Feet In 2 Worlds, Immigration News

Pro-Immigrant Demonstrators and Hispanic Media Confront Sheriff Arpaio on Visit to Southern California

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:25 PST

By Pilar Marrero, La Opinión and FI2W reporter Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona was clearly enjoying his starring role at a series of fundraisers last week in Southern California. The sheriff, known for his aggressive tactics against undocumented immigrants in and around Phoenix, happily chatted with reporters — even the citizen reporters that were part [...]

Activists Push for Immigration Reform on Anniversary of Long Island Hate Crime

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:08 PST

By Diego Graglia, FI2W web editor A year ago this Sunday, in the heady days following the election of President Barack Obama, a hate crime took place in Long Island that initially went mostly unnoticed: a gang of teenagers attacked and killed Ecuadorian immigrant Marcelo Lucero, as part of what was later revealed to be a [...]

In Bolivia’s Upcoming Presidential Election, Migrants Won’t Just Watch From the Sidelines

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:03:45 PST

By Jelena Kopanja, FI2W contributor At Pike Pizza, a Bolivian restaurant in Arlington, Virginia, Bolivian patrons enjoy some of their country’s delicacies like salteñas, or the refreshing peach beverage, mocachinchi. These days, the conversation can often turn to why it is important to have the right to vote from abroad for Bolivia’s next president. Bolivians will go [...]

Liu Becomes First Asian Elected to Citywide Office in New York

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:00:27 PST

By Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, Polish Daily News and FI2W reporter [* Editor's note: This article was amended to correct election results in the last paragraph.] John C. Liu’s victory in the race for New York City comptroller on Tuesday marks the first time an Asian American has been elected to citywide office. Ever since Liu won the Democratic nomination [...]

Supreme Court Asks White House to Take a Stance on State Immigration Laws

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:19:32 PST

By Diego Graglia, FI2W web editor The U.S. Supreme Court wants the Obama administration to offer its opinion on state immigration laws, an issue that the White House has largely tried to avoid. The high court asked the White House on Monday for an opinion in a U.S. Chamber of Commerce challenge to an Arizona [...]

Held in the Midst of Greenwich Village, Immigrants Lack Access to Counsel, Complain About Threats

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:39:24 PST

By Diego Graglia, FI2W web editor Most of the thousands of New Yorkers who walk by the Varick Federal Detention Facility every day are probably unaware of its existence, but the immigration jail on Hudson Street in New York City’s Greenwich Village holds thousands of detainees every year. Over one third of those detainees “had reasonable claims” [...]

Immigration Reform Confrontation To Begin in Earnest: The Tea Parties Are Coming

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:39:23 PDT

By Diego Graglia, FI2W web editor A strategy that has been successful in rallying vocal opposition to the Obama administration will now focus on immigration reform: Americans for Legal Immigration (ALIPAC) will hold tea parties “against amnesty and illegal immigration” starting on Saturday, Nov. 14. The organization created a web site called Against Amnesty to organize the [...]

Obama Official: Immigration Reform Will Be Introduced Once Votes to Pass It Are Assured

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:00:55 PDT

By Diego Graglia, FI2W web editor The Obama administration will push for immigration reform in Congress once Democrats are certain they have enough votes to pass it, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Tuesday in Washington. According to the Spanish-language newspaper La Opinión, Salazar attended an event organized by the National Association of Hispanic Publications, where he said [...]

After Arpaio is Stripped of Immigration Powers, Conservatives Counter With A New Anti-Immigrant Bill

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:00:41 PDT

By Valeria Fernández, FI2W contributor PHOENIX, Arizona — After the recent decision by federal authorities to limit the power of Maricopa County sheriff ’s deputies to enforce U.S. immigration laws, Arizona lawmakers are renewing a push to grant local police the ability to detain and question suspected undocumented immigrants. A campaign in favor of the “Support Our [...]

Workplace Immigration Enforcement Trampled On Workers’ Rights, Report Says

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:28:15 PDT

By Diego Graglia, FI2W web editor Workplace raids by immigration authorities have “severely interfered with the protection of labor rights for immigrant workers,” according to a new report released Tuesday by labor organizations. “The single-minded focus on immigration enforcement without regard to violations of workplace laws has enabled employers with rampant labor and employment violations to profit [...]