Texas Becomes Fourth State To Use ICE Fingerprinting Biometric Information Sharing In All County Jails

Usage of the Secure Communities program in identifying illegal aliens arrested by county sheriff's or police for suspected crimes in the U.S. spreading to 32 states.

September 30, 2010

Dallas, Texas (HNNUSA) - On Wednesday, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced through a press release that its "Secure Communities" program was activated in every county jail in Texas as of Tuesday. Texas joins Delaware, Florida and Virginia that are using the program in all their counties. Wisconsin has not joined the new ICE fingerprinting program as of yet and Illinois has 15 counties that are using the biometric program as of September 28.
ICE reported, the activation of the biometric federal information-sharing capability enables ICE to identify any alien booked into local law enforcement's custody for a crime. This capability is part of ICE's comprehensive strategy to improve and modernize the identification and removal of criminal aliens from the United States.
Formerly, during the booking process, arrestees' fingerprints were checked for criminal history information only against the biometric database maintained by the FBI. With the implementation of Secure Communities, this fingerprint information is now automatically and simultaneously checked against both the FBI criminal history records and the biometrics-based immigration records maintained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
If any fingerprints match those of someone in the DHS biometric system, the new automated process notifies ICE. This notification includes aliens who are in lawful status and those who are present without lawful authority. ICE evaluates each case to determine the individual's immigration status and takes appropriate enforcement action. Once identified through fingerprint matching, ICE will respond with a priority placed on aliens convicted of the most serious offenses first - such as those with convictions for major drug offenses, murder, rape and kidnapping. rape and kidnapping.
With the expansion of the biometric information-sharing capability throughout Texas, ICE is now using it in 659 jurisdictions in 32 states. By 2013, ICE plans to be able to respond to all fingerprint matches generated nationwide through IDENT/IAFIS interoperability, according to ICE.

To check if your jurisdiction is activated to share fingerprinting information with ICE (download PDF, includes 50 U.S. states) at link: http://bit.ly/c6CK91

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Frogs Live Habitat Displayed At Milwaukee Public Museum, 165 Species Have Been Extinct

African Clawed Frog – These bizarre frogs look like they have been flattened in a traffic accident. They stand upright underwater with forearms outstretched and wait for food. When a fish swims near the frog, it opens its mouth, causing an inrush of water. It uses its front legs to stuff the prey down its throat.

Photos by HNG

By H. Nelson Goodson
September 30, 2010

Milwaukee - The Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) announced the opening of its Frogs "A Chorus of Colors" in October. There will be 17 species of live frogs in self-contained custom habitats complete with live plants, rock ledges and waterfalls on display. The habitat displays provide lighting, humidity, temperature and water quality control for the frogs. The live habitat exhibit at the MPM runs from from October 1st through January 2, 2011.
Among the frogs that will be at the museum are the most beautiful tiny colorful green, blue, yellow and purple dart poison frogs, which are considered the most poisonous in the Americas. Its secretion can kill 20,000 mice and at least 10 humans. Their sizes range between an inch to less than two inches.
Dart Poison Frogs from the rainforests of the Americas come in a dizzying array of colors and patterns. Some are used by native tribes to poison the tips of blowdarts for hunting. Skin secretions of dart frogs are also being studied by scientists for potential medical use.
In May, the Amphibian Ark Organization reported that 165 number of amphibian species are believed to have already gone extinct, including 39 known to be extinct or extinct in the wild but still survives in captivity, and 130 not found in recent years and possibly extinct.
Statistics: 30% (1,895): of 6,285 amphibian species assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), are threatened extinction. 6% (382) known to be Near Threatened and 25% (1,597) are Data Deficient; ~3,900 species are in trouble.
Scientists claim that frog die-offs is a result of human activity, and the major causes for the decline is habitat destruction, introduced species, chemical pollution, climate changes, over-collection and epidemic diseases. Deformed frogs have been found in the U.S. since 1996. In 44 states, frogs found exhibited extra or missing eyes, legs, and toes. Scientists suspect parasites, pollution and ultraviolet radiation caused the anomalies in frogs.
A major cause for the global extinction of frogs is attributed to amphibian chytrid fungus. The fungus infects the frog skin, causing cell layers to thicken, and interferes by blocking respiration and water regulation in the frogs system. The fungus disease is believed to have originated in South Africa and spread to other parts the world in clawed frogs, which were used in the 1930's for human prenancy tests.
Costly antifungal procedures exists in helping to remove the deadly chytrid fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis from frogs, but continued research is needed to combat the fungus sickening frogs in the wild around the globe.
Today, Zoo's remained about the only option to treat frogs with the deadly fungus in the short term and to keep hundreds of frog species from extinction. Until adequate conservation measures to secure wild populations can be developed. One third to one half of all amphibian species are threatened with extinction, with probably more than 120 already gone in recent years, according to Amphibian Ark Organization.   
Scientists consider frogs as the early warning ecosystems for our environment. The importance about frogs is their role as environment indicators. When pollution or other environmental changes affect a habitat, frogs are the often the first casualties.
In a year, frogs consume billions of insects making them economically valuable to agriculture. They also provide a critical food source for birds, fish, snakes, and other wild life.
Next time you see a frog in the wild or habitat, admire it for its value and contribution in helping our environment stay safe and livable. 

Chinese Gliding Frog

Dart Poison Frogs

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Telemundo Airs Moises Mory Deportation Plight, ICE Agents Confiscated Peruvian Passport With Peru Consul Approval

Moises Mory Lamas

ICE agents confiscating Peruvian passport from Moises Mory Lamas with Peru Consul approval could end up as an international incident.

By H. Nelson Goodson
September 29, 2010

Lima, Peru - On Wednesday, Moises Mory Lamas, who was deported on September 9th from the United States of America to Lima, confirmed during an interview by Telemundo news agency that three U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents confiscated his Peruvian passport inside the Peru Consulate in Newark, New Jersey. (Interview video link: http://bit.ly/deU3ZJ)
On August 12, three ICE agents took Peruvian citizen Mory Lamas to the Peru Consulate in Paterson, from an ICE office he was reporting as required, so Consul Alejandro Beoutis could approve his deportation. Mory Lamas alleged, Consul Beoutis told him he had to surrender his Peruvian passport to ICE, or face legal authorization for ICE to deport him anyway from the Peru government, if he wouldn't comply. He said, that afterwards ICE agents took him home and confiscated his Peruvian passport, as approved and mandated by Consul Beoutis.
A Consulate official has denied that Beoutis or the Consulate was forcing Mory Lamas to give up his Peruvian passport, but an official Peruvian Consulate Act (agreement for voluntary departure) signed by Beoutis and three ICE agents in Spanish confirms otherwise. The Mory Lamas family members alleged, Beoutis and the Consulate might have been provided certain services from the U.S. government for Beoutis cooperation, which they deemed inappropriate.
Mory Lamas is trying to meet with the Peruvian Embassador to file a complaint against Consul Beoutis and is requesting an investigation leading to an agreement by Consul Beoutis to have his Peruvian passport confiscated by ICE agents who actually don't have an official capacity or jurisdiction while at the Consulate under Peruvian law.
Peruvian Consul Beoutis, and three ICE agents were identified in the Act signatures as Juan Mezarina, Oscar Torres and James Laforge along with their official capacity under the names.
On August 23, Mory Lamas was arrested when he failed to buy an airline ticket for voluntary departure. Mory Lamas was taken to the Essex County Correctional Facility, 354 Doremus Avenue in Newark for deportation. His early deportation was video taped by ICE agents from the Essex jail to the New York Kennedy Airport, including his flight all the way to Peru. Mory Lamas was supposed to have departed on September 18, according to the Peruvian Consulate Act agreement.
John Morton, ICE Assistant Secretary and his top administrative officials and the Department of Homeland Security have been contacted via e-mail and have failed to comment or to respond on the Mory Lamas deportation case.
Mory Lamas will continue to challenge his deportation from Peru. He also says, that he was unjustly deported while he had cases pending in court and was suing ICE for not providing him with transcripts of a decision to revoke his deportation during a Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) hearing. A page from the BIA hearing turned up missing in which the BIA decided not to remove Mory Lamas from the U.S. Mory Lamas had previously requested transcripts from other hearings and cases with ICE. Even a federal judge ordered ICE to release the documents to Mory Lamas in order for him to legally defend himself, but ICE failed to provide the documents and abide with the judges order, according to Mory Lamas.
While detained in 2008 in an Alabama detention facility, Mory Lamas at first had limited access to legal documents, a library and the internet to help prepare his case to challenge deportation. He was later transferred to New Jersey again and ICE kept his legal documents from him for numerous months in order for Mory Lamas to miss filing dates with the U.S. Supreme Court.
ICE previous actions shows that officials violated federal Judge Dennis Cavanaugh's order to provide Mory Lamas with transcripts and they intentionally withheld documents for months. The witholding of transcripts and documents from undocumented immigrants is common with ICE, in order for immigrants to miss filing dates and deadlines on BIA immigration cases, and federal court appeal cases, rendering their cases to be closed and then they would get deported (removed from the U.S.).
Reviewing the Mory Lamas deportation case will indeed reveal that ICE reluctance to timely release transcripts when legally requested by undocumented immigrants is common and in most cases illegal.
The Mory Lamas immigration case is just the tip of the ICE and fractured legal system within ICE. A lack of accountability to remedy and remove ICE officials that violate the legal rights of detainees continues to exist today.
Insight details concerning what led to the removal of Mory Lamas from New Jersey by ICE will definately show a broken immigration system and departments within it don't even respect and abide by legal procedures. Mory Lamas had a petition for amnesty, federal cases pending and a work authorization until 2011, and ICE officials allegedly disregarded them and removed Mory Lamas from the U.S.
Mory Lamas had spend at least five years in immigration detention, until he was released in early 2009. Mory Lamas was convicted of possession of drugs, a minor state offense. He pleaded no-contest in 1986, and his lawyer did not advice Mory Lamas of the consequences and possible deportation. He served 6 months in jail and was fined $30.00 for the conviction.
He began his appeal in 1999, served one year in '99 and then served four years from 2004 and was finally released in January 2009. Since then, Mory Lamas was put on an electronic device, had to report to an ICE officer at least twice a week, until he finally was granted a work permit until 2011.
Ruth Mory a U.S. Citizen, his wife had petition for Mory Lamas residency in 2004, under the 1986 amnesty Northwest Immigration Projects.
Mory Lamas had a pending habeas corpus appeal with federal Judge Dennis Cavanaugh in the district of Newark, before being deported.
Mory Lamas has a 17-year-old daughter who is a U.S Citizen.
Ruth Mory, Moises' wife is a cancer survivor, suffers from diabetes and other ailments was taken to the hospital for emotional stress and high blood pressure on Tuesday, September 7, and was released on Thursday, September 9. Family members say, Ruth is suffering from stress and her health could worsen leading to further complications, especially now that ICE deported her husband who was the principle income earner for the family.

Update: For the September 29th Telemundo Spanish interview with Moises Mory Lamas, click at video: http://bit.ly/deU3ZJ

Related article:

New Jersey US ICE Deports Moises Mory Ending 11 Year Deportation Challenge In U.S. http://bit.ly/axM7ow

Copy of official Act in Spanish by the Peru Consulate, and Consul Alejandro Beoutis in Paterson, identifying ICE agents with their signatures, concerning Moisés Roger Mory-Lamas departure from the U.S. (Click on photo to enlarge)

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Obama's Speech Inspired Thousands Of Students In Wisconsin To Vote Next November

Photo: Democrat Underground

Students says they became inspired by President Obama's speech and vowed to come out and vote in November.

By H. Nelson Goodson
September 28, 2010

Madison - President Barack H. Obama's speech was geared to inspire youths and students to come out and vote on November 2nd. Obama came to Wisconsin once again to help motivate and push for the re-election of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (WI-Dem) and to help elect Tom Barrett (Dem) for Governor of Wisconsin in November. Both Feingold and Barrett were present and spoke before Obama.
Obama's visit on Tuesday to Wisconsin makes it the sixth time he has come to the state, since he was elected in 2008. President Obama spoke at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Library Mall after 4:45 p.m. Madison police estimated that 17,000 people filled the Library Mall to capacity and about 9,000 people lined up along the route and were later diverted to other overflow areas.
Thousands of students after the speech said, that they became inspired, motivated and will come out and vote on November.
Obama told the students in the mall, "I need you fired up, Badgers. We need you to stay fired up. Because there's an election on Nov. 2 that's going to say a lot about the future— your future and the future of our country.
Now, two years ago, you defied the conventional wisdom in Washington. The message out there was, no, you can’t. No, you can’t overcome the cynicism of our politics. No, you can’t overcome the power of special interests in Washington. No, you can’t make real progress on the big challenges of our time. No, you can’t elect a skinny guy with a funny name Barack Hussein Obama. They said, no, you can’t. But what did you say, Wisconsin?
Audience: Yes we can! ...
President Obama: And every single one of you is a shareholder in that mission of rebuilding our country and reclaiming our future. And I’m back here today because on November 2nd, we face another test. And the stakes could not be higher...
And this country was confronting a crisis. Instead, what we found when we arrived in Washington was the rawest kind of politics. What we confronted was an opposition party that was still stuck on the same failed policies of the past, whose leaders in Congress were determined from the start to let us deal with the mess that they had done so much to create.
Because their calculation was as simple as it was cynical - they knew that it was going to take a long time to solve the economic challenges we faced. They saw the data. They were talking to the economists. They realized that Obama was walking in and we had just lost 4 million jobs in the six months before I was sworn in; 750,000 jobs the month I was sworn in; 600,000 jobs the month after that; 600,000 jobs that month after that. So before our economic policies could even be put into place, we’d already lost most of the 8 million jobs we would lose.
And they knew that people would be frustrated. And they figured, if we just sit on the sidelines and just say no and just throw bombs and let Obama and the Democrats deal with everything, they figured they might be able to prosper at the polls.
And that’s what they’ve done for the last 20 months. They have said no to just about every idea and policy I’ve proposed - even ideas that historically traditionally, they agreed with. So now the pundits are saying that the base of the Republican Party is mobilized. The prediction among the pundits is this is going to be a bloodletting for Democrats. That’s what they’re saying in Washington.
Audience: Boo!
President Obama: And what they’re saying is - and the basis of their prediction is that all of you who worked so hard in 2008 aren’t going to be as energized, aren’t going to be as engaged. They say there is an enthusiasm gap and that the same Republicans and the same policies that eft our economy in a shambles and the middle class struggling might ride right back into power.
Audience: No!
President Obama: Now, that’s what they’re saying. I’m not making this up. You guys read the papers. You guys are watching the television. They’re basically saying that you’re apathetic, you’re disappointed, you’re “oh, well we’re not sure that we’re going to turn out.”
Wisconsin, we can’t let that happen. We cannot sit this one out. We can’t let this country fall backwards because the rest of us didn’t care enough to fight. The stakes are too high for our country and for your future, and I am going to get out there and fight as hard as I can - and know you are, too - to make sure we keep moving forward," President Obama said.

For President Barack H. Obama full speech at UW-Madison on Tuesday, click video at: http://bit.ly/9hn7nw

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78-year-old Bicyclist Fell And Died In Milwaukee's South Side

Photo by HNG

Senior citizen riding bicycle apparently died of a heart attack, according to a friend who tried to save him.

By H. Nelson Goodson
September 28, 2010

Milwaukee - On Tuesday, a 78-year-old man riding his bicycle in the 1200 block of W. National Ave. fell and died at the East-South corner. A 58-year-old man named Dennis who was just a few doors down saw the bicyclist wobble and then fall from his bicycle just after noon. "I flew down there fast and called 911 and I began to give him CPR because he wasn't breathing. I tried my best to revive him," Dennis said.
It took more than 10 minutes before the fire department responded, according to Linda Williams, 39, who also came to his aid. Williams said, she also called 911 at about 12:27 p.m. and the first emergency assistance arrived around 12:40 p.m.  
The time elapse could not be confirmed by the Fire Department. The police also arrived, but by then the 78-year-old man had expired.
Another witness named Frank, 38, said, he was driving by with his truck at about 12:40 p.m. when emergency personnel were just arriving. "Its crazy, they should have arrived sooner," Frank said.
Williams says, maybe if the fire department personnel would have arrived sooner the bicyclist might have survived. The victim apparently suffered from a heart attack and wasn't breathing, according to Dennis. Dennis said, he knew the victim for eight years and identified him as John Winters. Winters was wearing a helmet, three layers of clothing and long johns and fire department personnel had to cut the layers, according to Dennis.
Tuesday's afternoon temperature was 62 degrees and sunny. Winters died at the scene after efforts by Dennis failed to revive him.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office pick up the body around 2:35 p.m. from the corner.

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Federal Jury Convicted Laredo Police Officer In Texas For Conspiracy To Traffic Cocaine

September 27, 2010

Laredo, Texas (HNNUSA) - A federal jury has convicted suspended Laredo Police Department (LPD) officer Orlando Jesus Hale, 27, aka, "El Chacho," of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and using a firearm in furtherance of that drug offense, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced Monday in a press release. The trial of Hale, from Laredo, began on Sept. 20. Jury deliberations began on Sept. 24 and, after a weekend recess, resumed today and concluded with the return of the verdicts late Monday morning.
The jury convicted Hale of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine between Oct. 15, 2008, and Nov. 30, 2008, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possessing the firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime between Nov. 7 and Nov. 25, 2008.
During the trial, evidence was presented showing that Hale and a fellow LPD officer, Pedro Martinez III, met with an FBI undercover agent posing as a drug dealer in a hotel room in Laredo on Nov. 7, 2008. During the recorded meet, Hale and Martinez discussed how the two officers could escort loads of 20 kilograms each of cocaine from south to north Laredo using their personal vehicles and police-issued radios to monitor dispatch traffic.
On Nov. 13, 2008, first Martinez, then Hale, each escorted a load vehicle during afternoon rush-hour traffic. Each vehicle contained 20 kilograms of sham cocaine person. On Nov. 25, Hale and Martinez arranged to meet the payoff person in San Antonio, Texas, to receive payment for the protective escort services they had provided. Hale and Martinez each received $1,000 from another undercover agent posing as the organization’s moneyman. Martinez, who pleaded guilty prior to trial, testified against Hale.
The drug conspiracy conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment along with a $4 million fine. The firearms conviction charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment upon conviction, which must be served consecutive or upon completion of any term of imprisonment imposed for the underlying drug offense as well as a $250,000 fine. Sentencing has been set for Jan. 10, 2011. Hale has been permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.
The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Immigration Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations and Customs Border Protection with the assistance and cooperation of the LPD. Assistant United States Attorney Roberto F. Ramirez prosecuted the case.

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Global Union 2010 Wraps Up With New York Salsa Orquestra Excelencia, Event Reached Pledge Funding For 2011

Orquesta Excelencia from New York at Humboldt Park in Bay View. Photos by HNG

Thousands of Global Union festivalgoers attend the two day event and donated funds during festival, and 285 people pledged over $15,000 securing next year's event.

By H. Nelson Goodson
September 26, 2010

Bay View, Wisconsin - The yearly, Global Union Music Festival sponsored by Alverno college wrapped up Humboldt Park with La Excelencia, a 12 piece Salsa band from New York. The two day festival was provided free of charge to the community at large. 
On Sunday, Delhi 2 Dublin, Meklit Hadero, and Excelencia performed. On Saturday, Mahala Rai Band, Joan Soriano, and Debo Band with special guests Fendika entertained the crowds.
Global Union, celebrated its fifth anniversary over the weekend with presenting internationally known bands and groups. It began in 2005, Alverno College wanted to bring an array of diverse music to Wisconsin and has succeeded. They have reported more than ten thousand people in attendence through the years for the weekend event.
During the two day event, volunteers were able to move around the crowds and asked for donations to help with the costs. At the end of the event, the emcee announced that 285 people pledged over $15,000 for the 2011 festival. The pledge funding will be matched by partners and businesses dollar per dollar. The festival emcee said, Global Union Music Festival will be back next year and thanked the estimated eight thousand people who attended Sunday's festival for their donations.
The crowd shouted "one more song...one more song...una más" at the end of the Excelencia set and the members of the orquestra returned to the outdoor stage and played two more songs. The crowds listened and dance Salsa to Excelencia.
Food, beverages and crafts were provided by local vendors.
This year, the festival lost some sponsors due to the recession, but the National Endowment for the Arts, Helen Bader Foundation, 800ceoread, and M&I Bank remained as sponsors. Other local sponsors also helped bring the mega international music festival to Milwaukee County in Wisconsin.

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How is Bristol Palin coping with criticism?

Bristol Palin and her partner Mark Ballas are preparing now (click here to watch rehearsal) for their second week in "Dancing with the Stars"!

Although it's an exciting race for Bristol, this self describing "public advocate for teen pregnancy prevention" is currently being a recipient of more criticism. Nevertheless, she is taking it in a positive way, which I think is mostly the appropriate action to stick to. Of course, it will be very natural for her now to get criticism from her judges (which  by the way, will seem to her really tough at times during this season). However, she has also become part now of the circle of mothers who have participated in "Dancing with the Stars"  that have had controversial, public motherhood related lives (such as Kate Gosselin). We can already observe that type of pattern through online columns and other publications. Everyone has their right to express their opinion and I like to read on all kinds of points of view. However, in this particular case, I think Bristol made quite a good move to be part of this ongoing event and I really don't think that this is particularly going to affect her motherhood. There are a lot of public figures with an unbelievable schedule and they have to manage their personal lives as well. Aside from her popularity and publicity, I think she is a nice lady. What do you think though?

Blockbuster, Inc. Files For Bankruptcy

The mega movie rental corporation reported shares lost of 92% of value in 2010

By H. Nelson Goodson
September 23, 2010

Dallas, Texas - On Thursday, the mega movie rental Blockbuster, Inc. filed for bankruptcy to protect the corporation from a creditor takeover. It federal filing includes documents, that it will use a $125 million dollar loan to restructure in order to compete with other movie rental outlets in the market.
Blockbuster hasn't officially announced the filing for bankruptcy, but is expected to release a statement once the filing is completed.
Shareholders who bought the corporation from Viacom, of Paramount Pictures in 2000 have incurred a $900 million dollar debt and has not paid interest on the deficit. This year, the shares lost 92 percent of their value, according to the federal filing.
Blockbuster was founded in 1985 and has roughly 47 million daily customers in the U.S. and 16 countries. Blockbuster operated 9,042 stores, of which 7,158 are company operated stores and 1,884 are franchised stores in the U.S. and internationally. The Dallas based corporation employs 4,500 employees, according to Blockbuster.

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Mexican Community Calling For President Calderon To Remove Consul Rodriguez Arriaga From Chicago

Photos courtesy of MCS

The Mexican Consulate provides services to Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois Mexican nationals. Now, Mexican communities in the tri-state area are calling for Consul Manuel Rodriguez Arriaga ouster.

By H. Nelson Goodson
September 23, 2010

Chicago, Illinois - Members and organizations from the Mexican community in the Chicago area are calling for President Felipe Calderon and the Mexican government to immediately remove the Consul in Chicago. Consul Manuel Rodriguez Arriaga came under fire in early June when it was discovered that he had left out the Mexican Civic Society of Illinois from the official "El Grito" event.
Members of the Mexican community protested in front of the Mexican Consulate for weeks. Before midnight on September 15, they even protested at the night of El Grito Bicentennial Mexican Independence at the Millenium Park in Chicago. The protesters boo and continued to boo Consul Arriaga during his presentation and even yelled "¡Fuera, fuera, fuera Consul Arriaga!" (Out, out, out Consul Arriaga!). The protesters displayed large signs denouncing Arriaga and calling for President Calderon to remove Arriaga from his post.
Everywhere in the globe where large populations of Mexican nationals reside celebrated in unity, including in the U.S., except in Chicago.
Consul Arriaga's common practice is not to comment after repeated requests by Hispanic News Network U.S.A. to do so. In August, Agustin Emilio Pradillo Cuevas, Social Communication Department Chief at the Mexican Consulate said, Arriaga and the consulate would release a statement informing the Chicago community of details of who was handling the accounts and money generated by the Grito event. The information was supposed to have been made available in early September, but has yet to be released.
Protesters alleged, Consul Arriaga is practicing depotism at the Mexican Consulate, lacks transparency in the Grito event, has lacked to provide legal representation or condemn publicaly the deportation of thousands of undocumented Mexican immigrants from Chicago and two other states, slow and inedaquate services to Mexican nationals seeking services at the consulate. Those seeking services have to wait hours to get attended by one person in different areas and departments. Mexican nationals travel long distances for the services such as legal documents and end up experiencing long hours to get the services. The services are paid by Mexican nationals in U.S. dollars, generating millions for the Chicago Consulate and is considered one of the Mexican Consulates in the U.S. that generates the most funds for the Mexican government, since it opened its office at 204 S. Ashland Ave. The Mexican community is also requesting for the Mexican government to audit the accounts at the Chicago Consulate, since Consul Arriaga's appointment to the post.
The Chicago Mexican Consulate provides services to Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois. 
El Grito is done after September 15 at midnight on September 16. On September 16, 1810 is the day of the "Grito de Dolores" or Miguel Hidalgo's call to take up arms against the Spanish colonial government. The start of the Mexican Revolution is celebrated on November 20, 1910 when Francisco "Pancho" Villa and Pascual Orozco led the first insurrectionist attack.

Related article of protests in front of the Mexican Consulate by members of the Mexican community.

Breaking News: Second Protest At Mexican Consul In Chicago Over Bicentennial "El Grito" Ouster Of Mexican Civic Society http://bit.ly/9ESaRF

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UIC Students Kick-off Campaign For Gutiérrez For Chicago Mayor

U.S. Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez circulating petition for signatures to get name on the ballot for Mayor of Chicago

By H. Nelson Goodson
September 21, 2010

Chicago - On Monday, Xavier Luis Burgos and Carlos Daniel Rosa, both students at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) announced through a press release the kick-off of the Students for Luis Gutiérrez for Mayor of Chicago campaign. Students for Luis Gutiérrez is an independent, student-led initiative to support Congressman Gutiérrez's candidacy for Mayor of Chicago. The purpose of this massive mobilization will be two-fold. The first component is a rally composed of the major student leaders and their bases from various universities and colleges including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois at Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University, DePaul University, City Colleges of Chicago, Columbia College, Northwestern University as well as individual supporters from Loyola University, in order to draw attention to this historic moment.
The second component is a call for action on behalf of the students to collect half of the 12,500 necessary signatures to place Congressman Gutiérrez's name on the ballot for the February mayoral elections.
On September 12, Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez (IL-Dem.) began to circulated petitions during the Mexican Independence festivities to nominate his name for the February mayoral election. Gutiérrez recruited at least 150 volunteers who began to collect the 12,500 signatures needed to get his name on the ballot.
The dateline to submit the signatures is November 22, for the February 22 election, and a run-off on April 5.
Gutiérrez hasn't officially announced his candidacy, but by circulating petitions and getting his name on the ballot makes it official.
Gutiérrez represents the 4th Congressional District in Illinois, which includes Chicago. He was elected in 1992 and has served nine terms. Gutiérrez has been an advocate for Immigration Reform and the DREAM Act. His bio at http://bit.ly/dBSvJA.
On September 8, Mayor Richard M. Daley, in office for 21 years confirmed, he won't seek re-election or a 7th term for Mayor. Daley leaves behind a $655 million deficit in the $3.39 billion budget for the City of Chicago in 2011.

For more information: http://www.studentsforgutierrez.org/

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Students Hit The Streets Of America In Protest Of The Defeat Of The DREAM Act

Photos by HNG

Students of all ages protested the defeat of the DREAM Act by comming out and marching in S. Cesar E. Chavez Drive in Milwaukee

By H. Nelson Goodson
September 21, 2010

Milwaukee - On Tuesday, numerous students of all ages hit the streets of America in protest of the defeat of the DREAM Act in the Defense Authorization Bill. In Milwaukee's South side, shortly after the DREAM Act was defeated, students rushed to the streets with signs and banners in protest and calling for passage of the DREAM Act.
They marched up and down the Cesar E. Chavez Drive Business District, despite a rain storm. The community, business owners and residents support a long awaited DREAM Act.
The DREAM Act, if it had passed would have added millions of highly educated and bilingual students deemed undocumented immigrants to the military. Today, the U.S. military is having extreme difficulty in recruiting personnel in the armed forces and has ordered the current personnel to continue and serve numerous tours. Soldiers have exhausted their leaves and must return to active duty. Without a current draft, military personnel will continue to serve multiple tours where needed, especially in the Afghan war.
On Tuesday, the U. S. Senate failed to pass the anticipated DREAM Act bill that was included in the Defense Authorization Bill. The Democrats and supporters fell short by four votes of 60 to pass the defense bill.
Democrats failed to get a single Republican vote and couldn't get the 60 votes needed to move forward in order to attach the DREAM Act as an amendment. The vote was 56-43.
Three Democrats voted with Republicans. Democratic U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor from Arkansas voted with Republicans. Majority Leader Harry Reid (Dem.) also voted with Republicans to block the bill in a procedural move that allows the Defense Authorization Act - S. 3454 to be revived later.
The DREAM Act would have allowed for millions of undocumented immigrant students a path to U.S. Citizenship by serving in the military or attending a credited college and university. The DREAM Act allows undocumented students a path to become legal U.S. residents after spending two years in college or the military. It would only apply for teenagers who were under 16 when they arrived in the U.S., have been in the country at least five years and have a diploma from a U.S. high school or the equivalent.
Latinos and supporters say, they will continue the push to pass the DREAM Act.

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DREAM Act Defeated In U.S. Senate, Fell Four Votes Short To Pass

Photo by HNG

Latinos nationwide to continue push for passage of the DREAM Act, despite another defeat to pass it in a Democrat majority in both houses.

By H. Nelson Goodson
September 21, 2010

Washington, D.C. - The U. S. Senate failed to pass the anticipated DREAM Act bill that was included in the Defense Authorization Bill. The Democrats and supporters fell short by four votes of 60 to pass the defense bill. Democrats failed to get a single Republican vote and couldn't get the 60 votes needed to move forward in order to attach the DREAM Act as an amendment. The vote was 56-43.
Three Democrats voted with Republicans. U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor from Arkansas voted with Republicans. Majority Leader Harry Reid (Dem.) also voted with Republicans to block the bill in a procedural move that allows the Defense Authorization Act - S. 3454 to be revived later.
The DREAM Act would have allowed for millions of undocumented immigrant students a path to U.S. Citizenship by serving in the military or attending a credited college and university. The DREAM Act allows undocumented students a path to become legal U.S. residents after spending two years in college or the military. It would only apply for teenagers who were under 16 when they arrived in the U.S., have been in the country at least five years and have a diploma from a U.S. high school or the equivalent.
Hundreds of thousands of calls to U.S. Senators calling for passage and against passage of the DREAM Act were registered. Latinos will continue to push for a DREAM Act to pass, despite today's set back.
Minutes after the defeat of the DREAM Act in the Senate floor, Americans for Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC) send out a press release taking part of the credit for defeating the DREAM Act in the defense spending bill. ALIPAC says, this is the third time that the organization has helped to defeat the measure.
"Today's victory was a victory for Americans, grass roots conservatives, and the conservatives, and the new media," said William Gheen, President of ALIPAC. "We have proven we can defeat Amnesty legislation with little or no TV or newspaper coverage. Now we are going to prove we have the power to throw some of the most powerful people in America out of office, if we all pull together to secure a peaceful, political, velvet revolution in America. Revolution now! Revolution now America!"

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Mexican Independence Bicentennial Parade 2010 In Milwaukee

Dante Navarro, Honorary Parade Marshall

Photos by HNG

An estimated, 60,000 people lined up along the parade route and at least 10,000, people attended the bicentennial festival after the parade.

By H. Nelson Goodson
September 19, 2010
Updated:

Milwaukee - On Sunday, the Mexican Independence Bicentennial parade committee featured Dante Navarro as the Honorary Parade Marshall for this year. Navarro is well known for his community education activism in the 1970's. He was an instrumental leader in the 1970 peaceful protests and sit-ins at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) Chancellor's Office. 
Navarro along with four other people were arrested on August 27, 1970, while engaged in a peaceful sit-in, protest and persistence to change UWM policy to allow Latinos to enroll. The four people arrested with Navarro were Jesus Salas, Marla O. Anderson, Gregorio "Goyo" Rivera and Jose Luis Huerta-Sanchez.
Navarro was the first Hispanic candidate to run for public office in Milwaukee's South side.
Last night at the UWM banquet sponsored by the 40th ACT Anniversary Committee and the Roberto Hernandez Center, Navarro was recognized along with other leaders and protesters for their success in making higher education accessible to generations of Latinos in Wisconsin.
For years, Navarro was the first Hispanic radio announcer in a Spanish Radio program geared to the Latino community and has worked for UMOS concerning migrant issues.
The parade sponsored by United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS) celebrated the 39th Mexican parade in Milwaukee's South side.
This year's three mile long parade route skipped the newly opened $1.6 million Streepscape renovation project on S. Cesar E. Chavez Drive. The Chavez Drive opened for traffic flow in early September.
The one day festival on Sunday opened to the public at the UMOS Corporate Office parking lot, from noon until 9:00 p.m.
An estimated, 60,000 people line up through the parade route and at least 10,000, people attended the bicentennial festival after the parade.
Mexico is celebrating its 200 years of Independence and 100 years of their revolution.

Added article recognizing Dante Navarro for his instrumental role in the UWM peaceful protests and sit-ins in 1970.

Milwaukee Latino Community To Celebrate 40th Anniversary, Making Higher Education Accessible http://bit.ly/bafD6L

In photo (L-R) Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Arnoldo Sevilla gave El Grito at the Mexican Independence Bicentennial parade and UMOS festival; Marla Possell, Emcee-volunteer; Alberto Fonscerado, representative from the Mexican Consulate in Chicago; and Rita Renteria, who recently retired from UMOS.
The Mexican Independence Bicentennial Grito was celebrated in unity throughout Mexico, around the the world where large populations of Mexican Citizens reside and in the U.S., except in Chicago.
The Mexican Consulate in Chicago experienced protests on a weekly basis in August and September by Mexican members of the Chicago community for excluding the Mexican Civic Society of Illinois from officially participating in the Bicentennial Grito.
Mexican Consul Manuel Rodriguez Arriaga decided to exclude the Mexican Civic Society of Illinois and had never released any comment for the decision. Members of the Hispanic community are calling for Rodriguez Arriaga's removal. They raised allegations that Rodriguez Arriaga in Chicago hasn't legally represented or condemn the removal of thousands of undocumented immigrants from Mexico that have been deported by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Illinois.

Related article to El Grito protests in Chicago, Illinois at the Mexican Consulate.

Breaking News: Second Protest At Mexican Consul In Chicago Over Bicentennial "El Grito" Ouster Of Mexican Civic Society http://bit.ly/9ESaRF

More Milwaukee, Wisconsin Mexican Independence Bicentennial Parade Pictures by HNG included below.

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