Sun Hispanic community and immigration news

Data dump: Nevada's Hispanic population grows steadily but isn't fastest in U.S.: Feb. 20, 2013; By Tovin Lapan; Nevada is home to the 14th largest Hispanic population in the country, according to new data released by the Pew Research Center.

Immigration march planned for Sunday: Feb. 19, 2013; By Tovin Lapan; A march in support of reforming the U.S. immigration system is planned for Sunday in downtown Las Vegas.

Horsford, community organizations coming together to support immigration reform: Feb. 19, 2013; By Tovin Lapan; U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford joined with officials from an array of Las Vegas community organizations Tuesday morning to express support for passing immigration reform legislation this year.

War of words under way in immigration reform debate: Feb. 19, 2013; By Karoun Demirjian; As the immigration debate gets fully underway in Congress, Nevada lawmakers are bracing for tough policy battles. They also are looking for ways to avoid a war of words.

Nevada’s Hispanics come of age politically: Feb. 17, 2013; By Tovin Lapan; More than 125 years ago, after the 1874 elections, Pablo Laveaga became the first Hispanic ever elected to the Nevada Legislature, representing Humboldt County. The next Hispanic legislator in Nevada came 70 years later. The third was not elected until another 38 years had passed. Recently, however, thanks to changes in the state’s demographics and opportunities that have come from tweaks in the state electoral system, Hispanics have been getting elected at a much faster pace.

Young Las Vegan reflects on his responsibility as face of immigration reform: Feb. 13, 2013; By Karoun Demirjian; Just over three months ago, Alan Aleman was just excited to live life fully in the open.

National union campaign backing immigration reform launches in Las Vegas: Feb. 11, 2013; By Tovin Lapan; National and local union workers rallied today in Las Vegas, promising to throw the weight of organized labor behind a push for U.S. immigration reform. “(Immigration reform) is a national priority for the labor movement,” Maria Elena Durazo, secretary-treasurer of Los Angeles County Labor Federation, told union members gathered Monday at the Cashman Center.

Undocumented immigrant from Las Vegas to attend State of Union: Feb. 11, 2013; By Karoun Demirjian; Every year, a hand-picked set of special guests sits with the first lady as the president delivers the State of the Union address.

Young immigrant discusses life outside the shadows, president’s recognition: Feb. 10, 2013; By Tovin Lapan; In the excitement of the moment Alan Aleman did not capture all of the little details, and he struggles to recall them now. President Barack Obama held up Aleman as an example of just the kind of immigrant that deserves a chance to make a life in the United States during a recent speech at Del Sol High School.

From seat on Judiciary, Amodei could play outsized role in immigration reform: Feb. 10, 2013; By Karoun Demirjian; The Nevada lawmaker who may end up having the most influence over the immigration reform bill is the one who has, to date, stayed the most silent: Rep. Mark Amodei.

Obama's push for gay rights in immigration reform prompts GOP opposition: Feb. 7, 2013; By Karoun Demirjian; President Barack Obama unveiled his blueprint for immigration reform last week, highlighting that same-sex couples would be entitled to the same immigration rights as heterosexual couples. It caught many social conservatives off-guard.

Unions come to embrace immigration reform: Feb. 7, 2013; By Tovin Lapan; Until the start of the millennium, the AFL-CIO openly opposed immigrants living and working in the country illegally. In 2000, the group’s executive council voted to endorse a new policy including a path to citizenship. The shift occurred for a variety of reasons, labor analysts say, and is reflective of changing union membership levels and demographics.

Horsford leads Black Caucus discussion on immigration: Feb. 4, 2013; By Karoun Demirjian; Nevada Rep. Steven Horsford co-hosted an hour of testimonials by members of the Congressional Black Caucus on Monday night, on the 100th anniversary of Rosa Parks’ birthday, to draw attention to immigration reform.

Immigration reform may be tougher sell with House Republicans: Feb. 1, 2013; By Karoun Demirjian; If this week’s immigration announcements from President Obama and a bipartisan Senate group established anything, it is that there are more points upon which they agree than disagree. But what about the House?

Harry Reid says immigration is ‘top priority’ but won’t rush it: Jan. 31, 2013; By Karoun Demirjian; Immigration is the “top priority” for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his team of top Democrats, who are confident 2013 “will be the year” that a comprehensive reform bill gets through Congress.