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San Francisco County Transportation Authority REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR COMPUTER NETWORK AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES
(RFP 24/25-03)
Notice is hereby given that the San Francisco County Transportation Authority is requesting proposals from qualified respondents (proposers) to provide Computer Network and Maintenance Services. The full RFP is posted on the Transportation Authority’s website, www.sfcta.org/contracting. Proposals are due to the Transportation Authority electronically to info@sfcta.org by February 3, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
– El Reportero newspaper.

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SF holds its 21st Annual Walk for Life

by Magdy Zara

If you want to join the peaceful walk for life you are welcome, as every year the Annual Walk for Life of the West Coast will be held, for the right to life of the little ones.

The organizers of the event assure that their intention is to carry a vocal and visual message on behalf of the population of the West Coast, “we want to reach women harmed by abortion, change the perceptions of a society that thinks that abortion is an answer and inform society about the physical and mental damage that abortion causes to women.”

They added that this walk is held every year on or near January 22, since it is the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the day the Supreme Court of the United States made the decision to legalize abortion.

This year there will be an exceptional group of speakers, in addition to many fun and faith-filled activities around the Walk, and there will also be information tables.

The rally begins at 11 a.m. this Saturday, Jan. 25 at the Civic Center Plaza, then will walk down Market Street (2 miles), ending at the Embarcadero/Ferry Building Plaza.

Pachamama style Carnival Saturdays begin

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Peña Cachamama, the great Cuban sonero, Fito Reinoso joins Eddy Navia and the Pachamama Band, in a masterful show full of music and dance from Bolivia, Peru and Argentina

Also present will be the director of the SF Civic Symphony Arun Saigal, Gabriel Navia, Nitya Rajeshuni and Monica Mendoza, queen of the SF Carnival 2024.

The Peña Pachamama is a renowned restaurant that makes a fusion of Latin American food with organic cuisine, which presents live music and dancing every weekend.

This evening will feature high-energy traditional musicians, dancers dressed in Andean costumes, and original music by the great Bolivian composer and charangist Eddy Navia.

The event is this Saturday, Jan. 25th starting at 7:30 p.m., at 1630 Powell St San Francisco, the price of admission is from $18 and the cost includes the main dish of your choice and you can come to dinner early or during the show.

Reserve a show: www.penapachamama.com

John Santos and his Sextet present “Horizontes”

John Santos

John Santos, nominated for several Grammy awards and member of USA Fontanals, and his stellar Sextet, released this January 1st their new album called Horizontes.

“Horizontes” has the participation of 20 of the best musicians and vocalists in the world and is dedicated to children. This new work is made up of 8 original compositions and arrangements that represent a wide variety of styles and rhythms of the Afro-Latin diaspora.

Horizontes is our musical reaffirmation of the power of love to transform our hearts and minds.

The concert will take place this Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at Freight&Salvage 2020 Addison St. Berkeley, starting at 7 p.m., tickets start at $44.

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Jarochos, who they are and why they are called that

The origin of the word jarocho is found in the skilled mulatto horsemen who herded cattle in Veracruz. Let’s learn more about it!

Although today we generally use the name jarocho to call the people of Veracruz and more specifically, those of its coast, its origin dates back to the third root of Mexico: the African. And it is that at first, the term designated the mulatto and Afro-descendant population of this state. With this, a rich cultural and social history of centuries was synthesized in a single word. This became the foundation of a rich Veracruz tradition.

The jarocha and the jarochos: the origin of the word

The term jarocho dates back to the exuberant livestock that was practiced in the region of the Veracruz coast, from its introduction in the 16th century. The horsemen in charge of herding cattle in Sotavento (one of the coastal areas of Veracruz), used a lance, which was called jara or jarocha, a word of Arabic origin. This style of mounted ranching was originally from the region of Andalusia, in Spain.

The aforementioned cattle pike was the tool that differentiated these horsemen from the chinacos of the Altiplano of Mexico. Another fundamental characteristic is that these men on horseback were mulattoes, that is, of African descent. They usually came from communities where people from Africa (most of them fugitive slaves) had married indigenous people from the region.

The birth of the jarocho stereotype

In the viceregal era, these horsemen were dedicated above all to herding cattle. They drove them with their lances from the coast of Veracruz to Córdoba, Orizaba and Mexico City. It was precisely in the capital of the country, at the beginning of the 19th century, when they began to be called jarochos, thanks to their showy work tool.

During the War of Independence and after it, the jarochos played a role similar to that of the chinacos, but in Veracruz lands. There, in addition to cattle work, they dedicated themselves to forming militias that participated in the various conflicts that the young nation suffered.

Also in this century, they were described in various chronicles by both other Mexicans and European travelers. Their skill on horseback was visible; they carried, in addition to the jara, a machete attached to their belt. They rode barefoot and wore wide-sleeved shirts. Their heads were covered with wide-brimmed, low-crowned hats. The jarochas, on the other hand, wore low-cut blouses, light shoes that left their toes uncovered, and a shawl. Their hair was held back by a comb.

It was often said that the Jarochos despised agricultural work, considering it monotonous and boring. On the other hand, herding cattle assured them excitement and various adventures in their daily lives. They were skilled in words, had a bold character and loved parties and fandangos.

The great Jarocho region

Although the Jarocho originated in the coastal area of ​​Sotavento, in Veracruz, in the 19th century it became a cultural region of the country. And the Afro-descendant population that was called Jarocha was not only located in this Mexican state. It extended from Veracruz lands to the states of Oaxaca and Tabasco, in the basins of the Papaloapan and Coatzacoalcos rivers.

An example of this is the son jarocho, the musical expression par excellence of the region, which also took shape in the 19th century. It is still performed today in the port of Veracruz, as well as in San Juan Guichicovi, Tuxtepec, Ixcatlán and Ojitlán in Oaxaca, and in Huimanguillo, Tabasco. Numerous mestizo, Nahua, Popoluca, Mixe, Mazatec, Zapotec and Chinantec populations in these three Mexican entities remain immersed in the jarocho culture.

After the cultural renaissance of Veracruz in the 1950s and the jaranero movement of the 1970s and 1980s, jarocho became the colloquial name for the people of Veracruz, particularly those from the port and Sotavento, regardless of their ethnic origin. However, we must not forget its origin in the mulatto and Afro-descendant communities of the extensive transoceanic region of Mexico.

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San Francisco experiences second day of protests amid debate over Trump administration

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by the El Reportero staff

San Francisco was once again the center of massive protests this Sunday, when hundreds of people gathered in front of the Civic Center to demonstrate against the upcoming government of Donald Trump. The city, historically a refuge for immigrant communities, witnessed an event that brought together human rights organizations, feminist groups, and civil rights groups, among others, who expressed their rejection of what they consider a threat to the most vulnerable communities.

The protest began in the Latino neighborhood of the Mission and headed toward the San Francisco Civic Center in front of City Hall.

Activists from different sectors raised their voices against Trump’s policies, accusing him of putting civil rights and protections for immigrants at risk. However, amid the protest, voices also emerged in defense of the president-elect, who stressed that his focus on strengthening borders and security represents a necessary step to regain control and ensure the well-being of American citizens.

In front of the steps of the building that houses the city government, an improvised platform was set up. In their speeches, the protesters denounced the policies of mass deportation and the criminalization of immigrants.

Martha Garrido, leader of the Women’s Collective and member of Misión Acción, highlighted the importance of the work of immigrant women in the country’s economy. “We, immigrant women, sustain this country. Thanks to our work, many families can get ahead,” said Garrido, highlighting the positive contribution of immigrants to society.

From another angle, those who support Trump pointed out that immigration policies must be stricter to guarantee the security and well-being of citizens. According to their arguments, immigration laws should focus on those who have broken the law, rather than those who have contributed to the country even if they are undocumented.

Laura Valdez, executive director of Mission Action, called on local authorities to strengthen protections for immigrant communities, while others at the protest argued for a tougher stance against the new administration’s immigration policies.

San Francisco remains a symbol of resistance and solidarity, according to organizers, but tensions between those who defend Trump’s policies and those who reject them continue to grow, as both groups struggle to shape the nation’s future.

– With reporting by Eric Alcocer Chavez of Peninsula360Press.

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2-week delay? Trump says 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada to take effect Feb. 1

by the El Reportero’s wire services

United States President Donald Trump said Monday that his administration could impose a 25 percent tariff on Mexican and Canadian exports to the U.S. on Feb. 1, almost two weeks later than he previously planned.

“We’re thinking in terms of 25 percent on Mexico and Canada because they’re allowing vast numbers of people … to come in and fentanyl to come in,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday night as he signed a batch of executive orders.

Asked when he would enact the tariffs, the newly-inaugurated president said Feb. 1.

“I think we’ll do it February first,” he said.

CNBC reported that there has been speculation that U.S. tariffs on Mexico and Canada exports “might be targeted at certain essential items rather than being more broad-based.”

In any case, they would violate the terms of the USMCA, the North American free trade pact that superseded NAFTA in 2020.

Tariffs would also have a potentially calamitous effect on the Mexican export industry — which sent goods worth more than US $466 billion to the U.S. in the first 11 months of last year — and the Mexican economy in general. Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis at Mexico’s Banco Base, said late last year that the Mexican economy would go into recession if Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on Mexican exports to the United States.

In late November, Trump pledged to impose a 25 percent tariff on all Mexican and Canadian exports to the United States on the first day of his second term as U.S. president. He said at the time that the tariff would remain in effect “until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!”

President Claudia Sheinbaum subsequently said that Mexico would impose a 25 percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. exports to Mexico if Trump followed through on his tariff threat. She said last week that her government would seek to avert the proposed tariff through dialogue with the Trump administration.

Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said in November that Mexico would be shooting itself in the foot if it imposed a 25 percent tariff on Mexican exports, asserting that such a duty would have an adverse impact on consumers in the United States and cause the loss of “around 400,000 jobs” in the U.S. Last week, he expressed confidence that Mexico would be able to stave off the proposed tariff.

“I guarantee you we’re going to find [a way out],” Ebrard said.

While Trump’s stated reason for imposing tariffs on the United States’ North American trade partners is the entry of migrants and drugs from Mexico and Canada, the U.S. president also dislikes the fact that the U.S. has trade deficits with its two neighbors.

“We’re subsidizing Canada to the tune of over $100 billion a year. We’re subsidizing Mexico for almost $300 billion,” he said in December, significantly exaggerating the United States’ trade deficits with both countries.

“We shouldn’t be — why are we subsidizing these countries? If we’re going to subsidize them, let them become a state. We’re subsidizing Mexico and we’re subsidizing Canada and we’re subsidizing many countries all over the world,” Trump said.

Trump issues ‘America First Trade Policy’ memo

While he didn’t keep his promise to impose tariffs on Mexican exports on the first day of his presidency, Trump did issue an “American First Trade Policy” memorandum that paves the way for the implementation of protectionist measures.

The memo said that “the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the United States Trade Representative, shall investigate the causes of our country’s large and persistent annual trade deficits in goods, as well as the economic and national security implications and risks resulting from such deficits, and recommend appropriate measures, such as a global supplemental tariff or other policies, to remedy such deficits.”

It also said that “the United States Trade Representative, in consultation with the heads of other relevant executive departments and agencies, shall assess the impact of the USMCA on American workers, farmers, ranchers, service providers, and other businesses and make recommendations regarding the United States’ participation in the agreement.”

The USMCA is up for review in 2026, and Trump has pledged to renegotiate the pact.

“I’ll … seek strong new protections against transshipment, so that China and other countries cannot smuggle their products and auto parts into the United States tax free through Mexico to the detriment of our workers and our supply chains,” he said in October.

In his inauguration speech in the United States Capitol Rotunda, Trump said he would “immediately begin the overhaul of our trade system to protect American workers and families.”

“Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens. For this purpose, we are establishing the External Revenue Service to collect all tariffs, duties and revenues. It will be massive amounts of money pouring into our treasury coming from foreign sources,” he said.

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The hidden dangers of giving cellphones to children at an early age

por Marvin Ramírez

In today’s digital age, the sight of a child engrossed in a cellphone screen has become all too common. Parents, often with good intentions, provide their children with these devices to entertain, educate, or stay connected. However, the consequences of introducing young minds to cellphones too early are profound and alarming. These devices, combined with the content propagated by social media giants, have become powerful tools that can capture and shape young minds, often to the detriment of their culture, values, and behavior. This issue is particularly concerning for children of immigrant families, whose parents may lack fluency in English and are unaware of the subtle yet pervasive influence these platforms wield.

Social media companies are experts in capturing attention. Their platforms are designed to be addictive, employing algorithms that track user behavior and serve content specifically tailored to hold their interest. For young children, whose brains are still developing, this can have dire consequences. These platforms expose them to a constant stream of content that is often superficial, materialistic, or culturally alien, subtly reshaping their worldview. Children are especially vulnerable because they lack the critical thinking skills needed to discern harmful or misleading information from positive and constructive material.

The cultural erosion caused by early exposure to cellphones and social media is a significant concern. Many children of immigrant families grow up in households where cultural traditions, values, and languages are cherished and passed down through generations. However, when these children spend hours scrolling through social media, they are inundated with content that often contradicts or undermines their familial and cultural values. For instance, a child from a family that emphasizes respect for elders and community-oriented living may be drawn to social media influencers promoting individualism and self-centered lifestyles. Over time, this repeated exposure can lead to a disconnection from their heritage and the values their parents worked so hard to instill.

Parental unawareness exacerbates the problem. Immigrant parents, particularly those who do not command the English language, often struggle to monitor the content their children consume. Many assume that digital devices and platforms are harmless or even beneficial, unaware that their children are being exposed to inappropriate content or ideologies that may conflict with their family’s values. Without understanding the language or nuances of the content, these parents cannot guide or shield their children effectively.

Moreover, social media platforms often promote behaviors and ideals that deviate from what most parents consider “good behavior.” For example, children are frequently exposed to trends that glorify risky or disrespectful behavior, whether through viral challenges, videos, or memes. These trends can normalize actions that conflict with the moral and ethical lessons parents strive to teach. In extreme cases, such exposure can lead to behavioral issues, such as defiance, reduced empathy, or a lack of respect for authority figures.

The role of social media companies in this phenomenon cannot be overstated. These corporations invest billions of dollars in creating content and features that ensure users, including children, remain hooked. From autoplay videos to endless scrolling, these features are designed to maximize screen time. The longer children stay on these platforms, the more data these companies collect, enabling them to refine their algorithms further. This creates a vicious cycle: the more children engage, the more tailored and captivating the content becomes, pulling them deeper into the digital world and further away from their families.

The consequences of this disconnection are not merely cultural but also psychological and emotional. Studies have shown that excessive screen time and exposure to social media can lead to issues such as anxiety, depression, and poor self-esteem. Young children, who are particularly impressionable, may begin to compare themselves to the unrealistic standards often portrayed online. This can result in feelings of inadequacy or a distorted sense of self-worth. Additionally, the constant stimulation provided by cellphones and social media can impact attention spans and hinder the development of essential social skills.

Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach. First, parents need to become more aware of the content their children are consuming and the potential dangers it poses. For immigrant families, this may involve seeking resources or community support to better understand the digital landscape. Schools and community organizations can play a crucial role in educating parents about digital literacy and providing tools to monitor and guide their children’s online activities.

Second, parents should establish boundaries around cellphone and social media use. Setting limits on screen time and encouraging alternative activities, such as reading, outdoor play, or family bonding, can help reduce children’s reliance on digital devices. Creating “device-free” zones or times, such as during meals or before bedtime, can also foster healthier habits and stronger family connections.

Finally, there is a need for greater accountability from social media companies. These platforms must take responsibility for the content they promote and the impact it has on young users. Governments and advocacy groups should push for stricter regulations to ensure that these companies prioritize the well-being of children over profits. This could include measures such as age-appropriate content filters, more robust parental controls, and transparency in how algorithms operate.

The pervasive influence of cellphones and social media on young minds is a modern challenge that demands urgent attention. Parents, educators, and policymakers must work together to protect children from the harmful effects of early exposure to these technologies. By fostering awareness, setting boundaries, and holding social media companies accountable, we can help preserve the cultural values, emotional well-being, and positive behaviors that are essential for children to thrive.

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Predictions for 2025: AI advancement, rejection of globalism and climate alarmism

2025 will likely see rapid advancements in AI, a wholescale retreat from those pushing the ‘green’ climate agenda, and an opportunity for those who question mainstream narratives to freely come together against globalism

by James Corbett

(The Corbett Report) — It’s January and the New Year is upon us.

It’s customary at this time of year for those of us pundits and pontificators who make our living scanning the news feeds to make our predictions for the coming year, so – why not? – I’ll go ahead and throw my hat in the ring, too.

But this year I’m going to do something a little different: I’m going to make one “sure-bet” prediction, one “maybe possible” prediction and one “it’s not technically impossible!” aspirational prediction.

Let’s go!

Sure-bet prediction: you AIn’t seen nothin’ yet!

Oh, sure, for my 100 percent guaranteed-to-happen sure-bet prediction I could go with some banal non-prediction wherein I state an obvious fact that everyone agrees with.

“I predict that politicians will lie this year!”

“I predict the globalists will push technocracy on the public!”

“I predict that water will be wet, the sun will rise every morning, and the pope will defecate in the woods … or bears will be Catholic. Or something like that!”

But what would be the fun in that?

No, my sure-bet prediction for 2025 is slightly less boring than those truisms, but no less certain to take place. I predict that 2025 will be the Year of AI.

Right off the bat, you might have a couple of objections to this prediction. You might insist on rehashing the old “toasters don’t have a soul!” argument, for example, but that’s not what I’m talking about here. Or you might object that 2024 was the year of AI (or at least the year of AI hype). But if you think that, all I can say is: you AIn’t seen nothing yet! (<–see what I did there?)

As we head into the New Year, it has now become a full-time job just keeping track of the slew of AI stories flooding the newswires.

Have you heard of OnionGPT, the new, uncensored, “dark web” AI chatbot that’s teaching how to cook meth (and Lord knows what else!) to (gasp!) five thousand people per day?

Did you see the story about Meta admitting they’ve been secretly seeding their social media platforms with fake, AI-generated characters (complete with elaborate backstories and fictitious life experiences) for years now?

Did you catch the announcement that OpenAI is partnering with Anduril to create new AI weapons systems for the incoming Trump/Thiel/Musk administration?

Have you read lame duck Biden’s “Memorandum on Advancing the United States’ Leadership in Artificial Intelligence“?

Did you catch NIST’s announcement of its new task force on AI and national security?

Are you aware of xAI’s newly launched “Colossus” data center, currently consisting of an impressive 100,000 GPUs and about to be upgraded to a truly mind-boggling 1,000,000 GPUs, drawing an equally mind-boggling 1.5 gigawatts of power?

Are you familiar with the latest research demonstrating that, yes, large language models are capable of strategically lying in order to achieve their goals, even pretending to comply with constraints placed upon them by their human creators while secretly plotting to defy those constraints?

Well, if you’re not familiar with all that info, you likely will be soon. The AI news is going to be well-nigh inescapable in the coming year.

Now, by all means, cross your arms, plug your ears, scream it’s all fake and insist that nothing at all is happening here. Try to convince everyone that AI is just the next big hype and that after the bust we’ll realize AI’s “impact on the economy has been no greater than the fax machine’s.” (Hmmm, where have I heard that before?)

But, like it or not, 2025 is going to be a year of AI mania, and it’s only going to accelerate from here.

Maybe possible prediction: Greenies in retreat?

As I tried to stress in my Story of the Year for 2024 (see New World Next Year 2025), things are not all smooth sailing for the would-be world controllers. Last year we saw growing awareness of (and pushback against) the globalist agenda, as reflected in a sea change in public opinion on a number of topics that are key to the conspirators’ plans.

To take one example, 2024 saw the fall from grace of former globalist darlings like Justin Trudeau, the rise of populist movements around the globe, and the near-absence from the public stage of carnival barkers like Klaus Schwab or idiot non-savants like Bill Gates.

To take another example, 2024 saw the failure of the biosecurity bigwigs and their Big Pharma accomplices at the WHO to pass their coveted pandemic treaty.

But perhaps the most startling sea change of all occurred in the discourse around the globalist’s favourite bogeyman (or is that “favourite ManBearPig“?), the “climate emergency” myth.

No one who has been even semi-conscious for the past two decades could fail to notice that the globalists have been putting a lot of their eggs in the ManBearPig basket, banking on the public to be so frightened of the angry weather gods that they would beg to be locked down in their Absolute Zero cities and their 15-Minute cities.

But despite an unrelenting, decades-long propaganda campaign, the public are not only less afraid of the “end of the world in 100 years” scare story than they were before, they’re watching the multi-trillion-dollar climate swindle fall apart in front of their very eyes.

First there was the COP flop, with the U.N.’s annual exercise in global government beta testing devolving into a farce so pathetic that even its staunchest supporters denounced it as a “meaningless ritual” and a “total waste of time.”

Then came the news that the $100 trillion-dollar takeover of the global economy otherwise known as the “net zero transition” is on its deathbed. In a stunning turnaround, all six of the “Big 6” U.S. banks have left the Net-Zero Banking Alliance in recent months, and BlackRock has just announced that it’s leaving the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative, too.

Heck, even Big Oil is backtracking on their unicorn fart green economy promises, withv BP, Shell, Equinor, and other oil-igarch companies quietly scaling back on their investments in renewables in favour of good ol’ oil and gas.

n the name of the climate crisis, more people than ever are realizing that these authoritarian measures are not about saving the earth at all. The ginned-up “climate emergency” was never about saving the earth.

U.K. climate groups are declaring this “The Beginning of the End” of the net zero agenda, and climate realists are finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

Now, let’s not kid ourselves here: the “climate emergency” myth that the globalists have been propagandizing us with for decades is not going away. They’re not going to simply admit reality, declare the emergency over, and let you go on with your life as usual.

Yes, companies are backing away from public pledges of fealty to the ESG cult and sacrifices to the net zero weather gods, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to stop actually doing these things. They’re just going to be more low-key about it and hope the public doesn’t find out.

But if we stop at that level of analysis – namely, “they’re going to keep doing it so nothing’s changed!” – then we miss the real point here.

The point is that for the first time in decades, people are starting to see this “sustainable development” scam for what it really is: an attempt by the entitled few to siphon off yet more of the world’s wealth and resources for themselves and to reduce the rest of us to absolute poverty.

And, for the first time in decades, the false prophets of the global warming religion aren’t able to frighten the public with their ManBearPig scare story or entice trendy virtue signalers to sterilize themselves (or kill themselves) to save the earth.

No, the climate cultists are not down for the count, but they can no longer rely on the public to believe them when they cry wolf. Let me reiterate for the permanently pessimistic and the hard-of-thinking: this means we are winning, not losing.

‘It’s not technically impossible!’ aspirational prediction: The conspiracy realist space actually unites

I have a dream that one day conspiracy realists will rise up and live out the true meaning of the creed: “The truth is out there.”

I have a dream that one day in the comment section of alt media websites, the “Trump is our saviour!” people and the “Lesser-of-two-evils” voters and the flat-earthers and the no-planers and the no-virusers and the commies and the people who insist on turning every single online discussion into a religious argument will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood and realize we are all in this together against the oligarchs.

I have a dream that my subscribers will one day live in a world where they will not be judged by their disobedience to the state but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every YouTube alternative shall be exalted, and every mainstream media website and every censoring social media platform shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; “and the value of #SolutionsWatch shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the internet with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our online spaces into a beautiful symphony of humanity. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to grow vegetables together, to struggle together, to avoid vaccine mandates together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

Let freedom ring from people gathering in the actual, real, non-digital physical world (which, yes, still does exist!).

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And when this happens, and when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all conspiracy enthusiasts, amateur investigators, solutions-oriented activists, and Corbett Report members will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

… Well, a guy can dream, can’t he?

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Judge halts Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship, citing constitutional violations  

by the El Reportero’s staff

President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to undocumented immigrants has faced a significant legal setback. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge John Coughenour temporarily blocked the order, siding with a lawsuit filed by Arizona, Illinois, Oregon, and Washington, which challenges its constitutionality. The lawsuit is one of five brought by 22 states following the executive action, and this ruling marks the first significant court decision on the matter.

Trump’s Jan. 20, 2025, executive order sought to invalidate birthright citizenship, which has been guaranteed by the 14th Amendment for over 150 years. The order argued that the 14th Amendment never intended to extend citizenship to children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants. The directive required federal agencies to deny citizenship documents to children of parents who are “unlawfully present” or hold temporary legal status in the U.S.

However, Judge Coughenour, appointed by Republican President Ronald Reagan, called the order “blatantly unconstitutional,” expressing disbelief at its legal foundation. He said, “I can’t remember another case where the question presented is as clear as this one,” and criticized the lack of legal justification for the order.

The judge’s ruling halts the policy, which was scheduled to take effect in February. Legal experts argue that the president cannot unilaterally alter constitutional rights through executive orders. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also challenged the order, joining other critics who view it as a violation of the 14th Amendment’s guarantees of equal protection and due process.

In response to the ruling, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said the administration would appeal the decision, reaffirming Trump’s commitment to pursuing a broader immigration policy overhaul. “This is just the beginning,” she stated, as Trump’s administration continues its push for stricter immigration controls.

The executive order is part of a wider set of immigration reforms promised by Trump, including measures such as reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy, ending “catch and release,” and accelerating the construction of a physical border wall. Trump also intends to declare a national emergency at the border, deploying armed forces and building barriers to prevent illegal immigration.

Transgender Policy Executive Order Faces Criticism and Legal Challenges

In addition to his immigration agenda, Trump signed another controversial executive order that targets transgender policies within the federal government. On Jan. 20, 2025, the president signed the Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government order, which redefines gender as strictly male or female based on biological sex. It also removes transgender-related policies from federal agencies.

The order mandates that federal documents, including passports and Social Security records, reflect individuals’ biological sex rather than self-identified gender. It also restricts federal funding for transgender medical services, including those for minors. These measures have provoked strong backlash from civil rights organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the ACLU.

Opponents argue that the order undermines the rights of transgender people and could foster widespread discrimination. Kelley Robinson, President of the HRC, described the order as “a direct attack on the rights and dignity of transgender people.” Maya Wiley, of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, added that it “further marginalizes already vulnerable communities.”

One of the key provisions of the order is its prohibition on transgender medical treatments for minors, such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy. The Trump administration justifies this as a way to protect children from medical procedures that may have irreversible consequences. Public opinion polls show that a significant portion of Americans supports these measures, with 71% opposing transgender medical treatments for minors.

Supporters of the order, including detransitioned individuals and advocates of “biological sex” definitions, see it as a necessary step to safeguard women’s sports and protect minors from pressures to transition. Critics, however, warn that the order will marginalize transgender people, especially those who have already transitioned, and harm inclusivity in society.

Legal experts suggest that Trump’s executive order on transgender issues is also likely to face legal challenges. Similar to the birthright citizenship order, it may be delayed pending court rulings. The potential legal battles signal a broader struggle over federal policies concerning gender identity and civil rights.

A Controversial Presidency, Facing Legal Scrutiny

Both executive orders—on birthright citizenship and transgender issues—reflect the deep political divisions within American society on questions of immigration and transgender rights. While Trump continues to push forward with his agenda, his policies face intense legal scrutiny, and both are expected to be challenged in court.

Legal experts broadly agree that the president lacks the authority to unilaterally alter constitutional provisions like the 14th Amendment, which guarantees birthright citizenship, or redefine gender identity in federal law. As the lawsuits unfold, these executive actions are expected to remain at the center of national debates over constitutional interpretation, civil rights, and the future of U.S. immigration and gender policies.

Despite these hurdles, Trump’s administration has shown no signs of backing down. His legal team has vowed to appeal the temporary block on the birthright citizenship order, and his continued push for tougher immigration laws signals that the fight is far from over. The executive order on transgender rights also promises to ignite further legal battles, as courts will ultimately decide whether the president can redefine gender for federal purposes.

As the legal challenges play out, both policies remain controversial. Proponents view them as steps toward enforcing “traditional” values, while critics see them as overreaches that violate fundamental rights. What is clear, however, is that Trump’s presidency is marked by aggressive attempts to reshape American law through executive power, with significant legal and social consequences that will likely endure long after the end of his term.

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Immigrants, documented and undocumented, will rebuild LA after the fires

El complejo de apartamentos Pacific Palisades Bowl Mobile Estates destruido por el incendio Palisades en el vecindario Pacific Palisades de Los Ángeles, el jueves 16 de enero de 2025. (Foto AP/Damian Dovarganes). The Pacific Palisades Bowl Mobile Estates apartment complex destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.

A majority of essential workers in construction and disaster cleanup, critical to rebuilding communities destroyed by the LA fires, are immigrants. Many are undocumented

by Pilar Marrero

Ethnic Media Services

Even as the devastating fires in Los Angeles continue to burn, leaving a trail of destruction, stories are emerging about the role immigrants are playing in recovery efforts from what is likely the worst disaster in California history.

Some are calling them, “second responders.”

“The guys (day laborers) are already out helping because there aren’t enough city personnel,” says Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of LA (CHIRLA). “They are going through the streets, helping people cut down their trees and get them off the roads.”

But Salas and others worry about the exploitation many of these workers face.

“It’s something they always go through,” she notes. “They go, clean up, and rebuild, and all of a sudden, it’s no pay, entry into toxic zones with no protection, and contractors hiring subcontractors and day laborers with no guarantees.”

Donald Trump’s return to the White House on January 20 heightens such fears, with his promise of mass deportations targeting unauthorized migrants increasing their sense of vulnerability.

“I think people might not show up for jobs in Los Angeles for fear of being raided,” said Jennie Murray of the National Immigration Forum, which brings together business owners and law enforcement leaders sympathetic to the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

A majority of essential workers in construction and disaster cleanup, critical to recovery in communities like Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and elsewhere affected by the fires, are immigrants. Many are undocumented or have temporary permission under programs like TPS and DACA, programs the new administration is threatening to eliminate.

“These are the people who are rebuilding the United States after hurricanes, floods, and fires; the vast majority are immigrants, and they are highly vulnerable, and they are highly exploited while doing that work,” explained activist Saket Soni of Resilient Workforce in an 2023 interview with NPR.

Post-disaster recovery industry

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the George W. Bush administration temporarily suspended sanctions on employers who hired undocumented immigrants in order to facilitate rebuilding efforts in affected areas.

Since then, natural disasters linked to climate change have multiplied, with immigrant workers the backbone of what has become a multi-billion-dollar, post-disaster recovery industry financed by both the government and insurance companies.

Experts say fear of detention and deportation contributes to labor abuses, and the overall health and safety of these workers.

Nick Theodore with the Department of Urban Planning and Policy at the University of Illinois Chicago surveyed workers during rebuilding in New Orleans after Hurricane IDA in 2021. He found that 40 percent of workers came to NOLA after the hurricane from other areas of the U.S., so-called “storm chasers,” a workforce flexibility unique to migrant laborers and vital to recovery efforts.

Yet Theodore’s survey also found numerous instances of labor violations and wage theft. Many workers reported various physical effects following cleanup operations after the disaster, which exposed responders to a range of toxic substances.

‘A perfect storm’

From her home on the Pasadena-Altadena border, Salas worries about what lies ahead.

“Here in California, we have been through many natural and weather disasters and, in every situation, the ones who go in and rebuild are almost always Latino immigrants.”

But they don’t just rebuild. Latinos are also victims of this disaster. Salas and nearly 300 members of her family live near the fires.

“My niece lost her house, so did my cousin’s husband’s dad, my best friend’s house burned down, and so did my cousin’s house,” Salas recounts. “My mother was evacuated, and several family members were left without work because they either worked as domestic workers or one of my mother’s sisters worked in a place where they took care of old people that also burned down. My sister is a teacher in a school that no longer exists.”

Salas’ parents were the first in her family to arrive from El Salvador in the 1970s. They all settled in northwest Pasadena, “One of the few places where African Americans and Latinos could buy homes.”

Data from the UCLA Institute for Public Policy and Politics estimates that more than 74,000 Latinos live within evacuation and warning zones, with one-in-four displaced or at risk of being displaced in Los Angeles County. Longstanding health and economic disparities further complicate their recovery. Many have no insurance.

“Right now, we are talking with the California Labor Commissioner about increasing protections for undocumented immigrants and immigrant workers in general,” said Salas. “For an unscrupulous employer, the easiest thing to do is say, ‘I’m going to call immigration; who are you going to complain to?’”

With Los Angeles scheduled to host the 2028 Olympics, on top of the already massive scale of reconstruction needed, concerns are mounting over the rising costs for labor and the potential for abuse.

“These fires are happening at a time when labor availability is low, when there are not enough workers for our industries in general, not just construction,” said Murray of National Immigration Forum.

She also warned of spillover effects on the insurance industry, with higher construction costs driving up the costs of coverage, “because these workers will be unavailable or afraid to move to the places where they are needed.”

“It’s a perfect storm,” she said.

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Latino and Hispanic-owned small businesses more optimistic about 2025 economic outlook  

Sponsored by JPMorganChase

As we enter 2025, small business owners are finding a silver lining amidst challenges. The latest JPMorganChase’s 2025 Business Leaders Outlook Survey reveals a wave of optimism sweeping through the sector. More than 70% of small business owners express confidence, feeling “optimistic” or “very optimistic” about both their industry’s and their company’s performance in the coming year.

Notably, diverse business owners are showing greater optimism about the economic landscape at local, national, and global levels. Latino and Hispanic small business owners plan to rely more on all types of funding for their businesses compared to all business owners this year.

Here are five key findings from this year’s survey.

  • Economic optimism grows each year…

More than half of Latino and Hispanic small business owners expressed optimism about the state of the local, national and global economy. Close to 80% had the same optimism about their industry’s performance or their own company’s performance.

  • …but some concerns exist

While small businesses seem to have left the economic uncertainty of the pandemic years behind, diverse-owned businesses remain more cautious about the future. Interestingly, they are still more likely to anticipate a recession in 2025 compared to the broader business community. However, less than a third of diverse-owned businesses expect an economic downturn – among Latino and Hispanic-owned small businesses, 32% said “yes” to expectations of a recession in 2025. This cautious optimism reflects a nuanced perspective, balancing resilience with a watchful eye on potential economic shifts.

  • Inflation is top concern, but cybersecurity challenges are growing

As inflation remains the top challenge for business owners going into 2025, Latino and Hispanic business owners are particularly attuned to the threat of cybersecurity, identifying it as their second-biggest challenge. This concern surpasses the “uncertainty of economic conditions,” which ranks second among the broader community. Across all groups, rising taxes emerge as the third most pressing issue. This highlights a distinct focus among diverse business owners on the importance of protecting their operations from any threats.

  • Finding funding

Diverse-owned businesses are strategically positioning themselves to tap into a variety of funding sources more than small business overall. Latino and Hispanic-owned businesses, for instance, notably showed a preference for business credit cards (61%) and loans from traditional banks/credit unions (43%). A significant majority of Latino and Hispanic-owned businesses (76%) are also more likely than the overall business respondents (55%) to explore online lending this year.

  • Ambitious hiring plans amid talent challenges

Diverse-owned businesses are setting ambitious hiring goals for 2025. Among Latino and Hispanic-owned businesses, 63% foresee an increase in full-time hires and 52% anticipated more part-time hires. This contrasts with 46% of all respondents expecting full-time hiring increases and just 38% planning for part-time hires.

However, these businesses face significant challenges in finding the right candidates. A vast majority (91%) of Latino and Hispanic-owned businesses express concerns around recruitment. Latino and Hispanic-owned businesses cite the challenge of opening new locations (34%).

This response is echoed across the board, with 79% of all respondents worried about finding suitable candidates.

The bottom line

Economic optimism is on the rise among diverse-owned small business owners, with Latino and Hispanic-owned small businesses having greater confidence in the local, national and global economic outlook than survey responses overall.

Despite some apprehensions about a potential recession and recruitment challenges, diverse-owned small businesses are determined to expand their workforce and secure funding to fuel growth. This determination underscores their optimism for 2025 and their readiness to make strategic moves to scale their operations.

For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described in this article or provided via links may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any business. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. The material is not intended to provide legal, tax, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. product or service. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions and consult the appropriate professional(s). Outlooks and past performance are not guarantees of future results. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates are not responsible for, and do not provide or endorse third party products, services, or other content.

Deposit products provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.

 © 2025 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

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