Mexican Citizens Seeking Asylum Rejected from U.S. – Violence in the state of Michoacán, in Western Mexico, has forced numerous families to abandon all that they have and travel to the border to ask for asylum in the United States. But when they arrive at the border, many of those who are fleeing violence are returned to Mexico without going through the entire asylum petition process. Manuel Ocaño reports from the border between California and Mexico, where he found a mother from Michoacán who was rejected and separated from her husband at the border.
Youth Keep Lion Dance Alive in California – Richly ornamented lion heads jump and move with energetic waving movements during the parades to celebrate Chinese New Year, in late January or early February. With the lion dance, young dancers from California are keeping a tradition alive, dancing in the streets with colorful lion costumes, to the rhythm of a drum. The ancient Chinese tradition has its roots in kung fu and other martial arts, and it is supposed to scare away bad spirits and bring good luck. Our reporter, Farida Jhabvala Romero, attended a lion dance in Newark, in Northern California, where she was surrounded by dozens of smiling children and families enjoying the show. This feature story is part of our series Raíces: Stories about Grassroots Artists.
