Latino Members of Congress Prioritize Protection of Dreamers and Migrants – With a political climate more rarefied than ever due to President Trump’s threat to declare a national emergency if funds are not approved for his border wall and the prolonged government shutdown, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus met this week to evaluate the situation. Jose Lopez Zamorano reports from Washington that the Caucus, which is now larger than ever, vowed to defend Dreamers and promote immigration reform.
Former Florida Inmates Cautiously Celebrate Right to Vote – Florida’s Amendment 4 went into effect this week, giving former inmates in the state the right to vote for the first time. The constitutional amendment was overwhelmingly approved by voters in the November election. Many former prisoners came forward to fill out voter registration forms with a mixture of joy and fear, as governor-elect Republican Ron DeSantis has sought to delay and place conditions on the law. Samuel Orozco speaks on the program Línea Abierta, with former prisoner and prominent leader of the campaign for Amendment 4, Yraida Guanipa.
Survivor of Sexual Slavery Inspires Victims to Come Out of the Shadows – During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a Mexican immigrant who is a survivor of sexual slavery is about to open a new office to help female victims. With scarce resources but with lots of optimism, Virginia Isaías, who managed to flee her captors and migrated to the United States, has dedicated herself to rescuing, educating and training survivors as activists. Rubén Tapia reports from Santa Ana, south of Los Angeles.
