Today Mitt Romney is in California for fundraising. He will be met by undocumented students protesting his stance on the DREAM Act. One of the message the protestors are sending is that Mitt Romney can forget about the Latino vote if he opposes the most popular form of immigration reform today; immigration reform for undocumented students. It’s a bit of a stretch to say one of the goals is to have Mitt Romney change his stance, protestors understand that what is promises during campaigns become “i’ll try” during office. Especially with “etch-a-sketch” Romney. Indirectly this message is also for Obama, who overwhelmingly holds the Latino vote, which for the most part represents undocumented students and workers. The message is, “we’re organizing, we’re registering to vote, and we won’t forgive Democrats if you don’t embark on a serious attempt at passing the DREAM Act and/or immigration reform.”

(Flickr: Dave Lawrence)

via Huffington Post

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Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for low income medical government programs, and most can not afford full cost medical services and prescriptions. As a result undocumented women are turning to the underground medical markets for birth control and contraception. Many low income American citizens are also following these steps as they themselves can not afford medical services.

(Flickr: Stacy Lynn)

via New American Media

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There's an immigration bill that is gaining support on both sides of the isle. This is both surprising and it's not. There are roughly around 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., mostly from Latin America and Asia, but this bill completely ignores that; mocks it quite frankly. The bill, proposed by Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown would grant 10,500 visas Irish nationals each year. So I guess if you want to get your green card, become an Irish national.

(Flickr: Truthout.org)

via US News

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There's been a lot of speculation over Marco Rubio jumping on the VP slot. For the GOP it seems like a good fit as he's not terribly hated by the different sects of the GOP, AND he's Latino. The GOP epic primaries had more than it's fare share of Latino bashing and this seems like a great opportunity for the party so save face.

(Flickr: Gage Skidmore)

via Huffington Post

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Kris Kobach, the brain behind voter suppression and anti-immigration, is at full throttle this year. This article is a great quick survey of his recent efforts. From the looks of it he's coming with a lot of steam, can he be stopped?

via Colorlines.com

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Fernando Dominguez was dying from pneumonia in an immigration detention facility so GEO Group, the company who ran the facility, released Dominguez to his family in efforts to externalize the medical and burial costs.

(Flickr: faul)

via Huffington Post

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There's a backlog of visas granted through the Violence Against Women Act and while some want that backlog to rollover to the new reauthorization of the bill and raise the 10,000  cap, some republicans want to prevent that rollover, citing fraud as a concern.

(Flickr: Bradley Johnson)

via Mother Jones

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Members of the the Southern Miss pep band have been disciplined in response to the racist chant, "Where's your green card," directed at Puerto Rican Kansas State player.

via Washington Post

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Can someone send this to Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich? The former has stated that Puerto Rico needs to adopt English as its official language before being considered for statehood and the latter considers Spanish as "the language of the ghetto."

(Flickr: Cory M Grenier)

via NY TIMES

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Melissa did everything right. She got As in high school, went to college, served in the military, yet her social mobility has arguably regressed. She attributes much of her fortune to the lack of financial education her parents were exposed to in a manner that makes her situation strikingly similar to the way in which Latino/s and people of color were targeted with faulty loans during the rise of the housing market bubble. Is her story an isolated incident or part of a larger trend?

(Flickr: Alan Cleaver)

via Washington Post

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Latina/os are now smack dab in the middle of contemporary/pop culture. And this seems to just be the beginning. Huff Po, here, compiles a beginners list of sorts including Louis C.K., Sonia Sotomayor, J-Lo, and Robert Rodriguez. CLICK BELOW FOR SLIDE SHOW

(Flickr: Jungleboy 叢林男孩)

via Huffington Post

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Some border patrol agents detain as low as four immigrants a year. It would seems a tragic waste of money for Arizona to throw money behind a form of immigration control that doesn't make anyone's life better.

(Flickr: Allen Ormond)

via AzCentral.com

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SXSW is an amazing gathering of artists and their work. And like with everything else, it wouldn't be possible without the hard work of service workers. As part of an effort to thank and highlight workers at SXSW the AFL-CIO, and the Austin Central Labor Council have launched the series, 'The Work Connects Us All.'

via News Taco

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How far will for-profit immigrant detention centers go for a dollar!? Pembroke Pines voted to cutoff water and waste services to Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) in Southwest Ranches; a clear message that South Floridians repudiate the private and abusive facilities! The response? CCA is NOW suing the town and going to the extreme to continue this nightmare.

(Flickr: watchingfrogsboil)

via Broward/Palm Beach New Times

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Considering Latina women suffer from higher rates of ovarian cancer and oral contraception decreases likelihood of ovarian cancer by 60%, the GOP's attack on women burdens Latina women disproportionately.

(Flickr: gageskidmore)

via Huffington Post

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The bombardment Arizona started isn't slowing down. The Mississippi house just passed a bill that would require police to check immigration status upon arrests.

(Flickr: auvet)

via Huffington Post

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Busy week in voter discrimination news. Earlier this week the Dept. of Justice blocked voter ID laws in Wisconsin and Texas, while Pennsylvania passed its voter id law today.

(Flickr: wallyg)

via cbsnews

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Now all of a sudden everyone is Latino. First Mitt Romney touted his Mexican father. Now Santorum claim's he was dubbed "Senador Puertorriqueño."

(Flickr: gageskidmore)

via Huffington Post

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Is this a right step forward? Immigration detention facilites have had more than their fare share of human rights violations, especially when it comes to privately own and/ran facilities. Of course the best scenario is to decriminalize immigration, but will this do for now?

via NY Times