Immigrant Families Protest Hate Speech in Republican Debate – The second Republican presidential debate, held in Simi Valley, California, again brought up the issues of closing borders, removing the right to citizenship for children of immigrants, and deporting immigrants, as a response to a failed immigration system. Outside the Reagan Library, where the debate was held, a group of union leaders, activists, and families called on Republican candidates to stop blaming immigrants and to propose solutions to the serious problems of the country. Our correspondent in Los Angeles, Rubén Tapia, reports that among the protesters were two young U.S. citizens like those called “Anchor Babies” by conservative groups.
Why are So Few DACA Recipients Applying for MediCal? – In California, young immigrants who have benefited from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and who are low-income, can apply for Medicaid, the health insurance for low-income individuals known as MediCal in this state. However, many of those eligible have not applied. From Los Ángeles, Araceli Martínez reports that the biggest obstacle is a lack of information.
Neighbors Organize for Parks In a City Sorely Lacking Green Space – Fresno, the biggest city in California’s Central Valley, is one of the country’s cities with the fewest public parks available for its population and that keeps them least well-maintained. After a year of discussion, the city dedicated $450,000 to identify vacant lots where green space can be designed, and which parks can be improved. Finally, the city came to an agreement with community groups to give new life to one of its parks in the most disarray. Juan Santiago visited Romain Park and has this story.
