Stories by Marcelo Ballve

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In Mississippi, Latinos Rebuild The Coast and Revitalize The Economy, But Are Still Targeted by Harsh Raids

Posted on: Sep 15, 2011, Source: New American Media

Since 2005, Hispanics have been pouring into Mississippi, helping to rebuild the coast and comprising a vital force in the state's economy.

DREAM Act Dies in Senate, But Dream Lives On

Posted on: Dec 19, 2010, Source: New America Media

Even in the midst of the legislative post-mortem, there were signs of hope for a new DREAM Act in the future -- perhaps even in next year's Congress.

ICE Numbers Belie Obama Promise on Immigration Enforcement

Posted on: Apr 19, 2010, Source: New America Media

Obama's ICE promised to “focus on the employer” and pursue “aggressive criminal and civil enforcement against (employers) who knowingly violate the law.”

HBO Film Delves into Immigration Reform’s "Senators' Bargain"

Posted on: Mar 23, 2010, Source: New America Media

The inside story of Ted Kennedy's all-out push to pass an immigration reform bill in 2007 is told in "The Senators’ Bargain," a revealing new documentary airing this week.

Today's Immigration Reform Rally A Milestone

Posted on: Mar 21, 2010, Source: New America Media

Whatever its ultimate impact on immigration politics this year, the rally served to galvanize a new cohort of immigrant activists, especially young people and recent immigrants.

Immigrant advocates say immigration enforcement worse under Obama

Posted on: Mar 8, 2010, Source: New America Media

Prominent immigrant advocates launched their most sharply worded public critique yet of the Obama administration’s immigration policy.

Immigration Reform Advocates Losing Patience with Obama

Posted on: Feb 22, 2010, Source: New America Media

Obama promised sweeping changes to the immigration system. “Yeah, things are changing,” says an advocate from Florida. “They’re getting worse.”

Is the Obama Administration Stalling on 'White Collar' Immigration Crime?

Posted on: Sep 1, 2009, Source: New America Media

Mass immigration raids are up in the first five months of Obama's presidency, despite promises of reform.

A Year Without a Mexican: The Debilitating Loss of Economic Lifeblood

Posted on: Apr 1, 2009, Source: Mother Jones

Undocumented workers were the economic lifeblood of small towns like Postville, Iowa -- until the immigration cops showed up.

Secular Voices Sound on Papal Succession

Posted on: Apr 12, 2005, Source: Pacific News Service

Latin American politicians, eager to put their region back on the world's radar screen, are openly promoting Latin American cardinals for the papacy, sometimes to the chagrin of Catholic Church leaders.

Paving the Amazon

Posted on: Mar 4, 2005, Source: Pacific News Service

In the aftermath of the assassination of Dorothy Stang, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva is scrambling to appear green. But many fear that an unholy alliance between government and agribusiness will bring more forest destruction.

Remembering Che

Posted on: Sep 22, 2004, Source: Pacific News Service

Che's story is more complicated than most moviegoers will guess.

Politics of Risk

Posted on: Sep 1, 2004, Source: AlterNet

We now live in a 'risk society,' where voters are looking to choose not the best leader, but the safest one.

DNA Fingerprinting Trend Threatens Genetic Privacy

Posted on: Jul 14, 2004, Source: Pacific News Service

The collection of DNA samples is expanding nationwide. Civil libertarians say privacy and the presumption of innocence are in jeopardy.

The Man Behind 'Mexterminator'

Posted on: May 5, 2004, Source: Pacific News Service

Political cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz on Schwarzenegger, immigration, and the media's 'Leave it to Beaver' attitude toward Latinos.

Immigration Nation?

Posted on: Jan 7, 2004, Source: Pacific News Service

A mix of hope and suspicion is filling the editorial pages of the nation's ethnic news media in response to President Bush's new proposal on undocumented immigrants.

'Pirate' Radio In the Barrio

Posted on: Dec 29, 2003, Source: Pacific News Service

Despite FCC crackdowns on microradio broadcasters, one intrepid DJ is sending out over the airwaves the sounds of 'sonido,' a popular grassroots musical style.

U.S. Sanctuary Laws Under Attack

Posted on: Sep 9, 2003, Source: Pacific News Service

New anti-immigration groups are working to overturn a long history of sanctuary laws.

Nation's Ethnic Media Wary Of FCC Changes

Posted on: May 25, 2003, Source: Pacific News Service

Pending changes to media ownership rules are making some publishers and journalists in the nation's growing ethnic media markets nervous -- and a few others expectant.

The Myth of Fingerprints

Posted on: Apr 3, 2003, Source: Pacific News Service

For two men in San Francisco, the hard work they’ve done all their lives has eroded their fingerprints and lost them their jobs.

Will Immigration Reform Help the U.S. Fight Terrorism?

Posted on: Oct 30, 2002, Source: Pacific News Service

The discovery that sniper suspect John Lee Malvo is an undocumented immigrant has reignited the debate over changes to U.S. immigration policy. Both the right, which seeks tighter controls, and the left, which favors an amnesty for illegal aliens, may be erroneously framing the debate around national security.