Dreamers Caught in the Middle of Heated Pre-election Debate – A budget agreement reached by Democrats and Republicans in the Senate that would keep the government open through February 8th has emboldened Republicans, divided Democrats and left young Dreamers confused and frustrated. Although the Senate majority leader has promised to present a plan that would offer relief for the Dreamers, even if the measure passes the Senate, there is no guarantee that it would be approved by the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, President Trump continues to add fuel to the fire with contradictory messages of compassion and crackdown. José López Zamorano has this report from Washington.
Indigenous Mexican Presidential Candidate Rallying Support in the U.S. – A delegation of indigenous leaders from Mexico is gathering signatures among Mexican immigrants in the United States to nominate Nahua healer Maria de Jesus Patricio Martinez to run in Mexico’s presidential elections this July. If the nearly one million signatures needed are gathered, the leader, better known as “Marichuy,” would become Mexico’s first indigenous presidential candidate. So far, however, less than 20 percent of the necessary signatures have been collected with just a few weeks remaining, amid complaints that the electoral system is full of obstacles and traps to prevent this candidacy. Marco Vinicio Gonzalez reports from New York on the pro-Marichuy tour’s stop in that city.
Deported Guatemalans Migrate North Again – Despite the crackdown against immigrants unleashed by the Trump administration, many of the more than 60,000 Guatemalans deported last year plan to return to the United States. Why take the risk again? Because when these returnees arrive in Guatemala, they find their communities suffering from unchecked criminal violence and joblessness. This is what our contributor in Guatemala City, Maria Martin, found when she spoke with several deportees and the few community groups that help them. This report received additional support from FIRE (Freelance Investigative Reporters and Editors) and the Fund for Investigative Journalism.
