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Hispanic American Village News

By The Associated Press

Grand jury indicts 7 in NY immigrant killing

By FRANK ELTMAN

Associated Press Writer

Nov 14 19:49

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (AP) - Seven teenagers learned Friday that they had been indicted in the fatal stabbing of an Ecuadorean immigrant who police say was targeted because he was Hispanic, but they must wait to hear the specific charges.

The seven have been in custody since shortly after Marcelo Lucero, 37, was stabbed during a confrontation with what a prosecutor called a ``lynch mob'' near the Patchogue train station shortly before midnight Nov. 8.

The charges are sealed until the seven are arraigned on the indictment in state Supreme Court in Riverhead; no date has been set.

Before the grand jury handed up its indictment, the teens pleaded not guilty to a preliminary charge of gang assault in local district court. Jeffrey Conroy, the 17-year-old high school senior suspected of inflicting the fatal blow, has also been charged with manslaughter as a hate crime. A spokesman for Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, who called the attackers ``white supremacists,'' said Conroy has a swastika tattoo on his leg.

Lucero's killing has sent shockwaves far beyond Suffolk County, where animosity over the influx of thousands of immigrants from Central and South America has been simmering for nearly a decade.

Groups including the National Council of La Raza, Hispanics Across America, Latino Justice and the American Jewish Committee's Long Island Chapter have each issued statements expressing disgust about the killing.

Ecuador's ambassador to the United States on Friday issued a statement lamenting the killing just days after the election of Barack Obama as the country's first black president.

``It is tragic that a crime of this nature, a xenophobic lynching, happened just as the United States celebrates a historic step forward in which racial barriers have been overcome,'' said Ambassador Luis Gallegos.

Jorge Lopez, Ecuador's consul general in New York, met privately on Thursday with Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota. Although both agreed not to comment on the specifics of the conversation, Lopez had earlier expressed hope that murder charges would be filed.

A spokesman for federal prosecutors said they were monitoring the case for possible civil rights violations, and Gov. David Paterson directed state officials to lend any support possible to help the investigation.

Levy, who as county executive has overseen tough enforcement of immigration laws, apologized for comments earlier this week suggesting the local media had blown Lucero's death out of proportion because of Levy's outspoken views on illegal immigration.

After saying it would be ``a one-day story'' if it had occurred elsewhere, Levy apologized in a letter published Friday in Newsday.

``It was absolutely the wrong time for me to suggest that coverage of events in Suffolk is treated differently by the media,'' Levy wrote. ``The horrible incident is indeed more than a one-day story. It was a reminder of how far we as a society still have to go.''

A wildly popular Democrat who was re-elected last year with 96 percent of the vote, Levy signed a law requiring county contractors to certify that their employees are in the country legally. He also has supported crackdowns on overcrowded housing.

A co-founder of a national group called Mayors and Executives for Immigration Reform, he has appeared with CNN talk-show host Lou Dobbs, another fierce opponent of illegal immigration.

The Rev. Alan Ramirez, who earlier in the week suggested Levy had ``blood on his hands'' because of past comments and policies, said the apology was ``a good first step'' toward reconciliation.

A candlelight vigil was held Friday evening near the spot where Lucero was killed.

A funeral service was scheduled for Saturday at the Congregational Church of Patchogue. Lucero's body was to be flown to Ecuador for burial.

A friend of the teens, who all attend Patchogue-Medford High School, arrived at the courthouse early Friday to offer a different perspective.

``They are the sweetest kids you will ever meet -- they really are,'' said Brittany Callica. ``This is so unfair for them. It's not a hate crime. They're not racist. They hang out with Spanish people, they hang out with black people. They're such good kids, they had such a good future and now look.''

Juanes sweeps Latin Grammys with 5 wins

By MONICA RHOR

Associated Press Writer

Nov 13 23:16

HOUSTON (AP) - Colombian rocker Juanes ruled the Latin Grammys on Thursday, sweeping awards in five categories -- including record of the year and album of the year -- and setting a new record for total wins.

Juanes' joy-filled love song, ``Me Enamora,'' won record of the year, song of the year and best short form music video. He also took trophies for the year's best album, and best male pop vocal album for ``La Vida ... Es Un Ratico.''

After taking the night's top honor and final trophy, Juanes spoke to the country's Latinos: ``You have chosen the right president. Congratulations. It is time to change'' -- the last line being the title of his latest song.

The awards bring his total Latin Grammy wins to 17, breaking Alejandro Sanz's mark of 14.

``This is incredible. A million thanks, truly,'' Juanes said, after the song of the year win. ``I have to thank my father, who is in heaven, God, my children. Since I was very young, my family taught me to listen to Latin-American music ... They have all been an influence.''

The Medellin-born musician, who has become a voice for social causes, also opened the show's live broadcast with an emotional duet with soul singer John Legend. Backed by a chorus, Juanes and Legend performed ``If You Are Out There,'' a new collaboration that's scheduled to be released next week.

Puerto Rican singer Kany Garcia, a nominee in three categories, walked away with two Latin Grammys, winning best new artist honors and best female pop vocal album for ``Cualquier Dia.''

Mexican alternative rock group Cafe Tacuba, which led all nominees with six, picked up awards for rock song of the year for ``Esta Vez'' and alternative song of the year for ``Volver a Comenzar.''

Latin pop diva Gloria Estefan, who was honored with the 2008 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year award Wednesday night, also scooped up awards for best traditional tropical album for ``90 millas'' and best tropical song.

``The only thing left for me to do is to sing in a free Cuba,'' said Estefan, who is the first woman to receive the person of the year honors.

In pre-show awards, Mexican singer-songwriter Julieta Venegas picked up two Latin Grammys for best long form video and best alternative music album.

This year marked the Houston debut of the awards show, now in its ninth year. The Latin Grammys gives out awards in 49 categories from ranchera to rock en espanol.

The show's lineup of performers reflected the theme of musical diversity and fusion, starting with the opening duet and bursting to life in a rousing accordion jam featuring performers from Colombian vallenato, Argentine tango, Mexican norteno and Tejano genres, and showcasing Julieta Venegas' pop hit ``El Presente.''

Another of the night's highlights was a vibrant rendition of Gloria Estefan's hits, ``Mi Tierra'' and ``Oye Mi Canto,'' which featured musical legends Jose Feliciano and Carlos Santana. Feliciano also garnered a Latin Grammy -- his first -- for best contemporary tropical album

``Winning this award is a source of pride for me, and also for Puerto Rico,'' said Feliciano, who noted that his birthplace had helped form his musical style.

During the show, a video package highlighted the iconic images and multicultural mix of Houston, the country's fourth largest city. Oil rigs, glass-walled skyscrapers and Tex-Mex food painted a quick portrait of the sprawling metropolis.

On the Net:

http://www.grammy.com

Hispanic students juggle lives with school

By THERESA VARGAS

The Washington Post

Nov 12 11:03

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) - An hour and a half after his night shift ended at the grocery store, Jefferson Lara is sitting in art class, sketching warriors -- strong and armored.

Lara's education has never been neatly laid out in class schedules that flow into extracurricular activities. A former gang member, he was expelled from ninth grade, spent time in Peru with his father and entered Arlington Mill High School Continuation program his junior year. He took the night job so his mother could quit one of hers.

It mattered little to him that he wouldn't graduate with his peers in June -- he still would get his diploma. ``I was raised to put family first,'' the fifth-year senior says. ``Not a lot of people know what I have to go through every day. They think I'm just a regular kid.''

As the nation moves toward adopting a common graduation rate formula based on the number of students who obtain a diploma in four years, there are students such as Lara who will appear to have been failed by their school systems. They will not be counted as graduating on time. But what should be taken into account, educators say, is that many are succeeding -- just not on the traditional timeline.

Like Lara, many young Latino immigrants must juggle adult responsibilities with school, and they are creating alternative, stop-and-start paths toward a diploma.

``There are some where we probably failed them and they dropped out'' and never finished school, Arlington County Superintendent Robert G. Smith said. But then there are those who come back at 20 or 21, he said. ``They would be counted among our dropouts, but sometimes they are our greatest success stories.''

As educators strive to close racial and ethnic achievement gaps, school systems are examining the educational experience of Latino students. Without knowing how many are succeeding under the radar, they can't know how many are lost altogether.

Sarita Brown of Excelencia in Education, a Washington-based nonprofit organization, said the number of Latino students who don't fit the four-year model is growing fast.

``Ten years ago, for sure, these students would have been labeled as outliers, and collectively we would have all probably said they are doing it wrong,'' Brown said. But, she said, that is changing.

Diana S. Natalicio, president of the University of Texas at El Paso, describes it as more Latino students taking the commuter train instead of the express.

``Life's demands are so great that they do a lot of getting on and getting off the train,'' Natalicio said.

Federal rules issued in recent weeks call for schools nationwide to measure how many ninth-graders receive a diploma within four years so that rates are comparable across states by 2011. Virginia is one of 21 states that have moved in that direction, releasing its data last month. The graduation rates will be included in state report cards on schools and school systems.

Virginia's numbers showed that Latino students in the Class of 2008 were less likely than others to graduate on time. Their rate of 70 percent was lower than the rate for all other racial and ethnic groups and 23 percentage points behind the top-performing group, students of Asian descent. The discrepancy is wider at some northern Virginia high schools, including Arlington's Wakefield High. The graduation rate there was 47 percent for Hispanic students, 69 percent for blacks, 77 percent for Asians and 86 percent for whites.

Arlington administrators say Wakefield's numbers reflect the many students from that school's zone who move to Arlington Mill. At the alternative school, where about 85 percent of students are Hispanic, it is easy to find students who have dropped out several times before coming back. Others, mostly recent immigrants, didn't enroll until adulthood, working for several years before deciding to get a diploma. In Lara's art class, he is one of at least four Latino students who were part of the freshman class of 2004 and who, as seniors, fell short by a few credits.

``It may take a little longer, but they get there,'' Arlington Mill Principal Barbara Thompson said. ``The final outcome is much more important than the snapshot in time the data provides.''

Maryland will not release the newly formulated rates until 2011, but schools are seeing many students who will graduate -- just not in four years.

Diana Anaya, who is on the honor roll at Wheaton High School in Montgomery County, was supposed to have graduated last year. But, she said, she and her younger sister live alone and must work to pay rent, buy food and, when they can, send money to their family in El Salvador. On a typical day, Anaya works cleaning a library until midnight and then is at school before 7:30 a.m.

``My goal was to study here and get a degree from here, so I am working hard,'' the 19-year-old said. Still, it is difficult sometimes when she notices how different her life is from those of other students. ``Sometimes, I wish to be in their place, to not have so much responsibility and to get more time to be successful in school.''

At her school, where more than half of the students are Latino, she is far from alone. Principal Kevin Lowndes said he has seen an increase in requests for half-day schedules from students who have to work.

Remy Lopez, 20, is another fifth-year senior at the school who is supporting himself. Most days, he said, he barely has time to change for work after school, let alone study. Still, he added, he knows he has to graduate. He has a 13-year-old sister in Guatemala who is counting on it.

``Right now, I'm her superhero,'' Lopez said.

Emma Violand-Sanchez, who this month became the first Latina elected to the Arlington School Board, said she knows such stories well. She recently met a 17-year-old who had been living and working in the county since he was 13 but hadn't gone to school. She helped him enroll, she said, only to see him withdraw at 18, then return to take evening classes. ``Not only did he have to support himself, he had to support family in Guatemala,'' Violand-Sanchez said. ``But I don't think that's the only reason students aren't graduating.''

Instead, she said, the on-time graduation rates highlight a crisis educators must address.

``We need to have a plan,'' Violand-Sanchez said. ``We need to get involved in this.''

At T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, the on-time graduation rate for Hispanic students was 57 percent, compared with 76 percent for blacks, 87 percent for whites and 91 percent for Asians.

Ingris Moran, 17, a senior at T.C. Williams, is on track to graduate, but she said she knows many Latino students who struggle. Her older sister, she said, dropped out as a junior.

``They feel they are not getting encouraged enough. They feel like nobody has high expectations of them,'' she said. ``Teachers worry if you pass their tests or their final exams, but they don't have conversations with you personally about what you want to do in life.''

She and other students have been working with Tenants and Workers United, a grass-roots organization in Alexandria, to create a plan for the school system to increase student success. It calls for academic advisers to work with students and their parents to create individualized courses of study.

Alexandria Superintendent Morton Sherman said he and the School Board already had been moving in that direction.

``These are real kids with distinct needs, so let's create distinct programs,'' he said.

Next year, Virginia and other states will release a five-year graduation rate, which still will not capture the complete picture but will include students such as Lara. When he did not graduate on time, the 18-year-old enrolled in a dual program at the school that lets him receive credits from Northern Virginia Community College.

``I know I'm doing good,'' Lara said. ``Out of all my friends, I'm the first one to go to college. ... Some got their GEDs. Some just didn't even bother. There are some that are still in school but they are two or three years behind.''

Still, the strain of his carefully balanced days can be seen in a tattooed rosary that wraps around his right wrist.

Asked about it, he looks down at the cross imprinted just above his thumb, and pauses. ``I will once in a while pray to God to make everything better,'' he said, ``to make my life a little easier.''

Spain turns to Latinos to fill military ranks

By JORGE SAINZ

Associated Press Writer

Nov 11 12:10

MADRID, Spain (AP) - They're soldiers like any others, enduring the grind of military life and sometimes risking their own as peacekeepers in hot spots like Afghanistan. But these troops defend a flag that is not their own.

Spain has struggled to recruit soldiers since it abolished the draft in 2000 and created an all-professional army. At one point it even lowered the IQ threshold for enlistees, although it later raised it again, and eventually opened up the military to immigrants. Today, such foreigners -- most of them young Latin Americans -- make up nearly 7 percent of the military's 80,000-member force.

For these soldiers from mostly poor countries like Ecuador and Bolivia, the advantages are clear: a steady monthly salary of $1,300, which is not that bad by Spanish standards and rises significantly with overseas assignments, and the possibility of obtaining Spanish citizenship.

``Who would have thought I would end up taking part in missions with the Spanish army? It is odd, different. But it has opened up a lot of doors for me,'' said Dalton Rafael Jimenez, a 22-year-old Ecuadorean who has been in the Spanish army for nearly three years.

But the risks are just as evident. Spain has peacekeeping missions deployed in dangerous places that include Afghanistan, Lebanon, Kosovo and Congo. And of the last 10 fatalities suffered in such missions, four were immigrants.

And the presence of immigrants in the military also raises the question of whether newly affluent Spain is turning to those less privileged to do its dirty work.

In 2007, three Colombians serving with the Spanish contingent died in a terror attack in southern Lebanon and an Ecuadorean died in a mine explosion in Afghanistan.

Jimenez was in Afghanistan when his countryman was killed.

``It was a strange situation. You cannot get used to experiencing things like this. It was like a movie,'' said Jimenez, who belongs to an elite, 2,000-member paratrooper brigade called BRIPAC, of which nearly 500 members are immigrants.

Elsewhere, the United States lets immigrants with legal residency serve in its armed forces, and Britain makes soldiers of people from Ireland and Commonwealth countries. But otherwise, a program like Spain's is quite rare in Europe. And it is a reflection of how a once demographically homogenous country is sporting a new multicultural look.

The military is not open to all immigrants, but rather just ones from countries with which Spain has historical, cultural and linguistic links. That means most of the countries of Latin America and Equatorial Guinea, a former Spanish colony in West Africa.

These foreigners serve in all three branches of the military -- army, navy and air force -- and by nationality Ecuadoreans are the largest group, followed by Colombians and Bolivians.

Maj. Pedro Machuca, a spokesman for the paratrooper brigade, said that as Spain's immigrant population has surged from an insignificant proportion to more than 10 percent in about a decade, it is only natural for such people to serve in the military of their adopted home.

``I have always said that the army is nothing more than a reflection of society,'' he said.

And of the risks, Machuca insisted they are the same for immigrants and Spaniards alike because enlistment is voluntary.

Immigrants who want to enlist need to have residency papers in order, pass a physical examination and commit themselves for three years, a promise which can be extended to nine, Machuca said during a tour of the brigade's barracks on the outskirts of Madrid.

Because of Spain's economic woes and soaring unemployment, requests to join the military are up as much as 70 percent in some recruitment centers, and 20 percent of the petitions are from immigrants, the Defense Ministry says.

But for immigrants an even bigger incentive is the idea of obtaining Spanish nationality.

They are eligible for it after serving a second three-year stint. Any immigrant with legal residency can opt for this too, but doing so after serving in the army is quicker because the military puts the paperwork on a fast track.

Diana Hernandez Tabares, a 24-year-old Colombian, has been in the army for four years and done two stints in Afghanistan. ``It is odd to serve under a flag that is not yours but you get used to it,'' she said.

``It is not easy, both being a woman and not being in your own country. But you win respect on your own and here we are all equals. Anyway, I have always liked this world and I would love to work as a police officer or something related to security,'' Tabares said.

Another Colombian, 26-year-old Christiam Herrera Gonzales, who was part of the unit that lost three soldiers in Lebanon last year, says he will stay in the military once he obtains Spanish citizenship.

``I don't regret anything at all, and I have had great experiences,'' he said. ``I am here because I want to be.''

Hispanic leaders endorse Richardson for cabinet

By The Associated Press

Nov 10 12:40

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda on Monday sent a letter to President-elect Barack Obama, recommending New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson as his secretary of state.

``No one is more qualified to serve as our country's chief diplomat than Governor Bill Richardson. ... He is not just a Democratic Party leader or an Hispanic community leader -- he is an American leader,'' said John Trasvina, head of the Washington, D.C.-based Hispanic group and general counsel for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Richardson, the nation's only Hispanic governor, was energy secreary and ambassador to the United Nations in the Clinton administration after serving as a congressman from New Mexico. He also has been a diplomatic troubleshooter, negotiating the release of Americans in North Korea, Iraq and Sudan.

He ran for the Democratic nomination for president, and endorsed Obama after abandoning his own bid in January. He campaigned for Obama in at least 19 states.

Last week, Richardson, who is halfway through his second term as governor, refused to discuss the subject, invoking a familiar mantra: ``I'm happy as governor of New Mexico, I'm planning my legislative agenda, and I don't want to comment any further.''

Janet Murguia, a member of the executive committee of the Hispanic leadership group and president of the National Council of La Raza, noted Richardson's ``unusually diverse'' career and said he'd be ready immediately to represent the nation abroad.

``His appointment would send a powerful message to Latinos throughout our country as well as to our neighbors in this hemisphere,'' she said.

Hispanics turned out in record numbers to vote for Obama.

``Now, Latinos have the talent and expertise to play a major role in governing at the cabinet level and throughout the federal agencies,'' Trasvina said.

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, created in 1991, is a nonpartisan association of 26 leading national and regional Hispanic civil rights and public policy organizations, elected officials, and Hispanic leaders from around the country. 

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