Sun Hispanic community and immigration news

Analysis: In a new era, another try at amnesty

May 14, 2013 (2 a.m.)

By Cindy Chang, Los Angeles Times

In 1986, lawmakers decided the problem of illegal immigration had to be dealt with. More than 3 million people were living in the United States after crossing the border illegally or overstaying their visas. A new law signed by President Ronald Reagan gave legal status and a path to citizenship to most of those unauthorized residents. Less than 30 years later, the number of immigrants living in the country illegally is thought to have nearly quadrupled, and the baggage of amnesty looms over new efforts to reform the nation’s immigration laws.

Velotta: International visitors caught up in dispute about immigration

May 13, 2013

By Richard N. Velotta

The battle over immigration reform could get heated, and local tourism leaders hope the federal government’s efforts to reduce visa wait times aren’t lost in the shuffle.
Heritage Foundation report on immigration is under fire from both sides

May 11, 2013

By Tovin Lapan

The Heritage Foundation this week released a report on the projected costs of immigration reform to U.S. taxpayers that, while met with strong rebuttal, managed to dominate much of the discussion on immigration this week.
The case for immigration reform, as made by a hunger-striking, naturalized citizen

May 10, 2013

By Tovin Lapan

Salvador Zamora does not give up easily, and it has taken a toll on his health. As of Thursday, Zamora was on day 30 of a hunger strike in support of U.S. immigration reform. He has lost 22 pounds since he started in April, and has seen doctors regularly to monitor his deteriorating condition. Zamora sits below a banner marking off the days directly across from the Lloyd George Federal Building, where Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. Dean Heller have their local offices.
The case against immigration reform, as made by an ‘intense’ U.S. nationalist

May 10, 2013

By Tovin Lapan

Larry Brown first thought of immigration as a social and political issue in the early 1980s, when he drove past a San Fernando Valley billboard sponsored by the conservative-leaning Federation for American Immigration Reform. It was, he said, a “call to arms against illegal immigration.” Brown, who worked at a bank in Irvine, Calif. at the time, studied the issue and started following the work of Glen Spencer, a vehement opponent of any legalization plan for immigrants.
Reid tells May Day rally: Country owes immigrants a ‘permanent solution’

May 1, 2013

By Tovin Lapan

Thousands of people gathered downtown Wednesday afternoon to rally in support of immigration reform, then chanted their way down Las Vegas Boulevard toward the Stratosphere while passing vehicles honked their horns in support.
Town hall speakers urge education about new health insurance exchanges

April 24, 2013

By Tovin Lapan

One group that stands to benefit from the Affordable Care Act is Hispanics, who make up 16 percent of the U.S. population but 30.7 percent of the nation’s uninsured population.
More surreal than a TV drama, national crises sideline major D.C. policy pushes

April 21, 2013

By Karoun Demirjian

If all you knew of Washington were the impressions you gleaned from the television drama "West Wing," then this past week may not have seemed like such a big deal. Then again, even television scriptwriters won’t usually spin this many story lines into a single episode.
Opponents, supporters of ‘Gang of Eight’ proposal weigh in

April 18, 2013

By Tovin Lapan

A collection of what people from all sides, both locally and nationally, are saying about the U.S. Senate 'Gang of Eight' proposal on immigration reform.
Family ‘perfect example’ of need for immigration reform, advocates say

April 17, 2013

By Tovin Lapan

If immigration reform moves forward quickly, it could save Martin Martinez from having to separate from his family in Las Vegas, and if he is deported, he could still benefit from provisions in a Senate proposal unveiled Tuesday.
Source: Immigration bill could exclude many from US citizenship

April 12, 2013

By Erica Werner, Associated Press

A bipartisan immigration bill soon to be introduced in the Senate could exclude hundreds of thousands of immigrants here illegally from ever becoming U.S. citizens, according to a Senate aide with knowledge of the proposals.
Reid featured in immigration video; Cortez Masto backs reform; more

April 11, 2013

By Tovin Lapan

In a busy week for immigration news Sen. Harry Reid stars in video produced by Senta Democrats, Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto signs a letter supporting immigration reform and May Day march plans in Las Vegas get underway.
With viewers increasing, Hispanic TV networks drawing more than passing interest from advertisers

April 8, 2013

By Tovin Lapan

In “El Capo 2,” one of the first original shows on new U.S. Spanish-language network MundoFox, a Colombian drug kingpin fights off challenges from all sides, the U.S. authorities, rival cartels in Mexico and the victims of his violence. The show, from its origins and target audience to its plot, is emblematic of the escalating battle over Hispanic television viewers in the United States.
With legislative session half over, a look at bills that might affect you

April 5, 2013

By Anjeanette Damon,
Andrew Doughman

For most embroiled in the thick of the ongoing legislative session in the capital, Thursday was a day to celebrate. The halfway point. Day 60. The light at the end of the 120-day tunnel is that much nearer. (Well, we hope, anyway. Voters did happen to give lawmakers the power to call themselves into special session, so who knows.) At the halfway point, bills are slowly winding their way through the process, with the bulk of the work still remaining in the committees assigned to give legislation a first work through.
House, Senate proposal details; AP drops ‘illegal immigrant’

April 4, 2013

By Tovin Lapan

Right now immigration is more at the forefront of public policy discussion than at any time since the debate over immigration reform in 2007. Here is a round up of the latest in immigration news.