Must Read News

Today, the Spanish-language press takes up the story of two Argentinians, former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) informants, who now face deportation themselves. Brothers Emilio and Analía Anaya had made an agreement with the federal agency to identify undocumented immigrants involved in the drug trade, gangs, human trafficking, prostitution and other crimes, in exchange for S-visas which would give them a path to citizenship. The Anayas’ case, initially brought to light by El Diario-La Prensa (New York), has also revived interest in Salvadoran national Ernesto Gamboa, who is also on the verge of being deported, and whose situation was revealed by an NPR investigation. La Raza carries an exclusive interview, with La Opinión writing on the Anayas as well.

A group called the American Principles Project aims to promote conservative values among Hispanics and defend comprehensive immigration reform among those same ultraconservatives who have rejected it in the past. According to EFE, Alfonso Aguilar, who served under the Bush administration as director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), said that “immigration reform is the issue keeping Latinos from supporting the conservative movement.” To bring them into the fold, Aguilar said, it is “extremely important” that legalizing undocumented immigrants become a policy and messaging priority for conservatives in the future.

Two editorials in La Opinión in the last few days have discussed immigration reform: “No more empty words” (“No más palabras vacías”) and “The moment for reform” (“El momento para la reforma”). “Campaign promises have attracted supporters and raised hopes. The votes cast for candidates committed to immigration reform were key in winning elections for them, and millions of working people sustained their hopes.

Today’s top story in the Spanish-language press is Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart’s (R-FL) announcement that he intends to retire from the House of Representatives when his current term expires in 2011.

A La Opinión interview with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, titled “Pelosi advocates reform” (“Pelosi aboga por la reforma” ), appears today in all impreMedia publications. Pelosi is quoted as saying that “I hope to pass immigration reform this year” and “Last week I spoke with the president about the issue, and he reiterated his promise to work with both houses (of Congress) to create a bill that could be passed.”