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A race against the clock: Immigrant youths risk losing Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
This article is part of the project Lives in the Balance, which brought together nearly 100 journalists from six universities to document the reach of that system from inside the nation’s immigration courts. The Midwest Newsroom provided editorial support to the team from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Immigration Judge Matthew Morrissey moves quickly through his docket. He…
Events
Cinco de Mayo event recognizes local immigrant advocates, features ‘Homies empowerment’ founder
Two local Latinas who help lead immigrant advocacy efforts for Nebraska nonprofits were honored at a Cinco de Mayo celebration Tuesday. Recognized with community impact awards at Metropolitan Community College’s 26th annual Cinco de Mayo luncheon were: Perla Ochoa, a South Omaha community organizer at the Heartland Workers Center, and Roxana Cortes-Mills, legal director of…
Latin music festival coming to Heartland of America Park
A new live music event will take place in Omaha this Spring. The Ritmo Music Festival will be held May 9 at Heartland of America Park. The Latin music event will also feature food, spirits, art, photo opportunities, dancers, a VIP experience and be interactive, according to organizer Marcos Mora. Mora is the leader of…
Benson’s New Americans Arts Festival highlights theme of unity amid heightened immigration tensions
The 12th New Americans Arts Festival starts Friday in Benson. But this year’s event has a new theme amid heightened national tensions for immigrants: Unity. Organizers of the festival, which honors the artistic contributions of immigrants, migrants and refugees, hope it will bring some joy during a time of increased fear and uncertainty for these…
Culture
Amid high immigration tensions, the Consulate of Mexico in Omaha works to protect human rights of nationals
The Consulado de México en Omaha, which covers Nebraska and Iowa, is working with elected officials and residents to ensure the state knows the priorities of…
Life in AMerica
‘People are scared’: ICE agents raid facilities in Omaha
Immigration and Customs Enforcement raided an Omaha meatpacking plant on Tuesday morning, sowing fear into the community as advocates and family members attempt to figure out how many…
Children’s mental health organization offers bilingual training
A children’s mental health service organization is presenting a training for Spanish-speaking families with young children. The training, put on by Ad Astra Behavioral Analytic Services, is for…
Talk of deportations stirs worry, uncertainty in Nebraska
President-elect Donald Trump’s promise of mass deportations is provoking worry in Nebraska’s Latino community and uncertainty in law enforcement. It was a familiar refrain from Donald Trump on…
National Latino advocacy organization visits Omaha, announces endorsements
The president and two former presidents of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) visited Omaha to encourage Latino voters to head to their polling places. LULAC,…
Brown Park Opens After Years of South Omaha Neighbors Organizing
Vanessa Macias remembers the first time she visited South Omaha’s Brown Park in the summer of 2015. “Man, this park better be worth it,” the Gomez Heritage Elementary…
