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.
Secure Communities program up for review
The program that sends immigrants, who are booked for local crimes, to immigration officials is being looked into by Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson. He’s calling for a “fresh start” for the controversial program. There have been complaints that immigrants have been deported without committing violent crimes. Police and sheriffs have also said that undocumented immigrants don’t work with police because of the fear of deportation.
h/t the Associated Press
Should Dreamers be serving in the U.S. military?
Sen. Dick Durbin is holding a hearing on the role immigrants play in the armed forces. And is including the possibility of allowing Dreamers, undocumented youth, to enroll in the military. As of now, they aren’t permitted to serve, even though some youths have deferred action, which provides a work permit and deportation relief. Senate Democrats are considering citizenship for undocumented immigrants who would serve in the armed forces as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.
h/t Politico
Sonic Trace: Her first protest, her first arrest
While immigration reform is going nowhere on Capitol Hill, activists continue the push for immigration relief.
Neidi Dominguez, 25, is one of Southern California’s most active immigration organizers. She got involved with the movement after she found out she was undocumented at a young age. And when she graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, she completely devoted herself to organizing.
Listen to her recall her first major protest and the time she got arrested.
Border Patrol’s procedures raise eyebrows
The U.S. Border Patrol’s use of force has been under fire following increased reports of agents using lethal force towards Mexicans on the Mexican side of the border. The agency has been under scrutiny after an uptick of shootings at rock throwers, while agents’ actions have yet to be reviewed. NPR reports on a 2012 shooting and the surrounding questions.
Tracing tequila’s name: which came first, the city or the drink?
According to townspeople of Tequila, Jalisco in Mexico, the villagers named the drink after the region. PRI’s The World looks at the history.