Tracing Points: 5 immigration stories you missed this week

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Tracing Points

 Each week, we put you on the map with immigration and transnational culture stories you might have missed throughout the week. And if you’ve come across any articles worth mentioning, write to us sonic.trace@kcrw.org or tweet us @SonicTrace_KCRW.

President Obama may step in, if Congress doesn’t

While immigration reform legislation isn’t going anywhere, President Obama’s administration may unveil new policy changes to provide relief to some undocumented immigrants. According to Reuters, the Department of Homeland Security is reviewing deportation enforcement, and immigration officials are to suggest changes. Sources tell Reuters that the changes might come into play on who is deported and a possible deferred action program for immigrants meeting certain criteria. The White House has yet to comment.

Devi Ramirez, 26, has been involved with Aztec dancing since she was 16 years old. (Photo: Devi Ramirez)

Keeping Aztec dancing alive in Los Angeles

When 26-year-old Devi Ramirez first got involved with Aztec dancing, it was a way to get out of the house.

“My neighbor had told my mom that she started doing Aztec dancing because she wanted her kids to get out of the house and stop watching TV,” she says. “And I overheard that and I kind of decided to go along with it too.”

It ended up shaping who she was — an undocumented student living in Los Angeles. Listen to the Sonic Trace story here.

Tourists in Tijuana experience less partying, more art

Tijuana’s tourist attraction — which once was its partying and donkey zebras — has a different stroke: its street art scene. A tour guide business, Tourista Libre (liberated tourist), is presenting outsiders a different look of the border town and shows them the art that’s coloring the city. NPR’s Shereen Marisol Meraji reports on why people are falling in love with TJ, and it’s not because of the tequila.

Latin American films at Tribeca highlight youth and music 

At this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, Latin American films highlight youth and music. But it’s not about just music or just youth. Filmmakers are using music as the background of the story as they intertwine characters living in young adulthood or childhood. Here, “Pelo Malo” is about a Venezuelan boy finding his identity through his hair  — you’ll hear what we mean about the music.

h/t Remezcla.

#MexicanProblemsNight

The internet gathered on Wednesday night to commemorate childhood memories — and maybe even stereotypes — of being Mexican. Folks on twitter used the hashtag #MexicanProblemsNight to talk about the infamous chancla, favorite pastimes and popular TV shows. Check some of them out here. And for my mexicanos out there, does it ring true or nah?