As a Latina, I don't believe that democracy has served me in my immigrant community of taxpayers, hard workers, and families. They are not heard, not because of language barriers but due to ignorance and hate."

How ICE has fueled fear, voter suppression, and abuses of power—and what it means for the future of U.S. democracy.

"We bring Latinos and Native Americans. We bring them to the capital. We want people to start seeing us..."

“We have people … who have been here for over 15, 20 years, who have made a life in the U.S., who have families in the U.S. – children, homes, cars, businesses that are at risk”

From New Jersey and Kansas zoning laws to Florida environmental concerns, states, cities, and advocates are battling the expansion of immigration detention in court.

The sudden shifts between protected and unprotected status has sparked controversy over immigration enforcement in courthouses.

HARTFORD—The Paso a Paso and new Caribbean Connection programs at Hartford Public Schools have brought in and retained a total of 25 bilingual teachers for the 2023-2024 school year, amid state-wide teacher shortages. About nine teachers have been recruited through the brand-new Caribbean Connection initiative—four from the pilot program last winter and an additional five beginning this fall—according to the Hartford Public Schools Superintendent Office. While about 500 people had attended virtual information sessions on both programs and the Superintendent’s Office had received more than 330 applications in January, limited funding and the complex process of obtaining J1 Visas for hires from Caribbean nations meant that the district could only recruit a certain number of teachers.   “I think in terms of the recruitment and also the retention…that speaks to the support systems that the teams internally here have developed and also that the cohort has developed amongst themselves... So [...]

How Bilingual Seniors and Children Are Supporting Each Other in Hartford.

HARTFORD—Over the next two years, the Connecticut State Library (CSL) will design and apply a replicable system that shares digital navigation services to underserved communities across the state. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has awarded the CSL’s Division of Library Development a National Leadership Grant of almost $250,000 to run this initiative that will be largely executed in the next year. Eight public libraries will be collaborating in this effort—including the Bridgeport Public Library, Derby Public Library, Hamden Public Library, Howard Whittemore Memorial Library, Naugatuck, New Haven Free Public Library, Wallingford Public Library, West Haven Public Library, and Woodbridge Town Library. The National Leadership Grant for Libraries Program looks to support a variety of projects, including those that strengthen library services to address the critical needs of its surrounding communities, according to the IMLS website.  The State Library of Connecticut’s Regional Navigator Sharing Plan includes distributing [...]

MERIDEN — Inside classroom 28 at Hanover Elementary School, Bilingual Educator Alicia Lorenzo has formed a family with her group of 26 fifth-graders. Together, they navigate the current curriculum in their native Spanish.  Lorenzo has been part of the Meriden Public Schools for 18 years, since 2005, and is passionate about her role in the lives of her students.  As a result of her passion, Lorenzo is being recognized by the Connecticut Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents at their 6th annual gala Saturday, May 6. She is among the six honorees and is receiving the exceptional teacher award.  “She has a great rapport with the students, parents, and families,” said Evelyn Robles-Rivas, supervisor of language and community partnerships at Meriden Public Schools and former president of CALAS. Read the full story by the Record-Journal’s Latino Communities Lab at: www.myrecordjournal.com/latino-news Publisher’s Note: CTLatinoNews partners with the Latino Communities Reporting Lab in best serving the Hispanic-Latino [...]

The Latino News Network (LNN) is accepting applications for the Hortencia Zavala Foundation Summer Internship Program. The eight week paid opportunity will be considered in all LNN newsrooms in the Northeast and Midwest. Illinois Latino News (ILLN) is looking for students in all fields of Communications with a demonstrated interest in journalism. Successful applicants will be assigned meaningful work in the production of local news, including, but not limited to graphics, content development (photo/video/audio), social media, writing and copy editing suitable for their background. The program advisors and mentors will meet with students regularly to identify and develop their summer goals. We will be accepting all applications until May 12th, 2023. The internship is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Applications should include at least three examples of the student’s work. Please send inquiries, resumes and cover letters to hortenciazavalafoundation@gmail.com. The internship runs from June 5 to July 28. As part of [...]

The Latino News Network (LNN) is accepting applications for the Hortencia Zavala Foundation Summer Internship Program. The eight week paid opportunity will be considered in all LNN newsrooms in the Northeast and Midwest. We are looking for students in all fields of Communications with a demonstrated interest in journalism. Successful applicants will be assigned meaningful work in the production of local news, including, but not limited to graphics, content development (photo/video/audio), social media, writing and copy editing suitable for their background. The program advisors and mentors will meet with students regularly to identify and develop their summer goals. We will be accepting all applications until May 12th, 2023. The internship is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Applications should include at least three examples of the student’s work. Please send inquiries, resumes and cover letters to hortenciazavalafoundation@gmail.com. The internship runs from June 5 to July 28. As part of their internship, students [...]