By Miriam Raftery

February 11, 2017 (San Diego) – Immigration raids in cities across the nation conducted since Friday are striking fear among immigrant communities.  Although the Trump administration has claimed the sweeps are routine, some of those picked up for deportation have no criminal backgrounds, belying President Donald Trump’s post-election promise to focus on criminals.

Two East County representatives oppose measure; Anderson attacks immigrants as criminals despite actual data on crime rates  

By Miriam Raftery

February 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — Two local legislators have taken stands against SB 54, a measure that would prevent state and local authorities in California from cooperating with federal efforts to deport undocumented immigrants.

East County News Service

January 31, 2017 (El Cajon) -- The Chancellor and leaders at Grossmont-Community College District have sent a letter to students in the wake of  President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders regarding immigration, border security, and a travel ban on people from seven nations, as well as his threat to establish a Muslim registry.  The letter affirms that the district’s governing board will vote February 21 on whether to adopt the following policies:

• Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges are open to all students who meet the minimum requirement for admission, regardless of background, culture, religion, or immigration status. 
• The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District will not release any personally identifiable student information, including data related to immigration status, without a judicial warrant or court order unless authorized by the student or required by law.
• The District will not cooperate with any federal effort to create a registry of individuals based on any protected characteristics such as religion, national origin, race, or sexual orientation.
• The District stands proudly for the heritage of American community colleges as hallmarks of a diverse, engaged, and healthy democracy.

Below is the letter in full:

East County News Service

January 18, 2017 (San Diego) -- Media Arts Center San Diego announces the 24^TH annual San Diego Latino Film Festival, which will take place March 16-26 at the AMC 18 Fashion Valley theaters in Mission Valley.  The festival will occupy five screens for eleven days and will present over 160 films from Latin America, the United States, and Spain.

By Miriam Raftery

January 10, 2017 (San Diego) –  Protests have erupted across Mexico over a 20 percent hike in gas prices due to deregulation ordered by President Peña Nieto. Though cost of a gallon of gasoline is now about $3.50-- nearly as much as a day’s wages (about $4 at a minimum wage job), fueling outrage among impoverished Mexicans.

East County News Service

December 12, 2016 (San Diego) – Some immigration lawyers are warning “dreamers,” children brought to the U.S. by undocumented immigrant parents, not to travel overseas on or after January 20^th. 

That’s the date that Donald Trump is slated to be inaugurated as President.  Trump said during the campaign that he would rescind executive orders by President Obama that provided protection from deportation to young immigrants under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which also gave them rights to work and travel for humanitarian, educational or employment purposes. He called for the deportation of all undocumented immigrants.

Source: Newcomers’ Collaborative

November 20, 2016 (El Cajon) -- On Saturday, November 5^th, 2016, 91 Spanish Speakers and at least 24 children attended a resource event coordinated by the Newcomers’ Collaborative, a workgroup of the El Cajon Collaborative. The event provided an opportunity for newcomers to browse local resources and attend workshops on navigating the education system, immigration and civic engagement, Child Welfare Services, domestic violence, equal housing rights and employment. Attendees were also able to apply for public benefits such as Cal-Fresh and Medi-Cal on-site, or ask questions regarding their eligibility or specific case.         

East County News Service

September 20, 2016 (El Cajon) - As part of Latino Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), Grossmont College is presenting a Latino Film Festival, with free, public screenings of films that explore Latino/a culture and history at 7 p.m. every Tuesday evening Sept. 20-Oct. 11 in Building 26, Room 220.

By Jonathan Goetz

September 15, 2016 (San Diego) - Former United States Ambassador to Mexico Anthony Wayne, speaking at San Diego State University on Monday, estimated that products made in Mexico and exported to the U.S. contain 40% U.S. components.   As examples, he cited Honda’s CR-V, which contains a motor and transmission made in the USA.

East County News Service

August 30, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Hispanic students at Cuyamaca College will soon see a significant boost in efforts aimed at guiding them toward obtaining certificates and degrees and transferring to four-year colleges and universities, thanks to a nearly $2.6-million, five-year federal grant.

East County News Service

August 26, 2016 (San Diego) - Media Arts Center San Diego celebrates the 3rd annual Exitos Del Cine Latino film festival, a summer celebration of Latino film, music, and celebrities, starting tonight at Westfield Plaza Bonita.

The festivities also include an opening night fiesta. This weekend's movies include (Click on film titles below to read synopses & purchase tickets on-line):

By Jonathan Goetz

August 21, 2016 (San Diego) -- Ambassador Earl Anthony “Tony” Wayne will be speaking at San Diego State University Monday, September 12, 2016 about Building a Partnership with Mexico. He will speak on the state of relations between our two countries, including economic and commercial relations, public security, law enforcement, energy and the environment as part of the Charles W. Hostler Institute on World Affairs Lecture Series.

Source:  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

August 19, 2016 (San Diego) - U.S Customs and Border Protection officials want to remind the traveling public of the services available at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa passenger ports of entry, and changes in the processing of travelers.

By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2016 (San Diego) -- A bill by California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) aims to assure that an injured person in California receives fair compensation for future income loss and future medical costs regardless of their immigration status.  It was approved by the State Senate on a bipartisan 28-11 vote yesterday and next goes to the Governor for signature.

By Suzanne Potter, California News Service

June 24, 2016 (Washington D.C.) --Latino rights supporters are regrouping after the Supreme Court split 4-4 on the constitutionality of President Obama's immigration policy.

The tie lets a lower court decision stand, blocking two of the president's executive orders. One program, Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA), would have given temporary work permits to parents of U.S. citizens and legal residents. The other is an expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which gave a reprieve to certain people brought to the U.S. as children.

"This is really sad for the immigrant community," said Antonio Bernabe, organizing director for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. "They are really disappointed, hoping for a real solution. Now they are still fearing for their families, fearing for themselves, living in terror every day."