Federal Judge Blocks Anti-Immigrant Law in Texas – Undocumented Texans are breathing a sigh of relief after a federal judge ruled to suspend the controversial Law SB4, which would have required local police to act as immigration agents and punished sanctuary cities starting on September first. Lawyer Luis Roberto Vera Jr, legal counsel for the defendants in suit against SB4, spoke with Samuel Orozco on the program Línea Abierta about the significance of this first victory, which remains a temporary one.
After Hurricane Harvey, Immigrants Face Uncertain Future – With the fear of being deported, especially after the signing of a draconian state law on immigration and with the images of the disastrous evacuation during the last hurricane still fresh, hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants in Texas weathered the torrential rain and wind of Hurricane Harvey by staying in their homes or with friends and family members. Authorities are trying to alleviate immigrants’ fears by clarifying that no federal agents will be present at centers offering food and shelter. Ruben Tapia has the stories of survivors of the tragedy as well as volunteers. This report is part of the series, “Speaking of Race.”
Presidential Pardon for ex-Sheriff Arpaio Causes Furor Among U.S. Latinos – As the devastating Hurricane Harvey battered the coast of Texas, President Trump pardoned ex-Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was convicted of criminal contempt by a federal court in Arizona. The decision was unanimously condemned by Latino activists, Democratic lawmakers and even some Republicans. This controversial pardon reactivated civil disobedience campaigns by organizations that view the pardon a “declaration of war” against the Latino community and plan to mount a new offensive against the president and his policies, as Jose Lopez Zamorano reports from Washington. This report is part of the series, “Speaking of Race.”
Trump Under Pressure Not to Cancel DACA Program – Just days before the end of the deadline ultra-conservative Republicans gave President Trump to eliminate the DACA program, allies of young immigrants redoubled their efforts in a national campaign with phone calls, demonstrations in the street, and meetings in states around the country urging Trump to continue protections for these young people. More than 800,000 immigrants who arrived in the United States as children have benefitted from this temporary permission in the five years it has been in effect. Valeria Fernández reports from Phoenix, Arizona.
