America's Voice Blog

Posted 03/11/10 at 11:13am

‘Qué Pasa’ in Immigration: Pressure on Congress and the White House; March, March, March!

The Spanish-language press is buzzing about meetings at the White House and plenty of marches: among anti-immigrant groups in Los Angeles, undocumented youth in Chicago, and the March for America in Washington, D.C.

White House meetings. The White House is meeting with key Senators and activists today to discuss immigration reform, as well as various points of contention related to the issue--among them the search for cosponsors for a potential bill. Reform Immigration For America member organizations sent letters to the White House and leaders of the Democratic majority in Congress asking for the blueprint of a reform bill to be presented before March 21st, the date which has been set for the March for America in Washington, D.C., and asking that a Senate Immigration Subcommittee markup be held before April 23rd.

La Opinión, in an article headlined “Immigration confronts obstacles,” quotes Senate Immigration Subcommittee chairman Chuck Schumer (D-NY):

"Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and I are working on it, we only have a pair of issues left to set down. One of those is to find a second Republican for the bill, and the other is to get business and labor to agree on the issue of the future flow of workers. But we’re getting close, I’m optimistic.”

Anti-immigrant march. A La Opinión article, “Anti-immigrant groups on the defensive,” discusses an announcement from white supremacist groups that they will conduct a demonstration against undocumented immigrants in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 17th.

Charles Wilson, spokesperson for the National Socialist Movement (NMS), whose ideology is based on Nazism, told La Opinión that Los Angeles was chosen because it is “the heart of the problem of undocumented immigration.” Wilson declared:

“Each week we get between 8 and 10 new members who have realized that only those of pure white blood can be members of this nation.”

March for America. The March for America on March 21st in the nation’s capital continues to capture the attention of Spanish-language media. Some of today’s coverage:

EPA: Pro-immigrant groups ask for support for protest outside White House

Impre.com: Los Angeles prepares its own megamarch

Noticieros Televisa: Immigrants sign up for megamarch in Washington

El Financiero en Línea: Groups gather in Los Angeles to march for immigration reform

Out of the Shadows. Many outlets report on the marches held yesterday in Chicago and other cities by undocumented youth calling for legalization.

The EFE’s article from Chicago, “Undocumented youth come out of the shadows and march in Chicago,” quotes Hugo, an undocumented 30-year-old man brought to the United States at the age of nine:

“I’m tired of living in the shadows, always afraid for myself and my family."

Other coverage:

Univision.com and wire services: Undocumented students ask for reform; Summon up courage to take to the streets

Notimex: Undocumented youth march in Chicago for immigration reform

America's Voice has started a new series, “‘Qué Pasa’ in Immigration,” to bring Spanish-language coverage of immigration and politics to a wider audience. Look for daily roundups (in English) of some of the best Spanish-language news.   

Don't forget to check out the latest Spanish-language reporting and analysis on immigration over at MaribelHastings.com.

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