Noticiero Latino Highlights for May 2003

Thursday, May 1st, 2003

- President Bush will address nation to announce the end of major combat in Iraq, as well as continued reconstruction efforts and search for weapons of mass destruction.

- U.S. Navy officially end military operations in Puerto Rico’s Vieques Island, after more than 60 years of using it for practices with live bombs.

- As part of its May 1st celebrations, members of a New York coalition travels to Washington, DC to lobby for increased justice towards immigrant workers.

- Homeland Security Department officials arrest 12 South American immigrants in Florida during “Operation Close Watch;” detainees face criminal charges and deportations.

- Former U.S. President, Bill Clinton, visits Mexico and says that country will not suffer economic repercussions for not backing a U.S. military attack against Iraq.

Friday, May 2nd, 2003

- While visiting California, President Bush says that wars against Afghanistan and Iraq are only the beginning of the war against countries that harbor and assist terrorist groups.

- Mexican President Vicente Fox announces programs to stimulate country’s economy by increasing employment and salaries.

Monday, May 5th, 2003

- U.S. Senate approves measure to increase funding by $250 million to colleges and universities with high number of minority enrollments.

- California Governor, Gray Davis, commemorates 5 de mayo at Los Angeles’ Placita Olvera.

- California’s Finance Department finds that state’s population exceeds 35.5 million; 600,000 new residents arrived to southern California counties in 2002.

Tuesday, May 6th, 2003

- Republican Senators fail once again to force vote on nomination of Miguel Estrada to Washington, DC’s Court of Appeals.

- New study by environmental groups finds that pesticide levels in California cities and rural areas continue to be high.

- Federal Judge, Irma Gonzalez from Tijuana, Mexico determines that U.S. government illegally allowed construction of two energy plants on Mexican border; Gonzalez demands revision of environmental impact to area.

Wednesday, May 7th, 2003

- Public Policy Institute of California finds that salaries of Latinos and African Americans remain below Anglos; report recommends increased funding for minority education.

- Texas Senate approves measure that allows counties and local governments to provide non-emergency medical services to undocumented immigrants.

- Mexican teachers interrupt and take possession of federal electoral offices for 5 hours to demand a 100 percent salary increase.

Thursday, May 8th, 2003

- Vice President Dick Cheney announces that he is willing to run once again as President Bush’s vice presidential candidate.

Friday, May 9th, 2003

- U.S. House of Representatives begins debate on plan offering $550 billion in tax cuts.

- Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (D-NY) introduces measure to grant driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.

- Texas Republicans present new map to redraw electoral district boundaries.

- California’s legislature approves measure allowing of consular ID cards as valid state ID.

Monday, May 12th, 2003

- U.S. Senate begins debate on economic plan to cut $350 billion in taxes.

- U.S. House committee approves resolution proposing immigration agreement with Mexico in exchange for U.S. investments in Mexico’s federally owned oil company.

- African American leaders in Miami threaten boycott if Governor Jeb Bush forces third graders to repeat school year when they fail state reading levels.

- Mexican presidency announces that it will not allow the privatization or sale of country’s oil company, PEMEX, in exchange for immigration agreement with U.S.

Tuesday, May 13th, 2003

- President Bush begins U.S. tour to promote tax-cut plan.

- 52 Democratic Representatives in Texas skip legislative session protesting gerrymandering by Republicans.

- Azteca Foods workers in Chicago, return to work after reaching agreements on improved labor practices.

- San Diego’s Superior Court beings trial against 3 Anglo youths charged of brutally beating a Mexican day laborer.

Wednesday, May 14th, 2003

- President Bush condemns suicide bombings in Saudi Arabia and vows to capture those responsible for 34 deaths.

- U.S. government orders expulsion of 14 Cuban diplomats charged with espionage.

- Bodies of 18 people that died from suffocation in a parked truck found in Victoria, Texas.

- About 50 Democrats remain at Oklahoma hotel to prevent redistricting vote in Texan House of Representatives.

- Oceanside, California Court finds gang leader guilty of assaulting Mexican workers; he is sentenced to 9 years in prison.

- Former President George Bush meets with Mexico’s President Vicente Fox and business leaders while announcing that ties between U.S. and Mexico remain very tight.

Thursday, May 15th, 2003

- U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement presents list of 10 most wanted immigrants facing deportation orders; seven Latin Americans appear on the list.

- President Bush commends efforts of Latinos in U.S. armed forces; 9 percent of U.S. soldiers are of Latino origin.

- Truck driver faces federal charges after 18 people died suffocated in Victoria, Texas.

- Illinois legislature approves measure that will require state to publicize license procedures for nurse recruitments in English and Spanish.

- Mexican President Vicente Fox expresses condolences to families of 18 dead immigrants in Victoria, Texas; most of the victims were from Mexico.

Friday, May 16th, 2003

- University of California Regents reject measure that prohibits data collection related to race; Regents claim that plan will endanger UC’s academic mission.

- Coalition of African, Asian, European and Latino immigrants inaugurate center for newly naturalized citizens in Chicago.

- United Farm Workers begin campaign to legalize immigrants by inviting public to access its website and send e-mails and letters asking Congressional leaders to support an amnesty.

Monday, May 19th, 2003

- Latino family in California will receive more than $2 million in compensation after fatal shooting of son, Antonio Saldivar, by Huntington Beach police officer.

- Californians for Justice find that lack of funding for state’s poor areas is affecting Latino students’ academic development.

- Coalition of national Latino organizations plan trip to Arizona/Mexico border to establish dialogues with “vigilante” groups and legislators.

Tuesday, May 20th, 2003

- Authorities in Victoria, Texas arrest another three individuals suspected of participating in immigrant smuggling ring responsible for death of 19 people in a parked truck.

- Guatemalan government announces opening of new consulate offices in Tijuana, Mexico; Consulate will serve approximately 2000 Guatemalans in Baja California and will also serve nationals in California.

- Several peace organizations hold demonstration at Los Angeles’ federal building protesting expulsion of 14 Cuban diplomats by U.S. authorities.

- Los Angeles County Health Department announces that it spends close to $340 million in emergency services for undocumented immigrants.

Wednesday, May 21st, 2003

- U.S. House of Representatives and Senate reach an initial agreement on a $383 billion tax cut and spending package.

- Los Angeles’ Unified School District finds that school drop out rates have declined to 5.7 percent compared to 6.2 percent last year.

- Immigrant woman dies and three others suffer injuries in San Diego after a high-speed chase by Border Patrol Agents.

Back to Previous Programs
Noticiero Today