On Fronteras: Laredo Residents Give Donald Trump A Mixed Review
This week on Fronteras…
--Protesters met Donald Trump at the border in Laredo but the GOP presidential candidate insisted he’ll win the hearts and votes of Latinos.
--In New Mexico, faith leaders are objecting to proposed changes that would make it harder to get food stamps.
--Tijuana's mayor recently sent hundreds of homeless migrants into drug rehabilitation, but not everyone who was rounded up was homeless.
--In Houston, attorneys are tackling the backlog of cases for unaccompanied minors who crossed into the US last summer.
--A Dallas program helps teen moms deal with the financial responsibilities of taking care of a child.
--Cuban born artist Rocio Rodriguez uses the light and landscape of West Texas to create art.
Candidate Trump Ignores Protesters In Laredo
Protesters in heavily Hispanic Laredo Texas met Donald Trump’s plane at the Laredo airport on Thursday. The Republican Presidential candidate is waging a battle against illegal immigration and has called Mexican immigrants criminals and rapists.
The billionaire businessman’s visit to the border literally did “Trump” media coverage being sought by all of the GOP candidates. He was all over the news. And though he was faced with loud protesters –and some supporters- Trump didn’t acknowledge the indignation that confronted him. In fact, he insisted he’ll win the Hispanic vote. Texas Public Radio’s Joey Palacios followed Trump during his afternoon on the border and took the pulse of the people who live there.
New Mexico Faith Leaders Protest Proposed Food Stamp Changes
One in five New Mexico residents receives food stamps—that’s almost half a million people. There are concerns some recipients could be forced out of the federally funded program if new rules are put into place. And many religious leaders are taking a stand against the possible change.
KUNM’s Marisa Demarco reports faith leaders don’t see feeding the hungry as a partisan issue. They see it as an important part of their faith.
Tijuana’s Homeless Migrant Rehabilitation Plan Flawed
Four months ago, Tijuana's mayor put hundreds of homeless migrants into drug rehabilitation centers across the city. The move was unprecedented, and raised human rights concerns. KPBS Fronteras reporter Jean Guerrero followed up with some of the migrants, and found that the relocation hasn't gone exactly as planned.
Immigrant Attorneys Tackling Unaccompanied Minor Case Backlog
Remember the thousands of unaccompanied minors who crossed into the U.S. from Mexico last year? That number has dropped sharply, but many are still waiting to learn their legal status. Syeda Hasan of Houston Public Media has an update.
Dallas Non-Profit Helping Teen Moms Find Jobs
While those immigrant minors wait on the outcome of their cases, other minors find themselves facing the challenge of motherhood. Having a baby to care for means new responsibilities, especially financial ones, and landing a good job can be tough. Courtney Collins reports, helping those young women has become the mission of one Dallas non-profit.
West Texas Landscape Influences Cuban Born Artist
Now we move to West Texas where a new exhibit opened at the Marfa Contemporary, featuring Rocio Rodriguez, a Cuban-born artist living in Atlanta. She spent last Fall in Marfa, creating the works featured in the show, entitled “Framing the Unframable.” At the opening reception Marfa Public Radio’s Tom Michael talked with Rodriguez about the West Texas landscape and how it influenced her unique work.
Fronteras is a public radio program about issues along the Texas-Mexico border and changing demographics in the Southwest. This week’s Fronteras host is Shelley Kofler from Texas Public Radio. Alexis Yancey produced the broadcast.