Newsmotion - Latino

Aspiring Americans Share their Stories as Senate Debates Immigration Reform

feed — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:41:50 +0000

Aspiring Americans Share their Stories as Senate Debates Immigration Reform

Tue, 05/21/2013

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden meet with DREAMers who have received Deferred Action and U.S. citizen family members of undocumented immigrants, in the Oval Office, May 21, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

As the Senate debates bipartisan immigration reform legislation, the President and the Vice President hosted a meeting today in the Oval Office with young immigrants, also known as DREAMers, as well as with the siblings and spouses of undocumented immigrants. The meeting was an important opportunity for the President and the Vice President to hear directly from people whose families are affected daily by our nation’s broken immigration system.

The President and the Vice President were moved by the stories of courage and determination these young immigrants shared. The DREAMers shared how the deferred action changed their lives for the better and emphasized that they and their families need a permanent solution that will allow them to fully contribute to the country they call home. Their stories were both powerful and authentic, inspiring us all to remember the important task and responsibility we carry as public servants and members of the Obama administration.

Story URL:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/05/21/aspiring-americans-share-their-stories...

President Obama Reaffirms the United States-Mexico Relationship

feed — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:01:38 +0000

President Obama Reaffirms the United States-Mexico Relationship

Fri, 05/03/2013

President Barack Obama greets President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico at the Palacio Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico, May 2, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

On the first day of his trip to Mexico and Costa Rica, President Obama was in Mexico City for meetings and a joint press conference with President Peña Nieto.

The two leaders, who first met in Washington, DC last November, discussed the broad range of issues that bind our nations and affect the daily lives of citizens in both countries, and renewed their commitment to a strong relationship between the United States and Mexico.

President Barack Obama participates in a press conference with President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico at the Palacio Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico, May 2, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

While working together to confront urgent challenges like security, “we can’t lose sight of the larger relationship between our peoples, including the promise of Mexico’s economic progress,” President Obama said. “I believe we’ve got a historic opportunity to foster even more cooperation, more trade, more jobs on both sides of the border, and that’s the focus of my visit.”

Story URL:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/05/03/president-obama-reaffirms-united-state...

President Obama Visits Mexico and Costa Rica

feed — Thu, 02 May 2013 20:00:08 +0000

President Obama Visits Mexico and Costa Rica

Thu, 05/02/2013

Today, President Obama will make his fourth visit to Mexico and continue on to Costa Rica on what is also his sixth visit to Latin America. On this journey, the President hopes to highlight and reinforce the deep cultural, familial, and economic ties that so many Americans share with Mexico and Central America, and to promote economic growth across the region.

Ahead of these visits, President Obama convened two important consultations at the White House to hear from U.S. businesses and U.S. Latino leaders. The purpose of these meetings was to hear from business working directly in the region, and organizations with a particular interest in Latin America and its diaspora in the United States, about ways to foster economic development and growth for our shared future as a hemisphere.

Last Friday, a group of business leaders, representing a cross-section of companies doing business in Mexico and Latin America, held a lively discussion with the President. The meeting was a chance for the President to hear about emerging trends in the Western Hemisphere and what the United States government can do to foster economic growth in the Americas to help companies create jobs for middle class families on both sides of the border.

Story URL:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/05/02/president-obama-visits-mexico-and-cost...

Un nègre à l’assaut de la Basilique…

feed — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:19:42 +0000

Un nègre à l’assaut de la Basilique…

Tue, 02/12/2013

Crédit: MorgueFile

Comme vous, j’ai appris hier la démission du patron de l’église catholique. Pourquoi cela a-t-il eu tant d’écho ? Eh bien parce que ce poste, ce n’est pas comme la présidence du FMI, qu’on quitte après des galipettes au Sofitel ; ce n’est pas la présidence d’une quelconque République, qu’on quitte à la fin de deux mandats, ou après un vote du Parlement. Être Pape, c’est autre chose ; c’est appartenir à Dieu, rien qu’à lui ! C’est être président du plus petit et du plus puissant état de la planète ; c’est être le chef d’un royaume ayant la plus forte diaspora au monde. Bien qu’on soit désigné par des évêques, il s’agirait d’un choix purement divin (enfin, c’est ce qui se dit). Et ce poste est régit par le droit canon, un droit de Dieu, même si Dieu a fini de légiférer depuis les tablettes de Moïse.

Lorsqu’on est Pape, on est chef de l’église de Dieu. On est comme le Prince de l’Univers, on est plus puissant qu’Obama et Poutine réunis. Je me suis toujours demandé l’opportunité d’un tel poste, mais rassurez-vous, je le respecte énormément.

Le Pape Benoît 16, après avoir examiné plusieurs fois sa Conscience devant Dieu, a décidé de quitter ses fonctions, en raison du poids de son âge. Sagesse ou tactique ? Dieu seul le sait.

Oui, Benoît 16 est vieux. Il a été désigné Pape à l’âge de 78 ans, occasion de s’interroger sur les conditions d’éligibilité des Papes. Hier, à l’annonce de la nouvelle, je me suis rué vers le petit séminaire de Cacaveli (St Jean-Baptiste de La Salle) , où je me suis lié d’amitié à plusieurs frères religieux, et à un curé.

Pourquoi faut-il un Pape vieux ?

La réponse des frères religieux a été directe, joyeuse, et pas vraiment sérieuse :

« On ne peut pas choisir un Pape, plus jeune que le président américain, russe, ou européen. Il n’y aura plus un véritable respect pour la fonction, si le pape est invité à des dîners par des présidents, ou à une partie de chasse, par d’autres. Ça va vraiment pas être cool. »

Oui mais, Benoît, lui était encore plus vieux non ?

« Aphtal, toi aussi tu es au courant des scandales et des abominations commis par des curés et des hommes d’église ! Cela veut dire que nul n’est parfait. Alors, même si le pape, que Dieu me pardonne, désire se le faire astiquer, au oins, son absence d’érection, ses maux de prostate, son diabète, et autres maladies séniles l’en empêcheront ! Il y va de l’honorabilité de la fonction. »

D’accord, mais cela ne suppose-t-il pas que vous offrez un moribond en sacrifice à l’éternel ? Pourquoi ne pas confier cette tâche à un jeune et vigoureux homme de la trentaine, qui y sacrifiera son énergie, sa force, et sa jeunesse ? Dieu n’a-t-il pas demandé qu’on lui donne en sacrifice le meilleur mouton du cheptel ?

« Hé musulman là, laisse-moi terminer ma lessive ! Le meilleur mouton du cheptel n’est pas forcément le plus jeune ; mais aussi le plus mûr et le plus expérimenté. Si tu veux nous aider, quitte ici et va prier pour le pape, et pour ceux qui auront la charge de lui désigner un successeur. »

Quid de la race du Pape ?

Oui, un successeur, d’accord, mais, je suis sûr qu’on va encore nous désigner un Blanc, précisément un européen comme Pape. Pourquoi tu penses cela, Aphtal ? Oh c’est toujours pareil. Le FMI, c’est pour l’Europe, la Banque Mondiale, c’est pour les États-Unis, rien pour l’Afrique, même pas la Basilique. Il a fallut longtemps, oh très longtemps pour voir un noir à la Maison Blanche. Combien d’années faut-il encore, pour qu’un nègre soit Pape ?

« Tsrou, tu parle trop, et puis tu poses trop de questions. Cela n’a rien à voir avec la race, c’est Dieu qui inspire et qui désigne le Pape ; qu’il soit japonais, coréen, indien, ou angolais, c’est le Dieu qui l’aura choisi.»

Alors là votre Dieu, il est raciste, ma parole. Jean, Marc, Judas, Paul et consorts n’étaient pas africains. Il a choisi Jésus, né à Bethléem, comme Prophète ; il a choisi Mahomet, né quelque part en Arabie, comme Prophète, et c’est tout. Depuis, il n’y a jamais eu un seul prophète noir originaire d’Afrique. Si c’est comme ça, votre Dieu n’est pas Africain, et votre Pape ne pourra jamais être noir.

« Aph, je n’ai jamais refusé répondre à tes questions, lorsque tu viens en néophyte, comme d’habitude. Mais lorsque tu viens avec tes a priori, et peut-être, désire des informations pour ton blog, que j’aime bien mais que tu prends trop au sérieux, tu sais très bien qu’on ne remplit pas une coupe déjà pleine. »

Il ne répondit plus. J’en conclus que je l’ai peut-être offensé, ou peut-être avais-je raison. Il y a plus de chrétiens catholiques en Afrique qu’en Europe. En Amérique latine, également, le nombre de fervents catholiques bat tous les records. Du coup, les catholiques européens font à peine le quart de la population catholique.

Franchement, Dieu, si c’est vraiment Toi qui désigne le Pape, il faut revoir sa couleur ! Un gringo, ou un negro à la tête de Ton cheptel, ça ne fait pas mignon ? Hein ?

Et si Frère Émile avait raison? Peut-être que je prends trop au sérieux ce blog. Je vais prendre des congés, et me ressourcer.

J’ai dit.

Story URL:

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mondoblog/qfik/~3/I05CQGx8ulE/

President Obama's Four Part Plan for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

feed — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 19:30:26 +0000

President Obama's Four Part Plan for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Tue, 01/29/2013

President Barack Obama delivers remarks on immigration at Del Sol High School in Las Vegas, Nev., Jan. 29, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Today, President Obama spoke from Las Vegas about creating a fair and effective immigration system that lives up to our heritage as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.

"I’m here because most Americans agree that it’s time to fix a system that’s been broken for way too long." President Obama said. "I’m here because business leaders, faith leaders, labor leaders, law enforcement, and leaders from both parties are coming together to say now is the time to find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as the land of opportunity. Now is the time to do this so we can strengthen our economy and strengthen our country’s future."

The good news, President Obama said, is that for the first time in many years, there is bipartisan support for comprehensive immigration reform. But action must follow.

"We can't allow immigration reform to get bogged down in an endless debate. We've been debating this a very long time," he explained. "As a consequence, to help move this process along, today I’m laying out my ideas for immigration reform."

President Obama's proposal for immigration reform has four parts. First, continue to strengthen our borders. Second, crack down on companies that hire undocumented workers. Third, hold undocumented immigrants accountable before they can earn their citizenship; this means requiring undocumented workers to pay their taxes and a penalty, move to the back of the line, learn English, and pass background checks. Fourth, streamline the legal immigration system for families, workers, and employers.

Story URL:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/01/29/watch-live-president-obama-speaks-comp...

Hispanic-American Families Just Can’t Afford Tax Increases

feed — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 21:11:13 +0000

Hispanic-American Families Just Can’t Afford Tax Increases

Thu, 12/06/2012

As the debate over the so-called "fiscal cliff" in Washington continues, much of the conversation centers on deficit reduction, revenues, and tax rates. But what is easily lost in that conversation is the very real meaning this has for families all across America. The fact is Hispanic-American families just can't afford tax increases right now, but that's what will happen if Congress fails to act. In fact the median Hispanic family of four would see their income taxes rise by $2,200. An astounding 99 percent of Hispanic families will be affected.

President Obama is committed to growing our economy from the middle out by ensuring a strong, secure, and thriving middle-class, and is proposing a balanced approach. There is no reason to hold middle-class families hostage while we debate tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. Below you'll find a link to a fact sheet that shows how Hispanic families will be affected. We're also asking all of you to tell us what $2,000 means to your family's budget. Take a look at our #My2K page, and tell us on twitter what that money means to you.

And download the fact sheet on the Fiscal Cliff and Hispanic-American families here.

Story URL:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/12/06/hispanic-american-families-just-can-t-...

Honoring the Memory of My Grandfather, César E. Chávez

feed — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 21:42:53 +0000

Honoring the Memory of My Grandfather, César E. Chávez

Mon, 10/08/2012

President Barack Obama and Helen Chávez place a rose at the gravesite of César Chávez before the dedication ceremony for the César E. Chávez National Monument in Keene, Calif., Oct. 8, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Today the President traveled to Keene, California to honor the memory of César Estrada Chávez, by designating the property at Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz as a National Monument. Although César Chavez was one of my heroes, he was also my grandfather which made today’s dedication so moving and powerful. La Paz was my grandparents home and the headquarters of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW) since the early 1970s but to a young child growing up in the farm workers’ movement it was also our playground.

Growing up in La Paz I spent a lot of time with my grandfather and my grandmother Helen, who still lives on the property. I ran around like any child, playing with my cousins, enjoying the beautiful nature that surrounds it, going on hikes, and even doing Yoga with my grandfather. But I also grew up sitting in on organizing sessions with thousands of farmworkers who prepared for any number of campaigns for basic rights, like clean drinking water, protection from pesticides, or just basic wages. There wasn’t a day I didn’t hear stories from my mom and her sisters about how difficult it was working in the fields when they were younger, so when it became our turn to do our part to support my grandfather, I didn’t think twice. Often times we’d go for “a drive” with my grandfather and find ourselves spending the day leafleting and knocking on doors to mobilize farmworkers. La Paz was my grandparents’ home, my home, and home to hundreds of volunteers that built the farm workers movement, but I always knew it was so much more than that.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at the Naval Observatory

feed — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 21:46:20 +0000

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at the Naval Observatory

Thu, 09/27/2012

On Wednesday evening at the Naval Observatory, Vice President and Dr. Biden hosted their fourth annual reception in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which began on September 15 and continues through October 15. In the past and upcoming weeks, communities across the country will celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans with ancestors from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

We’re proud to serve Vice President Biden and this Administration, which has continued to push to “widen the circle of opportunity for the Hispanic community and keep the American dream within reach for all who seek it,” as President Obama said in his proclamation this year.

Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a Hispanic Heritage Month reception with Dr. Jill Biden and high school senior Ashley Guzman, at the Naval Observatory Residence in Washington, D.C., September 26, 2012. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Welcoming New Citizens to the American Family

feed — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 18:30:00 +0000

Welcoming New Citizens to the American Family

Wed, 09/12/2012

Yesterday, I had the privilege of speaking at a naturalization ceremony in Alexandria, Virginia.

We celebrated an extraordinary milestone for 26 individuals—U.S. citizenship.

It was a day of celebration… and a day of remembrance.

Eleven years ago yesterday, on a warm and bright and sunny fall morning, our country suffered one of its darkest moments.

None of us will ever forget where we were when the attacks occurred. I was watching the Today Show as my daughter got ready for school. After hearing the report that the first plane had hit the North Tower, my daughter and I sat together on her bed, holding hands, and stared in disbelief as Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower.

In the days that followed, all Americans were profoundly moved by the incredible outpouring of sympathy and support from around the world for the devastation we suffered.

As we marked the anniversary of 9/11, we remember those that were lost. We remember the 2,753 killed in New York, 184 killed at the Pentagon, and 40 killed on Flight 93.

We remembered the heroism of the first responders who courageously, without a moment’s hesitation, rushed into the Twin Towers to help.

We are so grateful for our servicemen and women who have fought for years to keepour country safe and protect our cherished freedoms, including those who have sacrificed their lives defending us.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals: Who Can Be Considered?

feed — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:55:52 +0000

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals: Who Can Be Considered?

Wed, 08/15/2012

Ed. note: This post was originally published on dhs.gov.

Today, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will begin accepting requests for consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals. Deferred action is a discretionary determination to defer removal action of an individual as an act of prosecutorial discretion. Under this process, USCIS will consider requests on a case-by-case basis. While this process does not provide lawful status or a pathway to permanent residence or citizenship, individuals whose cases are deferred will not be removed from the United States for a two year period, subject to renewal, and may also receive employment authorization. To be considered for this process, you must show that:

You came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday
You have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time
You were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012
You entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or your lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012
You are currently in school, have graduated or obtained your certificate of completion from high school, have obtained your general educational development certification, or you are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States
You have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat
You were present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS