Daily Headlines: April 27, 2016

* Mexico: A few thousand people including some family members of 43 missing Ayotzinapa university students marched in Mexico City yesterday to question the government’s shaky investigation into the case.

* Peru: Peruvian officials will expand a law allowing the military to shoot down civilian planes suspected of drug smuggling to include boats and backpackers.

* Argentina: State-run YPF will export crude oil next month for the first time since 2013 as part of a plan to boost production amid low oil prices.

* U.S.: A new study concluded that the number of Latino children was undercounted in the last Census and this has caused a lack of federal funds to be destined to some communities in need.

YouTube Source – El Universal

Online Sources – Reuters, NBC News, Bloomberg, Voice of America

Daily Headlines: October 1, 2012

* U.S.: According to a new study the multiracial population has grown faster than single race individuals, which includes six percent of Hispanic 2010 Census responders who identified themselves as belonging to more than one race.
 
* Haiti: A ban on the importing, manufacturing, and marketing of non-biodegradable plastic bags and Styrofoam containers will start today.

* Honduras: Soldiers are being deployed on buses with the hope of preventing violence in a country reportedly the world's highest murder rate.
 
* Panama: U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said that a free trade pact between the U.S. and Panama “will be implemented very soon.”

Video Source – YouTube via user destinationcb

Online Sources- Huffington Post, BBC News, Christian Science Monitor, Reuters

Daily Headlines: November 7, 2011

* Mexico: The editor of a newspaper in Veracruz claimed that a group of armed men attacked his newspaper’s offices and set them on fire.

* Colombia: A message purportedly from the FARC claimed that the rebels will not lay down their arms despite the killing of their commander, Alfonso Cano, on Friday.

* U.S.: New census data expected to be released this week will reportedly show that more Latinos have fallen below the poverty line.

* Venezuela: Venezuelan-born “professional revolutionary” Carlos the Jackal faces a new trial over a series of bombings in France during the 1980s.

Image Source – Via Flickr user Cyrus Farivar (Mexico City newspaper vendor) (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Online Sources - TVNZ, The Guardian, CNN, Fox News Latino, The Latin Americanist

Report: Census workers botch race/ethnicity queries

In the months leading up to the 2010 Census the Census Bureau carried out a p.r. campaign so that Latinos would participate in the national count. Despite calls by a few groups to boycott the Census most of the Latino community seemed to have done their duty and filled out the forms.

An interesting conundrum appeared for numerous Latinos who tried to fill the census papers: how to accurately answer the questions pertaining to race and ethnicity. If one is of a mixed racial background such as mestizo, for instance, then how should one classify his/her race for the Census? What about the person in this article who claimed that “"I would consider myself Hispanic or Mexican-American, but definitely not White”?

A report from the U.S. Commerce Department Office of the Inspector General found that some Census workers have ignored similar troubles during their door-to-door visits. Rather than clarify concerns some of the workers in the study made things worse:

Upon their visits, census workers are supposed to read aloud the 10 census questions, including those on race and ethnicity. Yet, according to the report, 71 workers incorrectly communicated the race and Hispanic-origin question to respondents. Some census workers made assumptions about individuals' race and filled in boxes without asking the respondent the ethnic background questions, while others failed to ask their respondents if they wanted the questions read aloud.

Only 15% of the 480 observed workers in the report made mistakes during their door-to-door visits and a Census spokesman told CNN that the bureau would "take corrective actions where appropriate." But these mistakes could be costly when so much is on the line like apportioning congressional districts and deciding where some federal funds go.

Image- nj.com
Online Sources- U.S. Commerce Department Office of the Inspector General, CNN, azcentral.com, Vivirlatino, USA TODAY, The Latin Americanist

Arizona, Latinos, and the Census

Could Arizona’s recently signed immigration law have a negative effect on collecting accurate Census information? It depends on whom you ask.

Representatives of several community groups in the border state alleged that the law would lead to a fear of Latinos in participating in the Census count. Though the Census Bureau spearheaded a major campaign to Latinos via ads and presentations to civic groups some Arizonans worry that the local immigration measure will ultimately lead to a false count. "I've talked to friends and people in the community, and they're saying -- whatever they think of the law, wherever they stand on the issue: 'I'm not going to open the door to anyone right now,'" said one Tucson legislator in an article originally from USA TODAY.

On the other hand, one Census official told Marketplace that possible fears from the immigration law have yet to show up in the count:

Census Spokesman Leo Cardenas says he was concerned that Arizona's law would send the Latino community into hiding -- a fear which has not played out so far. "When we go door-to-door, the cooperation continues to be enthusiastic and we continue to cross our fingers."

Cardenas also says Census takers are finding an unusually high number of vacant properties in Hispanic communities. "Clearly in response to the legislation, people are moving to where they can find jobs."

The Census tally is vital in the allocating of billions of dollars in federal funds and the assigning of seats to the House of Representatives. (According to one estimate Arizona is expected to gain one seat). Therefore, it is in the best interest of all Arizonans- regardless of race, ethnicity, immigration status, etc.- to cooperate and participate in the Census count.

Image- New York daily News
Online Sources- ABC News, The Latin Americanist, Marketplace,

Today’s Video: Have you mailed your Census forms?

This Friday is the final day to send Census forms. You may receive a personal visit from a Census worker if you miss the mail-in deadline as the following Spanish-language video from the Census Bureau shows:

If you have any questions about the Census you can call from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily: 1-866-872-6868 in English or 1-866-928-2010 en Español.

Online Sources- 2010.census.gov, Fox News, YouTube

Daily Headlines: February 16, 2010

* U.S.: Morrissey, Los Tigres Del Norte, and Aventura will have songs included in an album aimed at promoting Latino participation in the 2010 Census. (“Mentiras” by Los Amigos Invisibles will be on the album; hence, the above video).

* El Salvador: Authorities arrested three suspects accused in the September 2009 murder of Spanish filmmaker Christian Poveda.

* Mexico: Roman Catholic bishops have become the latest group to criticize the Mexican government’s anti-violence strategy.

* Chile: In a positive sign for Chile’s economy the country’s copper exports doubled in January.

Online Sources- NME, BBC News, LAHT, AP, Bloomberg

Senate rejects anti-immigrant Census proposal

The U.S. Senate on Thursday rejected a measure to add a question on citizenship status to the 2010 census.

The proposal created by Republican Sens. David Vitter and Bob Bennett would have excluded all non-citizens including legal resident immigrants from the reapportionment of congressional districts based on next year’s national tally. "Illegal aliens should not be included for the purposes of determining representation in Congress, and that's the bottom line here," Vitter said shortly after introducing the amendment to a bill funding the Census count.

Critics of the Vitter-Bennett plan noted that the proposal was very problematic. With about four months until the Census starts “Congress should be encouraging constituents to get counted, not debating the contents of the questionnaire," said Congressional Hispanic Caucus chair Rep. Nydia Velazquez. According to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke over 400 million Census forms have already produced and changing them would be very costly.

The proposal would’ve hurt Census Bureau efforts to calm concerns in the Latino community of misrepresentation and intrusiveness. The amendment "would raise more questions in the public mind about how confidential the Census is," National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials head Arturo Vargas was reported as saying.

Vitter’s Louisiana colleague (Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu) argued against his proposal and claimed that his idea would require changing the constitution.

Image- WKTV
Online Sources- Washington Independent, The Latin Americanist, NOLA.com, AP, HispanicBusiness.com, Guardian UK, ABC News

Telenovelas promote Census count

The Spanish-language TV soap operas known as telenovelas are often viewed as an escape from the tedium of reality. With its convoluted plots, hammy acting, and cheap music, telenovelas are primarily fun and entertaining.

There are occasions, however, when these soaps tackle real-life situations and issues of importance to the community. In Argentina, one telenovela raised awareness of illegal “Dirty War” adoptions while a Cuban soap broke taboos in its frank discussion of homosexuality.

In the States, some telenovelas have recently examined topics like the health care debate (in the case of one series developed by Colorado state officials). Though scant Latino groups have urged a boycott of the 2010 Census count, one popular soap has gone in a different direction:

Perla Beltrán, a young woman from the wrong side of the tracks in New York, has suffered a great deal lately — her husband, a thief, has been murdered and she has been associating with lowlifes. But she thinks she has found a way out: as a recruiter for the United States Census Bureau.

Ms. Beltrán, a character in the popular Spanish-language soap opera “Más Sabe el Diablo,” “The Devil Knows Best,” represents only one element of the government’s yearlong effort to garner trust among Hispanics, an ethnic group that has been historically wary of the decennial census process.

The situation is viewed by Census officials and TV network Telemundo as a win-win situation; the former raises awareness of the Census via “people placement” while the latter gets valuable PR and a possible ratings boost.

It’s easy to be dismissive of telenovelas yet they deserve recognition when they try to do something positive for its viewers beyond mere escapism.

Image- New York Times (“The soap opera “Más Sabe el Diablo” featured the 2010 census.”)
Online Sources- NPR, The Latin Americanist, New York Times, UPI

Today's Video: Being counted

With the 2010 Census coming soon, NBC Nightly News examined its importance as well as worries from some Latinos:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

What do you think?

Online Sources- MSNBC

Census: Latino school, college enrollment grows

Census data released today showed steady growth in Latino school and university enrollment nationwide.

According to the AP, the Census information from 2007 revealed that Latinos:

• make up approximately 25% of kindergartners with most of them being born in the U.S.;
• are roughly 20% of all K-12 students though in several western states (e.g. Arizona, California) they make up at least 40%;
• form 12% of all full-time undergraduate and graduate students, up from 10% in 2006.
  

What does this mean? For starters, the Latino youth of today will be the voting electorate of tomorrow. Education is already a very important concern to the Latino community and should be more so in the future. Thus, the debate over No Child Left Behind laws and federal college aid may soon heat up. Language will also gain more prominence, especially whether to scrap or modify bilingual education classes. Lastly, it may force politicos to get their heads out of the sand and do something useful on immigration reform.

What do you think?

Image- WNCT
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, AP, UPI

GOP platform slams illegal immigration

What a difference four years makes.

In 2004, the Republican Party’s platform emphasized a “humane” approach on immigration along with a policy that encouraged illegal immigrants to “come out of the shadows.” Four years later and the platform being considered by the GOP pulls no punches in vehemently opposing illegal immigration. “Compassionate conservatism” has been unfortunately brushed aside in favor of a tough yet unrealistic rhetoric on immigration:

The 2008 Republican platform says only those legally residing in the U.S. should be counted in the next census.

"The (2010) census should count every person legally abiding in the United States in an actual enumeration," says the platform language, which is a reinterpretation of the Constitution that could affect how congressional seats are apportioned.

According to Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution the Census would count the “number of free Persons…and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons” for apportionment of the House of Representatives. Subsequent amendments abolished slavery and the three-fifths clause and all Native Americans are taxed; thus, the Census Bureau theoretically counts all those residing in a state regardless of immigration status. (A sentiment that was confirmed by a spokesman for Census Bureau to the AP).

Is it any wonder why the GOP is having so much trouble attracting the Latino vote?

(In all fairness, it doesn’t appear that the DNC’s immigration rhetoric was that much better as Maegan pointed out in VirirLatino).

Image- HamptonRoads.com (“Chuck Smith, a delegate from Virginia Beach, speaks with media members during a recess on Monday, the first night of the GOP convention. (Steve Earley | The Virginian-Pilot).”)

Sources- Wikipedia, VirirLatino, chicagotribune.com, Library of Congress, AP, Denver Post, Philadelphia Bulletin

Daily Headlines: August 27, 2008

* U.S.: A Census report concluded that the average Latino household income increased slightly yet so did the Latino poverty rate (21.5%) and more Latinos are uninsured than any other racial category.

* Venezuela: Has Hezbollah increased its presence in Latin America by taking advantage of closer relations between Venezuela and Iran?

* Ecuador: Most Ecuadorians would vote in favor of a new government-backed constitution according to a recent poll.

* Chile: President Michelle Bachelet is pushing a bill that would facilitate equal pay for equal work.

Image- AFP (“Men eat free lunch at the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen.”)

Sources- Associated Press, CNNMoney.com, Reuters UK, Forbes.com, Los Angeles Times

Census: U.S. urban centers lose without immigration

Data from the Census Bureau suggest that large urban centers like Los Angeles and San Francisco benefit from the growth caused by immigration while native-born residents leave for other areas. The information looked at the past 6 years of population statistics and showed that without immigration the populations of many cities would have faced light to moderate losses:

• Boston’s population would have shrunk by 101,000 people without immigration.
• The population of New York City would have lost over a half million residents sans immigration but instead gained over 1 million people.
• Though immigrants in St. Louis make up 5% of the population, a net gain of 26,000 immigrants helped offset the loss of 23,000 people to other areas.
• Miami may have dropped down one place to become the U.S.’ 6^th largest city, but immigration boosted South Florida’s population by 9%.

Immigration growth has also been a boon to small communities around the country. In the case of Arkansas, for example, Hispanic immigrant growth is among the fastest in the country and has contributed over $6 million to the state’s budget. (This according to a study separate from the one by the Census Bureau).

The U.S. is not alone to profit from immigration growth; Canadian census figures released last month illustrated that 2/3 of the country’s population growth came from immigrants and Canada is on track to become 100% dependent on immigration for growth.

Links- MSNBC, WALB, stltoday.com, Miami Herald, The Morning News, Cnews, CBC, The Latin Americanist, Guardian UK

Image- People’s Daily Online (Demonstrators marching across the Brooklyn Bridge for immigrant rights in April 2006)