Tag: Washington

Stories

Despite Obamacare Gains, Undocumented Immigrants Largely Excluded

Undocumented Latinos are hard hit when it comes to getting health care under the Affordable Care Act.

Stories

What the DOMA Ruling Means for Gay Binational Couples

Erwin de Leon has a clear path to becoming a U.S. citizen now that the Supreme Court repealed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

At the Heart of Immigration Reform, a Law That Would Make Families Whole Again

Hundreds of thousands of immigrant rights supporters rallied before Capital Hill, Wednesday, in support of compassionate immigration reform.

Commentary: What to Expect In Obama’s 2nd Term – Small Steps at Immigration Reform

Obama won support from Latinos and immigrants by promising reform. Now he has to act.

Despite Legalized Gay Marriage, a Missing Piece for Immigrants

Part of Erwin de Leon’s American dream was to live openly and with integrity. In this commentary he tells us why gay marriage is his issue.

At International AIDS Conference a Focus on Travel & Migration Restrictions for HIV-Positive People

While the Obama administration lifted a long-standing travel and immigration ban on those who test positive for HIV, many nations around the world maintain restrictions on admitting HIV-positive people.

Latin Evangelical Immigration Services

De Leon: Evangelicals Are Polarizing the Immigrant Rights Movement

As the Latino population grows in the evangelical church, many Christian groups are embracing immigration reform. But their stance on LGBT issues makes some partners in the national immigrant rights movement uncomfortable.

In State of the Union, President Obama Lowers Expectations on Immigration

The President proposed small steps to improve the immigration system, focusing on the DREAM Act and the need to change the policy of sending foreign students home after they graduate from U.S. colleges and universities.

Block on Payroll Tax Cut Means GOP Hands Latino Vote to Dems. (Again.)

paycheck

A paycheck for zero dollars. (Photo: Jima/flickr)

Stalled in Congress is a bill which extends the payroll tax cut for two months, thanks to the intransigence of a handful of House GOP freshmen.  If the measure is not passed by the end of the year, 160 million of us will see our paychecks cut by an average of $40. Those among us who access Medicare and unemployment benefits will also suffer greatly.

Among the millions who will have less money to survive on are Latinos and other immigrants who are here legally or are naturalized citizens.  Many will be voting come November and rest assured, they will have immigration and bread and butter issues on their minds.

Latinos are the poorest according to the Census’ Supplemental Poverty Measure. Over six million Latino children, more than any other group, are living in poverty.  The net worth of Latino families shrank the most during the Great Recession. The payroll tax cut, which may seem paltry to wealthy lawmakers, makes a huge difference to struggling families.

Rational conservatives are lambasting their mulish comrades. The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board warns that if this impasse is not breached, Republicans might as well gird themselves for a second Obama term. Even some GOP senators who fear losing their seats next November have spoken out against their counterparts in the lower chamber.

If they’d like a chance of winning any Latino votes in 2012, House Republicans should heed these warnings.

More than 6.6 million Latinos – about seven percent of all voters – voted in last year’s midterm elections. Many more are expected to turn out for next year’s presidential and general elections. Who do you think they will vote for?

You can follow Erwin de Leon on Twitter or read his blog.

Feet in Two Worlds is supported by the New York Community Trust and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation with additional support from the Mertz Gilmore Foundation and the Sirus Fund.  Feet in Two Worlds podcasts are supported in part by WNYC, New York Public Radio.

Romney: A Flip-Flopper on Immigration or a Bona Fide Hardliner?

Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has been accused of flip-flopping on issues, chief among them immigration. But has his stance on immigration really shifted that much?