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Since the beginning of the Democratic primary, the policies proposed by each candidate have been subject to public scrutiny, especially when minorities are involved.

The first candidate to talk about comprehensive immigration reform was former housing secretary Julian Castro, who was building on his experience as a second-generation immigrant in a country that continues to take the Hispanic community for granted.

After retiring from the race, Castro gave his support to Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren in her campaign for "structural change" in the country.

Last Tuesday, Castro shared on social networks what he describes as "Elizabeth's vision for the future of our country," which combines key elements for our community: education, health, and immigration.

In an extensive and detailed document, the Warren campaign explains how the needs of Latinos, although exacerbated in the media struggle during the Trump Administration, are a much deeper issue.

FromTejano ranchers losing their land in the Southwesttostudents punished for speaking Spanish in schooltotoxic dumping in Puerto Rico, the United States has a long-history of government-sanctioned injustices against Latinos, the campaign says. Yet, at every turn in our nations history, Latinos, Latinas, and Latinx people have been at the forefront of the fight for social, racial and economic justice -- leading with bold,unwavering courage and unshakable hope.

Warren rescues iconic figures of the community such as Rafael Cordero, Sylvia Rivera, Sylvia Mendez, Dolores Huerta, and Alexandria Villaseor, and exposes them as symbols of the priorities of Hispanics in the country.

Based on this, the senator proposes:

Similarly, the Warren campaign explains how its overall projects will help close the wage and development gap experienced by Latinos and communities of color in general in the United States.

From affordable housing to bankruptcy; from childcare to disability rights, to election reform; from worker empowerment to entrepreneurship, to free education and an end to student debt, to LGBTQ+ rights Warren seems to show that, in fact, she has a plan for everything.

While candidates like South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Vice President Joe Biden have presented their promises to the Hispanic community which similarly include immigration reform, health care, housing, and education the Warren campaign seems to be taking it a step further, putting itself in the shoes of the millions of Latinos who still hope to see themselves not reflected as a demographic, but as part of the country's social fabric.

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Warren acknowledges the struggle of the Latino community and vows to "Restore the Promise of America - AL DIA News

November, 2015 and Congressman James Sensenbrenner is pictured meeting with then Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan during Flanagans visit to Washington. The two discussed Sensenbrenners E-3 bill during their meeting.

By Ray OHanlon

In the pantheon of congressional legislators that have given consideration to the concerns of Irish America, Representative James Sensenbrenner would not be considered front rank.

Some would not consider him in any rank, especially in the context of immigration reform and a more open American door for the Irish.

But Sensenbrenner, today the second most senior Republican in the House, does figure in this context by virtue of his leading role in the emergence of sought after E-3 renewable visas for Irish hopefuls.

But the clock is running down on his role. Sensenbrenner, 76, and a former chairman of the House Judiciary Committee (2001-07) is taking leave of the U.S. House of Representatives after this Novembers election.

Sensenbrenner was one of the House GOP managers of the Bill Clinton impeachment trial. Hes on the other side of the argument now.

Back in his lock em up and throw them out days, Sensenbrenner was lead sponsor of H.R. 4437, a bill passed by the House in 2005 that contained additional criminal penalties for aiding and abetting illegal immigration to the United States.

Sensenbrenners district, Wisconsins 5th, spreads across the Milwaukee suburbs. Likely as not he lives in close proximity to some undocumented immigrants. Some of them might even be Irish.

If there are Irish close by some of their famed luck rubbed off on the veteran congressman, a three-time lottery winner no less.

And if that was the case, perhaps he felt he owed the Irish a little something.

Regardless of his thoughts, Sensenbrenner would team up a couple of years ago with Congressman Richard Neal, chairman of the Friends of Ireland in Congress, to author an Irish E-3 bill for House consideration.

The E-3s had been lolling around atop the turbulent sea that is the immigration debate for several years.

Back in in November, 2015, H.R. 3730 proposed an allocation to Ireland of E-3 visas not taken up by Australians who enjoyed a dedicated annual allocation of 10,500.

The bill was placed before the House by Rep. Sensenbrenner and was taken up by the Judiciary Committee. No action was taken at the time.

But with the passing of time the E-3 proposal would come up again for a vote, in November, 2018. The House of Representatives approved the legislation but it still required Senate approval.

Still, the joining together of House Republicans and Democrats appeared to auger well for a matching measure in the Senate, though the hurdle in that chamber was larger than what it was in the House.

In the latter it was two thirds support, in the Senate it will have to be unanimous.

As it turned out the House had voted unanimously for H.R. 7164, crafted by Congressman Sensenbrenner and co-sponsored by Congressman Neal.

A release posted on Rep. Sensenbrenners website hailed the House approval of H.R. 7164.

Today, it stated, the House of Representatives unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to extend E-3 visa eligibility to Irish Nationals. The bill was sponsored by Congressmen Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI-05) and Richard Neal (D-MA-01).

The release carried Congressman Sensenbrenners delivered remarks on the House floor prior to the vote.

He stated: The United States was built on hard work and the determination of immigrants many of them who hail from Ireland. Through their perseverance, they have enabled this country to grow and prosper.

I believe in the value and opportunity that comes with legal immigration. I am pleased to have authored this legislation to make the process more efficient for one of our oldest allies, and add to the great legacy of cultural diversity celebrated our country.

This modest proposal would give Irish Nationals the opportunity to work in the U.S. under the non-immigrant visa category of the E-3 Visa, previously reserved only for Australian nationals.

Ireland in the meantime, has proposed a reciprocal work visa specific to U.S. nationals so that those wanting to live and work in Ireland can more easily do so.

The E-3 visa is one of the most efficient U.S. visa options. Applicants outside the United States may apply directly at a U.S. consulate, thus avoiding lengthy processing times with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The visas are granted for 2 year periods (renewable indefinitely), and the spouses of E-3 visa holders are permitted to apply for employment authorization documents.

Currently, 10,500 E-3 visas are allocated each year, yet only half of these are used. This legislation would allow Irish nationals to apply for those visas unused by Australian nationals.

This significant addition to the U.S. immigration system will not only benefit Irish nationals seeking employment in the United States, but also ease restrictions on Americans wanting to live or retire in Ireland.

In conclusion, I would like to say that this does not increase the number of visas that are authorized in total. It merely allows the Irish nationals to apply for the visas that Australian nationals do not want to use on a year-to-year basis.

Sensenbrenners modest proposal would run into trouble, however.

A number of his fellow Republicans in the Senate placed holds on passage of a matching Senate bill. The holds reached a total of six, only to drop back down to just one.

But that one stayed put. Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas brought the hammer down just before Christmas, 2018, and there it would stay through 2019.

Congressman Sensenbrenner would announce in 2019 that he would not be running in the 2020 election.

Meantime, however, he is still a senior House member and in recent days his modest proposal has shown signs of life.

Congressman Neal has moved to revive the E-3s in the House and in the opening days of the New Year a bill arose in the Senate, again with bipartisan support being led by Republican Senator Pat Toomey from Pennsylvania, who, encouraged by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, has been a backer of the Irish E-3 the past eight years or so, and Illinois Democrat, Senator Dick Durbin.

Congressman Sensenbrenner will take his leave of Capitol Hill in just under a year from now. But his work for the Irish might not be done yet.

Excerpt from:
Unlikely visa advocate will take his leave of Congress - Irish Echo

CloseUp Theatre held its performance titled Revelations with the theme Rise Up Against Injustice on Monday, Jan. 20. This event is one of several events held in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. this past weekend.

The Student Center Auditorium crowded with people. With nearly every seat taken, some resorted to sitting on the floor or standing in the back. As the lights dimmed, the audience fell silent in anticipation.

Britney Winn, director of CloseUp Theatre, entered the stage for the last time. Revelations was her last show as director of CloseUp before she departs to begin her own theatre troupe.

Skits presented explored topics such as sexual assault, toxic masculinity, immigration reform, stereotypes, racism, homophobia, and social justice overall. During the skit Taken for instance, the audience was instructed to close their eyes to experience a soundscape intended to make you a fly on the wall in a deportation experience. In the skit Too Black," the persecution and stereotyping of black women were explored. In another skit titled, Unwritten Report," true stories of sexual abuse from troupe members were shared with the audience.

There were also comedic skits intended to, as Winn explained, give the audience an emotional break. Among others, these skits included Justice League, which explored the question Is there such a thing as being too sensitive? and Pass the Aux Cord, showing friends listening to music together paired with the message, music shouldnt define the person.

[CloseUp has] allowed me to grow in a sense of seeing other peoples truths and realities because the internet can only get us so far but when youre right up close and you know people personally who live every day in those realities, it gives you a different feel for everyone, explained Matthew Arnett who has been apart of CloseUp for one year.

Aisha Tahir also reflected on her time with CloseUp.

Honestly, being a Muslim woman, like it was enough for everyone that I was Muslim. I was using that as a crutch to get me in different places, to get jobs, to get opportunities, and so I thought that would be enough to get me into CloseUp. I had to audition three times because it wasnt enough. I failed twice. Well, not failed, but I didnt make the cut twice and then I did the third time and it was because this was the first setting in which I was forced to figure out my identity because it wasnt enough that I just wore a hijab. And I was mad about it at first but it really pushed me to find who I am and Im grateful for that forever, Tahir reflected.

Tahir performed in Revelations as her last show with CloseUp after three years of membership.

This show specifically, I think it pushed all the limits that weve never pushed before. I think there were conversations, unfiltered conversations. Tahir continued. Like yes, we talked about hard topics in the past but not to this level of unfiltered. For me, this was my last show so this was a great way for me to end on.

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CloseUp Theatre performs as part of the MLK 2020 Celebration - Eastern Echo

Republican Pierce Bush is out with his first television ads in the hotly contested GOP primary battle for one of the Houston areas most competitive congressional seats.

Up until now, Republican Kathaleen Wall, who is largely self-funding her campaign, has been the only contender on area television in the battle for the 22nd Congressional District.

In Bushs new ad, he flashes images of Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Beto ORourke talking about immigration reform proposals. Then Bush comes on the screen and warns: Democrats want open borders, and its dangerously naive.

His tough take on the border comes as many of the 15 Republicans running in the March 3 primary are also brandishing their tough immigration stances. Walls TV ads have promised to help build a border wall with President Donald Trump. Former Pearland City Councilman Greg Hill has touted his experience as a former Border Patrol agent. And Fort Bend Sheriff Troy Nehls, in announcing his campaign in a national TV interview, slammed Congress for not securing the nations porous border.

The ads come just days after Bush was endorsed in the primary by retiring U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land. Olson has held the seat since 2008. The 22nd District includes most of Fort Bend County, plus parts of Brazoria and Harris counties.

Bush, a grandson of the late President George H.W. Bush, has never run for office before. Hes been the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters and says that experience has taught him to be the kind of leader that can get things done in Congress.

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Republican Pierce Bush warns of dangerously naive AOC, Beto ORourke in TV ad - Houston Chronicle

With LexingtonFayette Countys unemployment rate hovering between 3 percent and 4 perecent over the past yeareven hitting 2.9 percent in October, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticsthe local economy is officially in a state of full employment, as economists call it.

While this is good news for job seekers, many employers in some of Central Kentuckys key economic sectorsnamely agriculture, construction and hospitalitysay theyre finding it increasingly difficult to fill open positions and retain qualified workers. As lawmakers debate Americas immigration policy, some employers are finding that bringing in temporary noncitizen workers to fill the jobs that others wont, or cant, take may be the only solution to their labor woes.

A 2017 study by Fayette Alliance found that one of every 12 jobs in Fayette County is either directly or indirectly linked to agriculture, which generates $1.3 billion income, profits and dividends annually. The industry accounts for more than $2.3 billion in economic activity each year, and results in $8.5 million in tax revenue.

But finding people to fill those positions is also becoming more difficult, said Will Snell, co-director of the Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program at the University of Kentuckys College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

Farmers [primarily tobacco, equine and dairy farmers] in Kentucky have been challenged with higher labor costs and volatile labor supply, but through the H-2A program they have been able to secure enough labor." Will Snell

Farmers [primarily tobacco, equine and dairy farmers] in Kentucky have been challenged with higher labor costs and volatile labor supply, but through the H-2A program they have been able to secure enough labor," Snell said. However, like many businesses, it is becoming harder to find and keep labor.

H-2A visas allow noncitizen workers to come here legally to work in low-skill, temporary or seasonal agricultural jobs for which U.S. workers are not available. A typical length of stay is 10 months or less, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

According to the Kentucky Workforce and Employment Cabinet, Kentucky will process more than 550 H-2A contracts for more than 760 farmers, resulting in jobs for an estimated 3,500 guest workers.

Farmers are absolutely having a terrible time finding people to work for them, said Rick Alexander, executive director with the Agriculture Workforce Management Association. If youre going to have any kind of labor at all, youre going to have to rely on H-2A visas.

The problem stems from the historically low unemployment rate, he said. Lower unemployment means fewer Americans are willing to take farm jobs. Additionally, many undocumented workers arent willing to take farm jobs, he said.

I dont think its a change in the administration or in policies, Alexander said. Its the economy. There are fewer and fewer undocumented workers to do the work in the ag industry. In a better economy, like weve had lately, those workers get jobs in the construction industry or somewhere else where the work isnt so hard. Farm work isnt easy work.

Hiring foreign workers isnt inexpensive, though. Alexander said farms that come to him to hire workers have to first advertise their jobs and ensure there are no American workers who are willing and able to take them.

Farmers who hire foreign nationals through H-2A visas are also required to pay prevailing wages to the workers, provide them with transportation to and from their country of origin to America, provide them with housing and transportation to run errands like grocery shopping or going to the bank once a week, and to provide them with the utensils needed to cook their own food or provide food for them.

Housing is often provided on farms, he said, and in some cases foreign workers come back year after year.

In this area, some employers bring those workers back for 15 or 20 years, he said. They have to go back each year, but in many cases they end up being part of the family.

Despite some extra costs, the program isnt pricier than hiring an American employee, Alexander said. Farmers dont have to pay taxes on the wages they pay H-2A visa holders, but they do have to carry workers compensation insurance for those same workerssomething they dont have to do with Americans who choose to go into farm work.

And those who carry H-2A visas are required to file annual income tax statements and pay taxes on those wages, he said.

Bob Weiss, executive vice president for the Home Builders Association of Kentucky, said his industry, like many others, is also suffering from a workforce shortage.

What weve found is that the recession of 2008 was so severe that many workers left our industry, he said. They found jobs elsewhere and never came back.

Weve talked to our lawmakers about the troubles were facing, Weiss said. In fact, wed love for Congress to have immigration reform that make sense so we could bring in extra workers.

Some employers in Kentucky say whats needed is common sense reform that would allow them to increase the number of workers in the area who might be willing to take jobs in their industries. According to the Central Kentucky Policy Group, federal policy changes like renewing the Returning Worker Exemption and raising the limit for the H-2B visa program are both priorities.

Many workers arrive through the H-2B visa program, which allows U.S. employers that meet specific regulatory requirements to bring in foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary nonagricultural jobs. H-2B classification may be extended for qualifying employment in increments of up to one year each, and a new, valid temporary labor certification covering the requested time must accompany each request. The maximum stay allowed under an H-2B classification is three years. The yearly national cap on additional visas for returning workers was raised by 30,000 for 2019, but that cap was reached long before the years end.

Pam Avery, the 2018 and 2019 president of the Bluegrass Hospitality Association, and general manager of Embassy Suites Lexington Green, said the labor crunch in the hospitality industry isnt one she believes will let up soon, either.

The job environment in hospitality has been pretty tight for the past 24 months, and I think it will continue for some time to come, she said of many open positions that are difficult to fill. Engineers, housekeepers, wait staff I dont think were going to see this [tight labor market] let up anytime soon. Thats the world in which we live right nowits not an industry where the jobs are valued as much as they used to be.

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