Asians while increasing for all other race groups and for Hispanics. See Table C [PDF].

Nativity

• The proportion of the foreign-born population without health insurance in 2009 was nearly two-and-a-half times that of the native-born population. The uninsured rate was not statistically different for naturalized citizens but rose for noncitizens and the native-born.
  Table C [PDF] details the 2009 uninsured rate and the number of uninsured, as well as changes since 2008 in these measures, by nativity.

Regions

• The Northeast had the lowest uninsured rate in 2009. Between 2008 and 2009, the uninsured rates and number of uninsured increased in all four regions. See Table C [PDF].

The Census Bureau's statistical experts, with assistance from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget, the Economics and Statistics Administration and other appropriate agencies and outside experts, are now developing a Supplemental Poverty Measure. The Supplemental Poverty Measure will provide an additional measure of economic well-being. It will not replace the official poverty measure and will not be used to determine eligibility for government programs. See Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009, for more information.

The Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement is subject to sampling and nonsampling errors. All comparisons made in the report have been tested and found to be statistically significant at the 90 percent confidence level, unless otherwise noted.

For additional information on the source of the data and accuracy of the estimates for the CPS, visit <http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/p60_238.pdf>.

Newsroom: Income & Wealth: Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009

Transmisión en Vivo de la Celebración del Bicentenario de la Independencia Mexicana

Ahora puedes encontrar en el sitio la transmisión en vivo de la celebración del bicentenario.

Felicidades al Pueblo Mexicano al Celebrar el Bicentenario de su Independencia!

Esta noche México celebra el bicentenario del movimiento independentista que inicio el cura Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla en el pueblo de Dolores, Guanajuato.

Felicidades a todo el pueblo mexicano, incluyendo a los que se encuentran fuera del territorio nacional pero recuerdan y reconocen la importancia de este evento histórico.

Increase in American Poverty Rates Expected

New Census reports will be issued next week and one of the expected developments will be the documentation of increases in the poverty rates in the nation, a consequence of the recession the nation is still going through. Some predictions point to the possibility that the poverty rate will rise to 15%, approaching the levels in existence in the 1960s, before the War on Poverty policies were implemented.

Let's keep in mind the origins of the recession and the pre-existing trend towards greater inequality in the nation before laying all the blame on the Democrats.

U.S. Student Became Mexico Drug Kingpin ‘La Barbie’ - NYTimes.com

A New York Times article examines the roots of Edgar Valdez Villarreal "La Barbie", from his middle class background in Laredo to the top of Mexican drug cartels.

U.S. Student Became Mexico Drug Kingpin ‘La Barbie’ - NYTimes.com

Piden crear Comision de Asuntos Migratorios

En respuesta a problemas graves, tales como el asesinato de 72 migrantes en Tamaulipas y aprobación de la ley SB 1070 en Arizona, el senador priista, Heladio Ramirez Lopez, ha presentado una iniciativa en el Senado de la República para que se establezca una Comisión de Asuntos Migratorios, la cual trabaje de manera explicita asuntos relacionados a este tema. En la actualidad, temas relacionados son abordados por diversas comisiones, incluyendo una sobre relaciones con Norteamérica.

Hay que señalar que el mismo problema existe a nivel de la Cámara de Diputados.

Asimismo, hay casos, como en Michoacán, donde el poder legislativo estatal ya estableció una Comisión de Asuntos Migratorios.

La nota completa:

Piden crear Comisi�n de Asuntos Migratorios - El Universal - M�xico

Video de Casa de "La Barbie" en el Estado de Mexico

Este vídeo de Milenio Diario muestra la casa en el Estado de México donde fue capturado el narcotraficante, Edgar Valdez Villarreal, mejor conocido como "La Barbie".

Choca trailer que transporta cuerpos de migrantes

Lo que faltaba:

El trailer que transportaba 56 cuerpos de los migrantes asesinados en Tamaulipas ha chocado contra dos vehículos al transitar por el Distrito Federal, rumbo a las instalaciones del Servicio Medico Forense.

La nota del Universal:

Choca tr�iler que transporta cuerpos de migrantes - El Universal - DF

Immigration Creates Jobs and Increases Income of US Workers: New Report by the NBER

A digest of the recently released report issued by the National Bureau of Economic Research, which finds that immigration creates jobs and adds to the income of US workers:

The Effect of Immigration on Productivity: Evidence from US States

A one percent increase in employment in a US state, attributable only to immigration, is associated with a 0.4-0.5 percent increase in income per worker in that state.

Immigration during the 1990s and the 2000s significantly increased the presence of foreign-born workers in the United States, but the increase was very unequal across states. In The Effect of Immigration on Productivity: Evidence from US States (NBER Working Paper No. 15507), NBER Research Associate Giovanni Peri analyzes state-by-state data to determine the impact of immigration on a variety of labor market outcomes, including employment, average hours worked, and average skill intensity, and on productivity and income per worker.

Peri reports a number of distinct findings. First, immigrants do not crowd-out employment of (or hours worked by) natives; they add to total employment and reduce the share of highly educated workers, because of their larger share of islow-skilled relative to native workers. Second, immigrants increase total factor productivity. These productivity gains may arise because of the more efficient allocation of skills to tasks, as immigrants are allocated to manual-intensive jobs, promoting competition and pushing natives to perform communication-intensive tasks more efficiently. Indeed, a measure of task-specialization of native workers induced by immigrants explains half to two thirds of the positive effect on productivity.

Third, Peri finds that inflows of immigrants decrease capital intensity and the skill-bias of production technologies. The decrease in capital intensity comes from an increase in total factor productivity; the capital-to-labor ratio remains unchanged because investment rises coincident with the inflow of immigrants. The reduction in the skill-intensity of production occurs as immigrants influence the choice of production techniques toward those that more efficiently use less educated workers and are less capital intensive.

Finally, Peri finds that for less educated natives, higher immigration has very little effect on wages, while for highly educated natives, the wage effect of higher immigration is positive. In summary, he finds that a one percent increase in employment in a US state, attributable only to immigration, is associated with a 0.4 to 0.5 percent increase in income per worker in that state.

A central challenge in establishing a causal link between immigration and economic outcomes is the fact that immigrants may be disproportionately attracted to states with strong economic performance. Peri recognizes this problem, and uses information on state characteristics, such as the location of a state relative to the Mexican border, the number of ports of entry, as well as the existence of communities of immigrants there before 1960 to predict immigrant inflows. He then studies how these predicted inflows, rather than actual inflows, are related to labor market outcomes. He argues that the state characteristics that underlie his predictions are not likely to be associated with either labor market outcomes or productivity. He also controls for several other determinants of productivity that may vary with geography such as R and D spending, computer adoption, international competition in the form of exports, and sector composition.

-- Claire Brunel

The Digest is not copyrighted and may be reproduced freely with appropriate attribution of source


The link to the digest and report: http://www.nber.org/digest/mar10/w15507.html

Secuestros de migrantes se concentran en tres entidades: Veracruz, Tabasco, Tamaulipas

Gran impacto ha tenido a nivel mundial la noticia sobre la ejecución de 72 migrantes en el estado de Tamaulipas por el crimen organizado, presuntamente los Zetas, a quienes se les acusa de tal barbaridad.

Quienes hemos estamos vinculados a los procesos migratorios nos hemos dado cuenta de cuanto y como ha ido empeorando la situación a lo largo de la frontera en las ultimas décadas, a tal grado que se ha convertido en un verdadero calvario para quienes la cruzan, con o sin documentos, siendo mexicano o de otro país. A pesar de esto, nos quedamos atónitos ante la magnitud de este acto criminal.

Uno de los temas relacionados a este complejo tema es el de los secuestros de migrantes. Sobre esto, informa la Comision Nacional de Derechos Humanos (CNDH) que en los últimos seis meses se han reportado 1,267 plagios contra migrantes centroamericanos.

El 77.2% de ellos ocurren en tres estados que forman parte del circuito migratorios por donde circulan del sur al norte de México: En Veracruz se reportaron 443 plagios, en Tabasco 272 y en Tamaulipas 263.

Por supuesto que los plagios y otros crímenes que se cometen en contra de los migrantes ocurren en otros estados de la República Mexicana, por lo que se requieren medidas mas eficaces por las autoridades de todos los niveles de gobierno.

Las autoridades estadounidenses también deberían de reflexionar sobre el hecho que, ante la ausencia de una política migratoria que refleje la realidad de la demanda laboral por la mano de obra extranjera, tanto las fuerzas anti-inmigrantes como el crimen organizado saben ocupar los espacios vacíos.

Y quienes siempre salen perdiendo son las mujeres y hombres que solo buscan trabajo para vivir mejor.

El diario Milenio discute mas ampliamente este asunto en el siguiente articulo:

Secuestros de migrantes se concentran en tres entidades | Ediciones Impresas Milenio

TIGRA on the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act: Includes Needed Remittance Regulation

TIGRA (Transnational Institute for Grassroots Research and Action) has been involved in organizing international migrants and migration-related organizations around the issue of remittances - something that affects migrant communities all over the world, in sending and receiving nations. Most recently, they have been involved in influencing US policy and are now communicating their support for the recently approved Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which includes much needed protection for people utilizing remittances services.

According to TIGRA:

On July 22nd, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This financial reform bill, replete with overdue remittance regulation, scores a considerable victory for the United States' forty three million immigrants that support their families from afar. Forever at the mercy of a murky and mostly-unregulated industry, remitters - global sustainers sending forth more than $400 billion a year - can now be assured of increased access to the equations behind their transfers.

The current lack of transparency in the marketplace represents an egregious exploitation of a population dependent on the services of these providers. TIGRA has long sought to right this wrong, recently devising a strict set of accreditation standards to leverage their network into corporate adherence. Fee and rate transparency is first on the list, followed by fair pricing 20% below the industry standard, a philanthropic commitment to community reinvestment, and, fourth, a pledge to avoid any investments that further displace people. After all, our goal is to make migration an option and not a necessity.

Under the Dodd-Frank law, the remittance industry will be at least partially reformed through a variety of newly-legislated requirements:

1. A multilingual written notice, provided prior to each transaction, will explicitly detail the exact amount of local currency destined to the designated recipient, the exchange rate applied to the transfer, and a full-disclosure of any applicable fee structures.

2. Similarly, a post-transfer receipt in the user's native language will be provided. This notice will document the amount of money to be received, expected date of delivery, recipient identification information, and a statement explaining a user's rights regarding error resolution and recourse.

While we applaud the passage of this law and commend the legislators and advocacy groups on their efforts, we must also maintain a pragmatic perspective. As Francis Calpotura, Executive Director of TIGRA and architect of Remit4change.net, says: "Until we reform the prevailing business model itself, one that blatantly eschews corporate social responsibility and proactive community reinvestment, we haven't genuinely affected the predatory nature of this $420 billion industry."

TIGRA (Transnational Institute for Grassroots Research and Action) is a movement center for transnational organizing that promotes financial justice through the economic power of immigrants-those who send billions of dollars to families they've left behind. TIGRA considers the system of remittances as the next frontier of economic security work that links domestic and global issues.

TIGRA (Instituto Transnacional de Investigacion y Accion de Base) es un centro de trabajo de organización transnacional para fomentar movimientos populares abogando por la justicia económica a través del poder económico de los migrantes - los que mandan miles de millones de dólares a sus familias que dejaron atrás. TIGRA considera que el sistema de remesas es la nueva frontera en la lucha por la seguridad económica que une los problemas domesticos con los globales

Preparan senadores del PRD propuesta de reforma migratoria | Milenio.com

La prensa mexicana informa que la bancada parlamentaria del PRD en el Senado mexicano prepara una propuesta de reforma migratoria mexicana como respuesta a lo que actualmente ocurre en Estados Unidos.

Según se informa, tal reforma tiene como objetivo favorecer a los mexicanos que emigran a Estados Unidos.

Tal propuesta seria una de varias reformas que se están preparando actualmente en el Congreso, tanto en la Cámara de Diputados como en el Senado, entre las que tocan asuntos de los derechos políticos de los mexicanos en el extranjero, como los derechos de inmigrantes y transmigrantes que entran a territorio mexicano de Centro América y otras partes del mundo.

La nota completa:

Preparan senadores del PRD propuesta de reforma migratoria | Milenio.com

Lawrence Downes: The Hunt for American Decency in the Arizona Quicksand

Lawrence Downes has written an interesting article in the NYT discussing the battleground that Arizona has become in the nation's debate over immigration reform.

Ironically, he underlines when quoting Thomas Saenz, current president of MALDEF, the very same people who are calling for laws like SB 1070 to end an apparent lawlessness are the sames one who proudly bare their contempt for the U.S. Constitution.

Editorial Observer - The Hunt for American Decency in the Arizona Quicksand - NYTimes.com

Secretaria de Educación Publica de México: Convocatoria Para el Programa de Educación Superior Abierta y Distancia (ESAD)

La Secretaria de Educacion Publica de Mexico (SEP) ha lanzado una convocatoria a los mexicanos en el exterior interesados en continuar sus estudios superiores, para hacerlo por medio de su programa ESAD. A continuacion la convocatoria y el link para el documento informativo:

Convocatoria Internacional
| |
El Programa de Educación Superior Abierta y Distancia (ESAD), por conducto de la Subsecretaría de Educación Superior (SES) y en colaboración de la Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE), convoca a todas las personas de nacionalidad mexicana que residan en cualquier país fuera de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, interesadas en cursar estudios del tipo superior, en la modalidad no escolarizada, abierta y a distancia, a que del 12 de julio al 8 de agosto de 2010, inicien el proceso de registro.


El primer paso para estudiar una carrera es decidirse y comenzar los trámites que lo hagan posible. Ahora que has solicitado ingresar formalmente a Programa ESAD, debes cubrir una serie de requisitos que te permitirán estudiar el Curso Propedéutico, para ello es necesario que realices el Registro. Si tienes alguna duda respecto a la Convocatoria Internacional, vista la sección de preguntas frecuentes.

Te invitamos cordialmente a que estudies con nosotros. Mucho éxito y agradecemos tu confianza.

Da clic aquí para descargar la Convocatoria Internacional 2010

Olvide la SB 1070: la disputa es otra

Un articulo del periodista Jorge Fernandez Menendez, analizando el contexto político en que aparece la SB 1070 en Arizona.

Entre otras cosas, se destaca la estrategia política que se ha seguido de parte de los republicanos para arrinconar al presidente Barack Obama y debilitarlo dentro del contexto estadounidense.

Una de las consecuencias de los sucesos es algo que ya hemos comentado previamente: la creciente militarización de la frontera como una forma de asegurar la capacidad del gobierno para controlar el territorio nacional ante las amenazas del narcotrafico, la inmigración indocumentada, y posibles actos terroristas.

La nota completa:

Exc�lsior - Olvide la SB 1070: la disputa es otra

Sarah Palin Says Obama Does Not Have the Cojones to Fix Immigration; Supports SB 1070

Former Alaska Governor, one-time Republican Vice Presidential candidate, current Fox News commentator, and high charging public speaker, Sarah Palin, launches another one of her nonsensical attacks on President Barack Obama, this time focusing on the issue of immigration policy and, more specifically, on the situation in Arizona.

In her rambling intervention, Palin states that Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has the cojones to do what President Obama will not do, which is to protect the American people through the enforcement of immigration laws.

The first thing that comes to mind, of course, is whether Palin has any idea what cojones means in Spanish and if it is the most appropiate term to be used by a high profile, highly-paid public figure who claims to stand for family values, etc.

We'll leave for another ocassion the discussion of her simplistic interpretation of immigration policy and federalism.

Watch the video below:

Dana Milbank - Headless bodies and other immigration tall tales in Arizona

In this Washington Post article Dana Milibank refutes the arguments about immigration-related violence and crime in Arizona that have been publicly espoused by public figures such as Governor Jan Brewer and Senator John McCain.

According to Miliband, statements claming that Arizona is a kidnapping capital of the world, that decapitated bodies have been found in the desert, or that violence in general has escalatated as a result of "out of control" immigration simply do no have corroborating evidence.

Moreover, if no such reality exists, then the arguments and rationale behind the need for initiatives such as SB 1070 are false.

To read the complete article click on the link below:

Dana Milbank - Headless bodies and other immigration tall tales in Arizona

Presente.org Says We Need More than Speeches - Calls for Results and and end to the 287G Program

The following is a response by Presente.org to today's speech by President Barack Obama:

Dear Friend,

1,000 per day. That’s the rate at which immigrants are being deported under the Obama Administration. Amazingly, it's more than under President Bush, and the vast majority are students, taxpayers and hardworking community members.¹

Today, President Obama addressed the nation, and once again expressed his commitment to immigration reform. But at this point, as Latino and immigrant communities are being torn apart, we need more than empty promises. We need action.

And so far, the only action we have seen is increased enforcement, including a $600 million dollar request for more immigration agents and a recent deployment of 1,200 troops to the border. Things have become so urgent that hundreds of undocumented youth are committing civil disobedience around the country, risking deportation to send a signal that enough is enough.

That’s why Presente.org, in collaboration with the National Day Labor Organizing Network (NDLON) and the Trail of DREAMs, is launching an ambitious new campaign calling on the President to use his power to create real change, starting with ending the deeply problematic 287g program. The 287g program is what empowers local authorities like Sheriff Joe Arpaio to conduct vicious raids of Latino communities and is what inspired Arizona to pass SB 1070.^2,3,4It’s time to tell President Obama to move beyond just finger pointing at Republicans, and say BASTA to 287g. Will you join us?

http://act.presente.org

In anticipation of his speech, President Obama met with community leaders on Monday, including Juan Rodriguez — one of four brave immigrant students who have been working with Presente.org since January to raise awareness about the plight of undocumented immigrants through the “Trail of Dreams,” a 1,500-mile walk from Miami to Washington, D.C. After the meeting, Juan told us how it went:

“While the President expressed support for measures that required Congressional action, he refused to act on any of the ones he can change immediately through executive action, such as 287g, the federal program that allows collaboration between local police and ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement). He said his office is looking to see where the flaws of the programs are.”

We think the flaws are clear. The Department of Homeland Security’s own Inspector General recently issued a scathing report with one central conclusion: 287g does not increase public safety.⁵ Only 10 percent of the people deported through the program have committed serious crimes, and more than half have no involvement in violence, drugs, or property crimes. In many communities, 287g has become a license for police officers to hunt down and deport undocumented immigrants who have committed no crime other than working hard to provide for their families.⁶

As a candidate, then Senator Obama spoke eloquently about the horrors caused by our failed immigration system, saying that, " ...when nursing mothers are torn from their babies, when children come home from school to find their parents missing, when people are detained without access to legal counsel ... the system just isn’t working, and we need to change it." But as President, Obama has done little to lessen the terror of deportations. The 287g program is something that the President can end with the simple stroke of a pen, and in doing so, he can show he has more to offer Latino and immigrant communities than just compelling speeches.

Please join us in saying Basta to 287g.

http:act.presente.org

Thank you and ¡Adelante!

Favianna, Roberto, Laurie and the rest of the Presente.org team

References

1. “The Criminal Flaw in Obama’s Immigration Vision,” Colorlines, 5/18/2010,
http://bit.ly/ajPry5

2. “Arpaio uses ICE manual to back enforcement tactics,” The Arizona Republic, 10/23/2009
http://bit.ly/c9WJyL

3. “Congressman Luis Gutierrez Blames Obama Administration for SB 1070 at Arizona Capitol Rally,” Phoenix New Times 4/25/2010
http://bit.ly/dl3PVj

4.“Media Release: Advocates Condemn Obama Administration’s Expansion of DHS’s Failed 287(g) Program” Center for Media Justice, 7/17/2009,
http://bit.ly/bF1xij

5. “The Performance of 287(g) Agreements,” Office of the Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security, 3/2009,
PDF Document: http://bit.ly/b5xgV0

6. “Too Broken to Fix,” New York Times, 4/8/2010,
http://nyti.ms/az3LhU

7. "One Day After Obama’s White House Meeting, Immigration Raids Spark Latino Backlash," America's Voice Online, 3/12/10
http://bit.ly/cNlB3U

Obama calls for comprehensive immigration bill at American University

In an attempt to move forward on an issue that has been neglected for years, President Obama has reinforced his previously stated commitment to comprehensive immigration reform today, in a speech given at American University. The speech called for an end to partisan posturing and attempted to reframe the issue in the public debate, appealing to the nation's proud immigraton tradition.

An article by the Washington Post reporting on the speech:

Obama calls for comprehensive immigration bill at American University

Immigrant Farm Wokers Say: Take Our Jobs!

A new campaign has begun to draw attention to the situation of the nation's farm working labor force, largely composed of immigrants from Mexico. They have endured harsh anti-immigrant campaigns and policies, becoming the favorite target of xenophobes and others.

However, now, through the launching of the "Take Our Jobs" campaign (http://www.takeourjobs.org/), the UFW invites people who claim immigrants are taking jobs away from citizens to apply for those same jobs. The UFW vows to help link job seekers with vacancies,

The invitation is as follows:

TAKE OUR JOBS There are two issues facing our nation--high unemployment and undocumented people in the workforce--that many Americans believe are related. Missing from the debate on both issues is an honest recognition that the food we all eat - at home, in restaurants and workplace cafeterias (including those in the Capitol) - comes to us from the labor of undocumented farm workers. Agriculture in the United States is dependent on an immigrant workforce. Three-quarters of all crop workers working in American agriculture were born outside the United States. According to government statistics, since the late 1990s, at least 50% of the crop workers have not been authorized to work legally in the United States. We are a nation in denial about our food supply. As a result the UFW has initiated the "Take Our Jobs" campaign. Farm workers are ready to train citizens and legal residents who wish to replace them in the field, we will use our knowledge and staff to help connect the unemployed with farm employers. Just fill out the form to the right and continue on to the request for job application. Do we have any takers?

Robert Creamer: Evidence Arizona Immigration Law May Be Fatal Mistake for GOP

An article by Robert Creamer analyzing the impact that Arizona's SB 1070 is already having in the electoral processes in the Southwest, hurting republican candidates in places like Texas and California. An evident trend is the drop in support from Latinos that Republicans have in current public opinion polls and, in addition, speculation that Latino voter turnout this fall may be higher than previously anticipated.

The full article:

Robert Creamer: Evidence Arizona Immigration Law May Be Fatal Mistake for GOP

2000-2010: Transición atorada

A casi una década desde que la ciudadanía saco al PRI de la presidencia, la tan deseada transición y consolidación democrática de México no ha logrado alcanzarse. Quedan muchas deudas y problemas pendientes. En algunos renglones, como el de la violencia y actividad criminal organizada, parece ser que se ha empeorado.

El articulo de Pascal Beltran del Rió analiza la situación actual y nos invita a reflexionar sobre los cambios habidos y los que siguen atorados.

La nota completa:

Excélsior - 2000-2010: Transición atorada

Ocultó EU a México muerte de migrantes

Un reportaje del diario Milenio indica que Estados Unidos no ha cumplido con la responsabilidad de informa a las autoridades mexicanas cuando fallece algún connacional bajo su custodia.

Se indica que hay datos sobre al menos 21 muertes de detenidos y que no se informo a las autoridades mexicanas, violando convenios internacionales al respecto.

La nota completa:

Ocultó EU a México muerte de migrantes | Ediciones Impresas Milenio

La Otra Seleccion Mexicana

Gobierno pide aclarar muerte de migrante

Una de las consecuencias de la creciente militarizacion de la frontera es que se ha incrementado el numero de migrantes muertos a lo largo de la frontera. La mayoria al intentar cruzar por zonas cada vez mas inhospitas porque ahi hay menos vigilancia. Otros, debido a encuentros violentos con autoridades de Estados Unidos, como es el caso de Anastasio Hernández Rojas, que estan mal capacitadas y/o abusan de su poder.

La administracion Obama debe hacer de este caso un ejemplo para evitar abusos - y para que vaya tomando en cuenta la necesidad de una estrategia mas realista al fenomeno migratorio.

Y nuestra politica migratoria en Mexico?

Gobierno pide aclarar muerte de migrante - El Universal - México

A Right-Wing Schism Over Immigration Reform?

An article in Mother Jones analyzing the contrasting posture that have emerged among Christian evangelicals over immigration policy. The article discusses recent changes in the positions of important evangelical leaders and the charges of betrayal they have received. The article notes that, at present, some 25% of Latinos consider themselves part of an evangelical church.

A Right-Wing Schism Over Immigration Reform? Mother Jones

Férrea lucha migrante por acceso político

Una nota de La Opinion (Los Angeles) que analiza un aspecto de la lucha de los mexicanos en el extranjero por los derechos politicos, y que rescata otro ejemplo de demagogia de funcionarios que platican muy bonito en las reuniones pero nunca pueden dictaminar las reformas que alaban - o sacar otras mejores.

Férrea lucha migrante por acceso político - La Opinión - noticias locales, nacionales e internacionales desde Los Ángeles - impre.com

Californians split on Arizona's illegal immigration crackdown

A new USC/LA Times poll of California voters finds a high awareness of the SB 1070 law in Arizona, a significant racial divide when asked if they support or oppose it (particularly among white and Latino respondents), as well as significant differences between older and younger Californians.

The link to the full article:
Californians split on Arizona's illegal immigration crackdown - latimes.com

For fans of Mexico's national soccer team, one true love

An interesting article about the growth of US-based interest in the Mexican national soccer team.

We wrote about this phenomenon some 25 years ago for Pacific News Service and it seems that we were only scratching the surface, as the demographic and economic significance has become hard to ignore.

For fans of Mexico's national soccer team, one true love - latimes.com

For fans of Mexico's national soccer team, one true love - latimes.com

For fans of Mexico's national soccer team, one true love - latimes.com

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Calderón en EU: 27 ovaciones y cero respuestas

Una nota de Milenio indica la dificultad del contexto bilateral actual:

"El Presidente se llevó las palmas de la mayoría demócrata; en cambio, legisladores republicanos se limitaron a advertir que no renunciarán a ninguna de sus libertades para solucionar los problemas de otro país.

En un discurso de 30 minutos, que fue interrumpido 27 veces para ser ovacionado, el presidente Felipe Calderón pidió al Capitolio una reforma migratoria y freno a la venta indiscriminada de armas. Sin embargo, luego del acto legisladores republicanos descartaron eventuales acuerdos en ambos temas."

Calderón en EU: 27 ovaciones y cero respuestas | Ediciones Impresas Milenio

AP-Univision Poll Finds Discrimination High Against Latinos

A new poll has just been released by the AP and Univision, revealing that Latinos have become the target of discrimination in the country. The discrimination they suffer and perceive is higher than for any other social group in the nation, including women and other racial minorities.

"An Associated Press- Univision Poll found that 61% of people overall said Latinos faced significant discrimination, compared with 52% who said blacks did and 50% who said women.

The survey also underscored how perceptions of prejudice can vary by ethnicity. While 81% of Latinos said they confronted a lot of or some discrimination, a smaller but still substantial 59% of non-Latinos said so."

Latino discrimination: Discrimination high against Latinos, poll finds - latimes.com

Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel blamed for immigration reform's poor progress - latimes.com

This LA Times article examines an issue that has been raised by pro-immigrant reform forces ever since then President-elect Barack Obama revealed the members of his cabinet. By most accounts, Rahm Emanuel has not done anything to dispel the misgivings people had about him.


Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel blamed for immigration reform's poor progress - latimes.com

Video Obama and Calderon Discuss Immigration Reform, Arizona SB 1070

The following video is a summary of the joint press conference held by President Barack Obama and President Felipe Calderon, highlighting in this case the issue of immigration reform and their opposition to Arizona's SB 1070.

Michelle Obama Confronted by Second Grader About President Obama's Immigration Policies

In a visit to a second grade class today, first lady Michelle Obama was questioned by a student about President Obama's policies towards undocumented immigrants, such as the student's mother.

Michelle needs to catch up on the discussion of these issues.

Undocumented Students Protest at McCain Office, Urge Passage of DREAM Act

Five students, four of them undocumented, staged a protest at Senator John McCain's office in Tucson, decrying the senator's lack of support for the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform.

The students have been placed under arrest and the undocumented may face deportation.

This is one of several activities which have been carried out recently to draw attention to the plight of young people who have have lived most of their lives in the US, studied hard and even enrolled in universities but are unable to begin or complete their studies due to the lack of a DREAM Act.

Link to the story below.

Illegal Immigrant Students Protest at McCain Office - NYTimes.com

Video: Living Conditions of Farm Workers in California's Central Valley

The following is a video produced by New American Media.


Homeless Farmworkers in the Central Valley from New America Media on Vimeo.

Star Wars Spoof of McCain "Danged Fence" Ad

Well, it was only a matter of time before McCain's ludicrous "danged fence" ad was spoofed ... and here it is:

Michael Gerson - The GOP's harsh immigration stance will cost it

An interesting article from Gerson.

One of his most interesting lines as he discusses the possible costs of the Republican party's anti-imigrant tendency at a time when there is an ongoing demographic growth of Latinos in Southwestern states, who are now at least 40% of the high school students in each state: "In a matter of decades, the Republican Party could cease to be a national party."

Michael Gerson - The GOP's harsh immigration stance will cost it

Mexico the Happiest Nation in the World, Says Coca-Cola Study Measuring Global Happiness

At least they did not suggest that it is because Mexico is the world's leading consumer of soft drinks ... and has a rapidly growing diabetes problem.

BevNET.com: Coca-Cola Study Measures Global Happiness

Arizona tourism loses more business in wake of immigration law vote

Even the Republican party has decided to hold its convention in Florida, rather than in Arizona.

Meanwhile, San Francisco and Los Angeles are among the cities that have voted to join the boycott agains the state of institutionalized discrimination.

Arizona tourism loses more business in wake of immigration law vote

Dora La Exploradora en Arizona!

Pobre Dora!

Americans for America Target Colorado Senate Candidate for Supporting Arizona SB 1070

Another creative ad from Americans for America PAC. This one targets Jane Norton, candidate for senator in Colorado, for supporting Arizona's SB 1070.

An Anti-John McCain Ad from Americans for America Centered on the Absurdity of SB 1070

Americans for America PAC has begun to air the following political ads, targeting SB 1070 and current senator John McCain, a supporter of the law.

The Historical Regression Continues: Arizona Legislature Bans Ethnic Studies!

Yesterday the Arizona state legislature approved House Bill 2281, an educational reform designed to end Ethnic Studies courses in publicly funded schools.

Much can be said about the mentality of the legislators who would even consider developing such an initiative, but in the current context it is further evidence that reason does not reign in Arizona.

A summary of the reform and its corresponding link below:

http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/49leg/2r/summary/h.hb2281_03-18-10_houseengrossed.doc.htm

House of Representatives
HB 2281
schools; prohibited courses; discipline

NOW: prohibited courses; discipline; schools

Sponsors: Representatives Montenegro, Gowan, Seel, et al.


DPA/SE Committee on Education

W/D
Committee on Government



DPA
Caucus and COW

X
House Engrossed


HB 2281 prohibits a school district or charter school from including courses or classes that either promote the overthrow of the United States government or promote resentment toward a race or class of people.

History
The State Board of Education (SBE) must prescribe a minimum course of study, incorporating Arizona’s academic standards, to be taught in Arizona public schools (Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 15-701). School district governing boards must approve the course of study, including the basic textbook for each approved course and all other units recommended for credit before implementing each course in both elementary and high schools. Pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-701.01, a governing board may adopt courses of study that are in addition to or higher than that prescribed by the SBE.

Current law requires the principal of each school to ensure that all rules pertaining to the discipline, suspension, and expulsion of pupils are communicated to students at the beginning of each school year. All cases of suspension must be for good cause and must be reported within five days to the governing board by the superintendent or person imposing the suspension. The school district governing board is required to post regular notices and take minutes of any hearing concerning the discipline, suspension, or expulsion of a pupil (A.R.S § 15-843).

Provisions
· States that the Legislature finds and declares that public school pupils should be taught to treat and value each other as individuals and not be taught to resent or hate other races or classes of people.

· Prohibits a school district or charter school from including in its program of instruction any courses or classes that:

Ø Promote the overthrow of the United States government.

Ø Promote resentment toward a race or class of people.

Ø Are designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group.

Ø Advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals.

· States that if the SBE determines that a school district or charter school is offering a course that violates this act, the SBE must direct the Superintendent of Public Instruction (Superintendent) to notify the school district or charter school that it is in violation.

· Stipulates that if the SBE determines that the school district or charter school has failed to comply within 60 days after a notice has been issued by the Superintendent, the SBE may direct the ADE to withhold up to 10% of the monthly apportionment of state aid that would otherwise be due to the school district or charter school and requires ADE to adjust the school district or charter school’s apportionment accordingly.

· Specifies when the SBE determines that the school district or charter school is in compliance with not offering a prohibited course, ADE must restore the full amount of state aid payments to the school district or charter school.

· Stipulates that actions taken under this act are subject to appeal pursuant to laws relating to uniform administrative hearing procedures.

· States that this act cannot be construed to restrict or prohibit:

Ø Courses or classes for Native American pupils that are required to comply with federal law.

Ø The grouping of pupils according to academic performance, including capability in the English language, that may result in a disparate impact by ethnicity.

Ø Courses or classes that include the history of any ethnic group and that are open to all students, unless the course or class violates this act.

· Prohibits rules pertaining to the discipline, suspension, and expulsion of pupils from being based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or ancestry.

· States that if the ADE, the Auditor General, or the Attorney General determines that a school district is substantially and deliberately not in compliance with pupil disciplinary actions and if the school district has failed to correct the deficiency within 90 days after receiving notice from the ADE, the Superintendent may withhold the monies the school district would otherwise be entitled to receive from the date of the determination of noncompliance until the ADE determines that the school district is in compliance.

· Makes technical and conforming changes.

Lawsuits target AZ law amid calls for boycotts

Let the lawsuits against the unjust and discriminatory SB 1070 begin!

There is no room in this world for the institutionalized discrimination that such a law would bring about.

The following Washington Post article discusses the first of what may eventually be a flood of lawsuits against SB 1070:


Lawsuits target AZ law amid calls for boycotts

Michael Gerson - A test of Arizona's political character

Republican Michael Gerson presents a critical interpretation of SB 1070 in a Washington Post article. Link below:

Michael Gerson - A test of Arizona's political character

Constitutional Scholars: SB 1070 Unconstitutional

A New York Times article discusses the interpretations of SB 1070 by legal scholars. Most point out that the law does not meet the constitutional test, as the Supreme Court previously established that immigration policy is determined by the federal government.

The link to the full article below:


News Analysis - A Law Facing a Tough Road Through the Courts - NYTimes.com

Terry Goddard Leads Jan Brewer In Arizona Gov's Race: Hispanic Voters Flocking To Democratic Candidate

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer is beginning to pay the electoral price for supporting the anti-immigrant SB 1070. According to a Huffington Post article, she is now trailing democratic attorney general Terry Goddard and angry Latinos are flocking to the Democratic Party.

Electoral defeat of Brewer will send a clear message to other anti-immigrant politicians.

Terry Goddard Leads Jan Brewer In Arizona Gov's Race: Hispanic Voters Flocking To Democratic Candidate

MALDEF Condemns Arizona's SB 1070

The following is a press released issued by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDF), one of the oldest and most prominent Mexican American civil rights organizations:

----------
MALDEF Condemns AZ Governor Brewer for Signing Unconstitutional Anti-Immigrant Bill
MALDEF will pursue all legal options to challenge SB 1070
April 23, 2010

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz issued the following statement in response to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s signing of Senate Bill 1070.

“The extremely disappointing news that Governor Brewer caved to the radical fringe by signing SB 1070 launches Arizona into a spiral of pervasive fear, community distrust, increased crime and costly litigation, with nationwide repercussions. This cowardly gubernatorial act is the epitome of irresponsible leadership.

Nonetheless, the Arizona community is not alone. MALDEF and others will be pursuing all legal avenues to challenge this law. We have every expectation, based upon judicial precedent and unquestioned constitutional values, that SB 1070 will be enjoined before it can ever take effect.

One significant measure of SB 1070’s patent illegality is that it seeks to implement Arizona’s own scheme of immigration regulation – separate and in conflict with federal government policy – when our Constitution envisions a unified nation under one federal set of immigration regulations to be adopted by Congress and implemented by the President. By rejecting that constitutional plan, Arizona’s enactment of SB 1070 is tantamount to a declaration of secession. In response, the federal government must act to preserve our united nation by clearly stating that it will not cooperate in any way with the implementation of SB 1070 – that it will not adjust or alter its immigration enforcement priorities to the detriment of other states simply to accommodate Arizona's most recent exercise in racial demagoguery.

At the same time, Arizona should brace for the inevitable response to its leadership’s folly – decreased cooperation with police that yields higher rates of crime, decreased international commerce that has ripple effects throughout the state economy, and a significant waste of taxpayer resources on defending and vainly attempting to implement a deeply flawed law.”