POLITICS - Blog - HispanicPro Network

Nike mentors give Latino youth a career boost

Posted by News on August 16, 2009 at 10:48pm

Seven Latino students at Portland Community College’s Rock Creek campus are getting a jolt of business savvy from Nike workers, one meeting and piece of advice at a time. As part of a mentoring program that partners the Nike Latino and Friends Network with students from the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), each of the students – all first-generation college scholars from migrant-worker backgrounds – work with a Nike employee at honing crucial job skills and creating networking opportunities. READ FULL STORY

Hispanic males are now majority in county jails

Posted by News on July 7, 2009 at 3:30pm

There's a shift under way in the Maricopa County jails. The population of White male inmates, after growing steadily for more than a decade, has dropped in the past five years, while the population of Hispanic male inmates has increased to the point that they make up the ethnic majority, according Sheriff's Office data. Experts say the explanation for the increase is largely due to overall population trends coupled with a series of recent laws and policy decisions targeting illegal immigrants. READ FULL STORY

Lawyer Leads an Immigration Fight

Posted by News on July 21, 2009 at 12:43pm

On a recent morning, Kris W. Kobach, a conservative law professor, rushed late into a federal courtroom here with his suit slightly rumpled and little more than a laptop under his arm. His mission was to persuade the judge to uphold an ordinance adopted by a Dallas suburb that would bar landlords from renting housing to illegal immigrants. A team of lawyers from a Latino advocacy group had set up early at the opposing table, fortified with legal assistants and stacks of case documents. Unfazed, Mr. Kobach unleashed a cascade of constitutional arguments. Case names and precedents spilled out so rapidly that the judge had to order Mr. Kobach several times to slow down. READ FULL STORY

New Jersey's Latino Leadership asks Obama to rescind Morristown's 287(g) status

Posted by News on July 21, 2009 at 11:39am

The Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey has sent a letter to President Barack Obama asking him to revoke 287(g) status for Morristown and Monmouth County, according to Sunday's editions of El Diario, a regional Spanish language daily newspaper. The letter was sent last week signaling "profound disagreement" with the administration's move to grant immigration officer status to Morristown police and the Monmouth Sheriff's Department.http://www.impre.com/eldiariony/noticias/2009/7/19/no-a-poder-migratorio-para-pol-136230-1.html# "We are asking him to reconsider," Martin Perez, LLA president, is quoted as saying. READ FULL STORY

Demography that threatens the GOP

Posted by News on June 24, 2009 at 7:18pm

Demography is not destiny, or so the Republicans had better hope. In the aftermath of President Obama's biggest Democratic win in 44 years, population and political trends threaten the future of the Grand Old Party. Obama has assembled what Atlantic Media political director Ron Brownstein calls a "coalition of the ascendant" — the fastest-growing racial, ethnic and ideological groups in the country. They include Hispanic voters, suburbanites and younger voters. READ FULL STORY

Face of City Has Changed Dramatically, Census Estimates Show

Posted by HispanicPro on January 3, 2011 at 12:21am

The electorate that will soon choose the successor to Mayor Richard M. Daley looks a lot different than the voters who first put him in office more than two decades ago.

An analysis of recently released United States Census Bureau estimates by the Chicago News Cooperative shows how racial and ethnic communities have continued to shift dramatically during the past decade in a city long known for its kaleidoscopic population and segregated neighborhoods.

As the mayoral candidates campaign ahead of the Feb. 22 election, campaign strategists determining where they will focus their efforts will have to be mindful of three trends:

The city’s black population fell by about 11 percent between 2000 and 2009, a pattern reflected in many neighborhoods across the South and West Sides. Twenty-four of the 25 city-designated community areas with the largest black populations in 2000 saw declines, according to the analysis of the five-year population estimates for 2005-9.

There was a marked rise in the white population in some of the city’s priciest neighborhoods in and near downtown. In the Near South Side community, the number of whites more than tripled in nine years.

Estimates of the city’s overall white population increased only modestly because of large declines in their numbers on the Northwest and Southwest Sides. Meanwhile, Hispanics continued to supplant whites in the bungalow belt.

When the federal government releases its official 2010 census data in the coming months, it will confirm that every racial and ethnic group in the city is a minority –no single group will make up a majority of Chicago’s roughly 2.85 million residents.

Given Chicago’s election system, which requires the new mayor to garner an outright majority of the vote, the winner will need support from many voters of other races, forcing candidates to seek backing throughout the city. READ MORE

Latino-Black Rivalry Helped Fuel G.O.P.’s Takeover of State Senate

Posted by News on June 12, 2009 at 5:53pm

When two Democratic state senators, Pedro Espada Jr. and Hiram Monserrate, joined Republicans on the Senate floor Monday to kick off their surprise takeover of the chamber, almost every other Democratic senator in the room walked out in anger, shock or disgust. But as Mr. Espada stood to be sworn in as the new president of the Senate, several other Latino lawmakers, all members of the Assembly, filed into the room and stood behind him, beaming like proud parents. “There are over two million Latinos in the State of New York; they are looking to be included in a partnership,” Assemblyman José Rivera, a Bronx Democrat, said later. “I don’t know if that’s going to last, but yeah, it’s a proud moment — a Latino making waves.” Lurking just underneath the partisan battle that broke out this week is an uglier, longer-running rift within the Democratic Party. For years, Latino lawmakers have resented playing junior partner to the state’s powerful black establishment, which has supplied New York with a mayor for its largest city, a governor, and, last winter, the first black Senate majority leader: Malcolm A. Smith, who held that post until Mr. Espada and Mr. Monserrate defected this week. READ FULL STORY

Commentary: Increase in Latino federal prison population reveals flaws in immigration policy

Posted by News on March 8, 2009 at 3:32pm

Our immigration laws are out of whack. And they are clogging our federal prisons with nonviolent folks who are guilty of nothing more than living, working and raising families here without proper documentation. A Pew Hispanic Center study released in mid-February documents how Latinos now make up 40 percent of the estimated 200,000 prisoners in federal penitentiaries, triple their share of the total U.S. adult population and disproportionate to their representation in state and local jails (19 percent and 16 percent, respectively). READ FULL STORY

President Barack Obama to Address Hispanic Business Leaders

Posted by News on March 8, 2009 at 11:54am

President Obama will open the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 19th Annual Legislative Conference next Tuesday with a keynote address. The president is halfway into the first 100 days of his administration, and his approach to improving the American economy is expected to be a large part of his address to the gathering of Hispanic entrepreneurs, small business owners, elected officials, and other leaders from communities across the nation. President Obama will address the conference on Tuesday March 10, 2009 at 8:30 AM in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott at Metro Center in the nation's capitol. READ FULL STORY

Are Valley Latinos falling behind in visibility?

Posted by News on May 12, 2009 at 8:03am

Someone once said, ''The more things change, the more they stay the same.'' With that in mind, I note that the Latino community, particularly in Allentown, has been the source of discussion, concern, information and misperceptions for many years. However, a statistical review reveals a community with sharp contrasts and vivid remnants of the recent past. Allentown's Latino population makes up more than 30 percent of the city's nearly 106,000 residents with projections as high as 50 percent by 2020. According to the U.S. Census, that number was 4.5 percent in 1980, 14.4 percent in 1990 and 24.2 percent in 2000. This influx has firmly positioned Allentown as Pennsylvania's third largest city while drastically changing the mainly white European demography to a predominantly Latino composition. Nearly 70 percent of the Latino community is of Puerto Rican heritage, while Dominicans, Mexicans and South and Central Americans, among others, comprise the rest. This diverse community, with origins from the mountains of Peru, the valleys of Colombia, the shores of the Yucatan and the barrios of Newark, N.J., may share a common language of Imperial Spain, but it is obvious this wide range of life experiences presents a kaleidoscope of a Latino community that many in the Lehigh Valley mistakenly perceive as a monolithic, homogenous group. READ FULL STORY

Garcia backs out of serving as rodeo parade grand marshal

Posted by News on February 28, 2009 at 12:25pm

When the Houston rodeo holds its annual parade this morning, there will be one grand marshal — Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. But there were supposed to be two. Sheriff Adrian Garcia said he accepted the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s invitation to serve as co-grand marshal but backed out after learning that some minority leaders were planning to assail the rodeo’s treatment of Hispanics and African-Americans. READ FULL STORY

GOP can reclaim the Hispanic vote

Posted by News on June 10, 2009 at 6:08am

POLITICO recently published a couple of articles that painted a pretty bleak picture of the prospects of the GOP winning back Hispanic voters (“Republicans Sound Alarm on Hispanic Voter Gap,” May 18; “RNC Hiring Chafes Top Hispanics,” May 20). I was quoted in both articles and felt it necessary to expand on my remarks and add some observations. While it is true that many Hispanic Republican leaders are anxious to see progress on efforts to regain lost ground among Hispanic voters, this should not be confused with a lack of support for the core values of the party or the inspirational leadership of RNC Chairman Michael Steele. READ FULL STORY

Stamford Hispanics gain voice in political group

Posted by News on May 12, 2009 at 7:44am

A Stamford resident for more than 40 years, Eva Padilla likes to be involved. Years ago, she would get out the vote in the Hispanic community the old-fashioned way -- hitting the sidewalks and knocking on doors. And today, as a retired social worker in her fifties, volunteering is what keeps her busy. So when a local group, the Hispanic Political Action Committee, organized with the goal of encouraging local Hispanics to get involved in politics on the local and state levels, it was no surprise Padilla was one of the first members. "I think that it's so important, especially because the Hispanic community in Stamford has grown so much in the past years," Padilla, who hails from Puerto Rico, said. "We need young people to be involved, that's the only way we're going to have the things we really need." The new, bipartisan group is part of a growing effort among the city's Latino residents to break into politics, a change many say is needed because Hispanics are underrepresented in local government. While recent U.S. Census estimates show the Hispanic population in Stamford grew from 17 to 22 percent between 2000 and 2007, Hispanics on city boards number just 2, or less than 1 percent. READ FULL STORY

Hispanics See Stars Aligned on High Court

Posted by News on May 12, 2009 at 7:37am

Justice David H. Souter's departure from the Supreme Court gives the first African American president a historic opportunity to break another barrier by appointing the first Hispanic to the nation's highest court. Those involved in the process inside the White House and those advising from outside say President Obama would relish such a choice. He studiously and successfully courted Hispanic support during the campaign and has maintained close ties to Latino leaders since coming to office. But the White House is constructing its appointment strategy on the belief that this will not be his only appointment to the court and that he need not reach his goal of changing the racial, ethnic and gender balance on the court with just one pick. READ FULL STORY

Almost 1 of 2 new Americans in 2008 was Latino

Posted by News on April 7, 2009 at 11:26am

Hispanics made up nearly half of the more than 1 million people who became U.S. citizens last year, according to a Hispanic advocacy group. The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials said the number of Latinos who became Americans in fiscal year 2008 more than doubled over the previous year, to 461,317. That's nearly half of the record 1,046,539 new citizens overall in 2008, a 58 percent increase from 2007. "Latinos who naturalize are eager to demonstrate their commitment to America by becoming full participants in our nation's civic life," said NALEO president Arturo Vargas, whose nonpartisan group works to improve the citizenship process and increase Latino participation in civic activities. NALEO based its findings on Homeland Security Department data on the number of new citizens last year who immigrated from predominantly Spanish-speaking countries. In a report released in March, the agency attributed the record number of new citizens to the nearly 1.4 million citizenship applications it received in 2007. Most were from people who wanted to beat a $265 increase in the citizenship application fee, from $330 to $595. But the department also credited "special efforts" by Hispanic media, community groups and a union with high immigrant membership, all of which urged eligible permanent residents to pursue citizenship. READ FULL STORY

Courage, Mr. Holder

Posted by News on February 24, 2009 at 11:49am

Lecturing a conscript conclave of Justice Department bureaucrats, Attorney General Eric Holder called America a "nation of cowards" last week for not spending more time talking about race. Reading his speech, however, one recalls the sage counsel of Pat Moynihan to President Richard Nixon in 1970: This whole subject might benefit from a long period of "benign neglect." One point Holder did allude to, without specifics, was this: "It is not safe for this nation to assume that the unaddressed social problems in the poorest parts of the country can be isolated and will not ultimately affect the larger society." Fair point. And what are some of those social problems? A 70 percent illegitimacy rate in black America, an incarceration and crime rate seven times that of white America, a 50 percent dropout rate in many urban high schools, African American graduates reading and computing on average at eighth-grade levels. READ FULL STORY

Latinos Tell Census: Count on Us

Posted by News on February 17, 2009 at 12:38am

Creating trust and assuring confidentiality are the biggest challenges facing the U.S. Census Bureau in gathering an accurate count of Latinos for the decennial population count next year. Those were among the key points raised at a briefing on the 2010 census organized Wednesday by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in Washington, D.C. Latinos have been under-counted in previous census counts and efforts by LULAC and other national Latino organizations are aimed at making the next population count more accurate. READ FULL STORY

Nell Soto dies at 82; California state senator championed

Posted by News on February 28, 2009 at 12:32pm

Nell Soto, who worked in citrus groves as a Depression-era child and rose to become a California state senator and among the first Latino officials to fight for environmental protection, died Thursday. She was 82. Soto, one of the first Latino women elected to statewide office from the Inland Empire, died at Woods Health Services in La Verne of complications from a stroke suffered in December. She retired from public office last year after months of failing health. In a statement Thursday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called Soto "a devoted public servant who committed her life to improving the lives of others in her community." Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa called her "a passionate leader and a principled voice." READ FULL STORY

Chicago Resident Christina Villanueva Chosen for Illinois Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Series

Posted by News on January 26, 2010 at 5:10pm

Christina Villanueva of Chicago has been named a 2010 fellow for the Illinois Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Series, a leadership program that trains and mentors up-and-coming Republican women in Illinois. Villanueva is one of eight women selected statewide to participate in the Illinois Lincoln Series this year. “I’m honored to have been selected for this program,” said Christina Villanueva. “Republican women have an important opportunity to contribute unique and diverse viewpoints to help shape the future of the Republican Party and improve the political process.” Villanueva continued, “The Illinois Lincoln Series is a rare opportunity to gain more exposure to the different tiers of government and learn more about various aspects of public service.” Christina Villanueva was born and raised in Chicago within a very conservative home. When Christina decided to get involved with politics there was always one quote lingering in her mind “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing”[ Edward Burke]. The “do nothing” part is what caught her attention. Instead of sitting at home being angry or complaining about what is happening in our country and “doing nothing”, she decided that she wanted to do something and get involved in the political process to make a positive impact. Christina did not know where to begin but began talking with those who she knew have been involved for years. Christina believes your passion in what you believe in should lead you to take action and make a positive difference in the lives of others – you must get involved. Christina’s involvement: : * Secretary of the RNHA – Cook Chapter * Recently appointed Web 2.0 Media Outreach Coordinator with RNHA Illinois state chapter * Illinois State Chair for Smart Girl Politics Christina Villanueva is the Treasurer for McAloon for Congress and graduated from Robert Morris University with a Bachelor of Business Administration concentrating in Accounting. “Villanueva follows in the strong tradition of previous Excellence Program participants and we look forward to her contributions to the political and public service arena,” said Pamela J. Fenner, president of the Illinois Lincoln Series. Villanueva will be joining a network of more than 170 women who have participated in the Illinois Lincoln Series program. Graduates have gone on to achieve elected office, public service careers in the state and federal government and campaign management positions. “Through the Lincoln Series, I developed a network of mentors and professional associations who have assisted in helping me achieve my professional goals in public service,” commented Kris Cohn, former Secretary’s Representative, U.S. Department of Education, Region V, Class of 1999. The Illinois Lincoln Series includes course work and hands-on experience at all levels of government and campaigns. Previous speakers and trainers for the program have included, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, U.S. Congressman and former Speaker of the House, J. Dennis Hastert, Illinois Congresswoman Judy Biggert, 2006 GOP gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka, U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe, U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, Republican strategist Mary Matalin, and former Lt. Governor Corinne Wood who is a graduate of the Class of 1996. The Illinois Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Series was organized in 1994 by Mary Jo Arndt, the Illinois Committeewoman's Roundtable, and the Illinois Federation of Republican Women's Unit Club. Illinois became the second state to found an Excellence Series program, following the lead of the Lugar Series in the neighboring state of Indiana. Currently, 17 states have established an Excellence in Public Service Series. The Illinois program serves as a springboard for graduates to achieve new levels of personal achievement and public service involvement. It is endorsed by the Republican National Committee and the Illinois Republican Party. More information regarding the Illinois Lincoln Series can be found at www.lincolnseries.com.

More Bad News From the Job Market

Posted by News on January 21, 2010 at 12:58am

You’ve been out of work for a year now and you are wondering what’s ahead. Or you are one of many couples who lost a paycheck and you are trying to get by on one only. Or you are middle-aged and had a good-paying factory job. But there are very few factory jobs today in your Rust Belt city. Or you are black or Latino and a lot of your friends can’t find a job either. Where are we headed at the start of 2010? As a number of recent reports point out, the Great Recession still hangs heavily over our heads, with losses more severe and painful than most imagine and some workers facing the likelihood of even greater job setbacks ahead. For many blacks and Latinos, the job losses will continue to mount, according to a report by the Economic Policy Institute. While the unemployment rate for whites is expected to hit 9 percent in the third quarter of this year - up from 8.1 percent in the most recent period - it is likely to reach 17.2 percent for blacks and 13.9 percent for Latinos for the same time period. READ FULL STORY

POLITICS (147)

Nike mentors give Latino youth a career boost

Hispanic males are now majority in county jails

Lawyer Leads an Immigration Fight

New Jersey's Latino Leadership asks Obama to rescind Morristown's 287(g) status

Demography that threatens the GOP

Face of City Has Changed Dramatically, Census Estimates Show

Latino-Black Rivalry Helped Fuel G.O.P.’s Takeover of State Senate

Commentary: Increase in Latino federal prison population reveals flaws in immigration policy

President Barack Obama to Address Hispanic Business Leaders

Are Valley Latinos falling behind in visibility?

Garcia backs out of serving as rodeo parade grand marshal

GOP can reclaim the Hispanic vote

Stamford Hispanics gain voice in political group

Hispanics See Stars Aligned on High Court

Almost 1 of 2 new Americans in 2008 was Latino

Courage, Mr. Holder

Latinos Tell Census: Count on Us

Nell Soto dies at 82; California state senator championed

Chicago Resident Christina Villanueva Chosen for Illinois Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Series

More Bad News From the Job Market

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