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Brazilian manufacturer, facing 50 percent US tariffs, looks to invest in Mexico

WEG, fabricante industrial brasileño, planea invertir en México ante los altos aranceles estadounidenses que afectan a sus fábricas en Brasil. -- WEG, a Brazilian industrial manufacturer, plans to invest in Mexico as its Brazilian factories face high U.S. tariffs.

by Mexico News Daily

Brazilian company WEG, known for manufacturing electric motors, transformers and industrial equipment, is accelerating its expansion in Mexico in direct response to the new tariffs imposed by the United States government on industrial products originating in Brazil.

The U.S. hit the South American country with a 50% tariff, one of the highest in the world. This has led WEG to relocate part of its production to Mexico, which maintains preferential access to the North American market under the USMCA free trade deal.

“We’ve been working to accelerate capacity investments in Mexico,” Chief Financial Officer André Luís Rodrigues said in an interview. “We don’t see this situation lasting for a long period, but it’s hard to say when it will be reversed.”

Rodrigues said in July that the company had been diversifying its production geographically since before Trump’s first term, allowing it to reorganize its export routes. He explained that part of its Mexican and Indian production would cover demand in the U.S. market, while Brazil will serve other markets.

“We can reallocate our export losses. We can use Brazil to meet demand from Mexico and India and use production from these countries to serve the American market. It is an execution that can take a few months and, after all this change, we hope that we can mitigate most of these impacts,” he said.

The Brazilian company already has a plant in Atotonilco de Tula, Hidalgo. In January, it opened a new facility that spans 640,000 square meters, aimed at increasing its production capacity. This expansion involved an investment of over US $40 million.

WEG arrived in Mexico in 2000 as part of its international expansion strategy in Latin America. Over the years, the company has expanded its presence with five manufacturing units: two in Huehuetoca (motors and transformers), one in Tizayuca (power transformers), and two in Atotonilco de Tula, Hidalgo, dedicated to electric motors, industrial coatings and automation.

To date, the company has over 1.2 million square meters of surface area in Mexico, employing around 4,000 employees.

With reports from Solili, Somos Industria and Bloomberg.

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Your gut’s secret code: How everyday carbs reprogram your body’s defenses

by Ava Grace

  • The function of gut bacteria is not permanently “good” or “bad.” Instead, their behavior is fluid and can be reprogrammed by the specific types of carbohydrates they are fed, switching between anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory states.
  • Each carbohydrate source acts as a unique signal or instruction to the gut microbiome. The research highlights that food is not just energy, but a form of information that directly influences immune function and inflammation levels.
  • The consumption of refined sugars, like those in soft drinks, was found to rapidly reprogram common gut bacteria (like theta) to compromise the gut’s protective barrier and weaken immune defenses, often within a few weeks.
  • This discovery explains why a universally “healthy” diet can have different effects on different people. The variable is the dynamic behavior of an individual’s unique gut bacteria, which is continuously shaped by their personal food choices.
  • Individuals can actively guide their microbiome toward better health by consuming a diverse range of whole-food carbohydrates and paying attention to their body’s responses, making dietary choices a tool for microbial management.

Groundbreaking research has uncovered that the trillions of bacteria residing in the human gut are not static actors but dynamic entities that can be fundamentally reprogrammed by the carbohydrates we consume.

This discovery, emerging from sophisticated laboratory and human studies, demonstrates that the same beneficial bacteria can switch between being allies or adversaries to your immune system based solely on their dietary fuel. The findings provide a revolutionary new framework for understanding personalized nutrition, suggesting that every meal sends specific instructions to the body’s microbial inhabitants, with direct consequences for inflammation, immunity and long-term health.

For decades, the public health conversation around gut health has been simplistic, categorizing bacteria as either “good” or “bad.” This new research, however, reveals a far more complex reality. The focus has shifted from merely which bacteria are present to how they are behaving at any given moment. The study indicates that beneficial bacteria possess what can be described as multiple personalities. Their genetic programming is fluid, allowing them to alter their function and their relationship with the human immune system in response to different environmental cues, primarily the types of carbohydrates passing through the digestive tract.

The master manipulator: B. theta

The research zeroed in on a common gut bacterium called Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, often simply called B. theta. This microbe is a workhorse in the human gut, playing a critical role in breaking down complex foods. Researchers sought to understand why individuals with similar gut bacteria compositions could have vastly different immune responses. The answer lay not in the presence of B. theta itself, but in its operational state. The bacterium was found to literally flip internal genetic switches, a process known as phase variation, which changes the proteins it produces and, consequently, how it communicates with its human host.

To map this relationship, researchers analyzed dietary and gut sample data from human populations, observed the effects of sugar water on mice, and conducted extensive lab experiments growing B. theta with 190 different carbohydrates. This comprehensive methodology revealed that each carbohydrate source acted as a unique signal. Some carbs triggered B. theta to produce beneficial, anti-inflammatory compounds that support gut lining health and calm the immune system. Others prompted the same bacterium to generate molecules that drive inflammation, a root cause of numerous chronic diseases.

The findings offer a stark warning about the impact of refined sugars. In both human and mouse studies, the consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks was directly linked to a reprogramming of B. theta. This sugar-induced state compromised the gut’s protective barrier, effectively poking holes in the body’s first line of defense. It also led to weaker immune defenses, including lower levels of infection-fighting cells and a reduced capacity for gut tissue repair. Critically, these detrimental shifts were observed to begin within a few weeks, demonstrating the rapid and potent influence of diet on our internal ecosystem.

A historical shift in understanding

This discovery marks a significant evolution in nutritional science. Historically, dietary advice has been largely one-size-fits-all, based on broad population studies. The new research explains the frustratingly common experience where a universally recommended “healthy” diet works miracles for one person but fails for another. The variable is not just the individual’s unique microbiome composition, but the dynamic, ever-changing behavior of the bacteria within it, which is continuously shaped by personal food choices.

“One diet is not good for all,” said BrightU.AI‘s Enoch. “The concept of a ‘whole-diet plan’ focuses on overall eating patterns and nutritional quality throughout the day, which can be adapted to individual needs. This approach acknowledges that factors like age, activity level and health status mean a single, rigid diet cannot work for everyone.”

The most empowering aspect of this research is its implication that these bacterial changes are not a life sentence. The gut microbiome is highly dynamic and can shift its behavior quickly in response to dietary adjustments. This means individuals are not powerless against their current gut state. By strategically choosing carbohydrates, one can actively guide their microbial population toward more beneficial, anti-inflammatory behaviors without needing to adopt extreme or unsustainable diets.

So, what does this mean for the average person seeking better health? The key is diversity and mindfulness. Rotating carbohydrate sources weekly—switching between sweet potatoes, quinoa, oats and a variety of fruits—exposes gut bacteria to a wide array of nutrients, preventing them from settling into a monotonous, potentially problematic routine. It is also crucial to become a detective of one’s own body, paying close attention to energy levels, mood and digestion after consuming different carbs to identify personal triggers and boosters.

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California’s Prop. 50 sparks debate over control of political maps

California’s Prop. 50 sparks debate over control of political maps-- Un cartel de "No a la Proposición 50" en el stand del Partido Republicano del Condado de Kern en la Feria del Condado de Kern en Bakersfield el 26 de septiembre de 2025.

Measure would return redistricting power to politicians, not voters

by the El Reportero staff

California voters are again being asked to decide who should control the state’s political maps — the public or the politicians. Proposition 50 on the November ballot would temporarily suspend the state’s independent redistricting commission and allow the governor and legislature to redraw legislative boundaries for the next decade.

Supporters, led by Governor Gavin Newsom and top Democratic officials, argue the change is necessary to protect California’s political influence after a series of Republican-led redistricting moves in states like Texas and Florida. They claim those states used partisan gerrymandering to entrench conservative power, unfairly limiting the representation of Democratic voters in Congress.

“California shouldn’t fight with one hand tied behind its back,” said Lorena Gonzalez, chair of the California Democratic Party. “When other states manipulate their maps, we lose seats even though our population grows.”

But critics say Proposition 50 dismantles hard-won reforms approved by voters more than a decade ago. In 2008 and 2010, Californians created the Citizens Redistricting Commission to take this authority away from politicians. The commission, made up of regular citizens from diverse political backgrounds, was designed to ensure fair and transparent mapmaking.

“This proposition is a power grab, plain and simple,” said Jessica Millan Patterson, chair of the California Republican Party. “Voters decided politicians shouldn’t draw their own districts — now those same politicians are trying to undo that.”

Under current law, the independent commission draws the boundaries for state legislative, congressional, and Board of Equalization districts. Proposition 50 would suspend that process until 2035, giving the legislature and governor direct authority to create maps. Supporters describe it as a “temporary measure” to counter Republican gerrymandering elsewhere, but opponents warn it sets a dangerous precedent.

“This is not about fairness — it’s about control,” said Dan Schnur, a political analyst and former campaign ethics advisor. “Once you let politicians decide where their voters live, it’s nearly impossible to take that power back.”

Analysts note that the commission system has generally received high marks from political experts for transparency and public participation. It holds open hearings, releases draft maps for comment, and is prohibited from favoring any party or incumbent. By contrast, a legislature-driven process would allow lawmakers to draw lines behind closed doors, potentially shaping districts to protect incumbents or weaken the opposition.

Financial disclosures show that the “Yes on 50” campaign is backed largely by the California Democratic Party, public employee unions, and groups aligned with the governor. The “No on 50” side is funded mostly by good-government organizations and individual donors, including some moderate Republicans and independents.

Opponents say the measure threatens the integrity of California’s election system and undermines the independent model that many other states have since adopted. “California led the way in taking politics out of redistricting,” said Kathay Feng, who helped draft the original reform initiative. “If we reverse that, we’re telling voters their decision doesn’t matter.”

Supporters counter that the state cannot afford to remain passive while others redraw maps for partisan advantage. “We’re not dismantling democracy — we’re protecting it,” said Gonzalez. “Until Congress acts to ensure fairness nationwide, California has to look out for itself.”

Voters remain divided. A recent Public Policy Institute of California poll found 46 percent in favor of Proposition 50, 43 percent opposed, and 11 percent undecided. Analysts predict turnout could hinge on how well each side communicates the measure’s long-term consequences.

For many voters, the choice may come down to trust — in elected officials or in independent citizens. The outcome will determine whether California continues as a model for impartial redistricting or joins the ranks of states where politicians once again hold the mapmaking pen.

With reports by Maya C. Miller and Jeanne Kuang.

– This is a short version of the original article. You can read the full version by visiting: www.elreporteroSF.com.

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Quiet strength at the top: Dan Perea takes the helm as San Mateo County Sheriff amid turmoil

Former Sheriff Christina Corpus and acting Sheriff Dan Perea. /YouTube video -- Ex alguacil Christina Corpus y alguacil interino Dan Perea.

After the county’s first Latina sheriff is ousted, a Latino veteran steps in to restore order

by the El Reportero‘s staff

When Dan Perea stepped into the leadership role of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office following the removal of Christina Corpus, it marked a pivotal moment for one of the Bay Area’s most scrutinized law enforcement agencies. Perea, a respected veteran of regional policing, is known not for showmanship but for discipline, structure, and quiet competence — qualities that could prove critical as the department faces one of its most turbulent transitions in recent memory.

A 34-year law enforcement professional, Perea began his career in 1991 with the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), where he steadily rose through the ranks. As commanding officer of the Mission District Station — one of the city’s busiest precincts — he earned praise for improving officer morale and strengthening neighborhood ties. Later, as Deputy Chief (second in command) at SFPD, he oversaw operations, training, and organizational reforms. Those years gave him a broad view of how to manage a large agency — from street-level realities to executive oversight.

In July 2024, Perea joined the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office as Undersheriff, the department’s second-highest post. His appointment came just over a year after Corpus took office as the county’s first female and first Latina sheriff. But by October 2025, her tenure had unraveled amid allegations of misconduct and abuse of power. On October 14, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to remove her, effective immediately, under Government Code Section 24105. Perea automatically assumed command as acting sheriff.

“The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office wishes to assure our communities that public-safety service remains constant and uninterrupted,” Perea said shortly after taking the reins. “Our incredible Deputies, Correctional Officers, and Professional Staff are committed to keeping our communities safe.”

Those remarks reflected both his style and priorities: continuity, morale, and public trust.

A Department in Transition

Corpus’ removal followed a two-week hearing and investigation that found multiple violations of county and state law. According to court documents, retired Superior Court Judge James Emerson determined that Corpus violated conflict-of-interest rules, retaliated against a deputy union president and a captain, and ordered an arrest without probable cause.

Her attempt to block the process through a court petition was denied last week by Judge Nina Shapirshteyn, who ruled that maintaining the removal order “serves the public interest in accountable and stable law enforcement leadership.”

“The judge’s decision confirms the process was fair, transparent and followed as voters intended,” said Supervisor Ray Mueller, who has led calls to restore stability.

With the legal path now cleared, the Board of Supervisors has begun selecting a new sheriff. The county charter requires either an appointment or special election by November 13, 2025.

The Appointment Process

In a special session Tuesday night, the Board voted 3–2 to instruct county staff to develop a transparent, community-based appointment process emphasizing accountability and trust. Vice President Noelia Corzo joined Supervisors Mueller and Lisa Gauthier in favor, while Board President David Canepa and Jackie Speier dissented, favoring an election.

The Board called for clear procedures, including public forums, candidate interviews, and supplemental questions to gauge leadership style, priorities, and strategies for restoring confidence. Applicants must live in San Mateo County and hold a valid POST certificate, as required by California law.

County staff are expected to launch a multilingual website outlining qualifications, the application timeline, and opportunities for public comment. The Board also plans to host a candidate forum and a public meeting to interview finalists.

“The community deserves a transparent process that reflects our values and restores trust,” said Supervisor Corzo.

Perea’s Path Forward

While the Board determines whether to appoint a new sheriff or call an election, Perea continues to serve as acting sheriff. His leadership has provided a sense of calm and structure after months of turmoil.

Colleagues describe him as a patient listener and detail-oriented administrator with a strong commitment to mentorship. His supporters believe those qualities could rebuild morale and improve training standards.

“Dan’s leadership brings balance and focus,” said one senior deputy who worked with him at SFPD. “He understands both the operational and human sides of this job.”

Should Perea be appointed or later run for election, he would be among the few Latinos ever to lead a major Bay Area law enforcement agency — notably in San Mateo County, now with a Latino majority population. For many residents, that symbolizes both representation and responsibility.

For now, his focus remains on stabilizing the department. His immediate priorities include ensuring smooth operations, strengthening communication with community organizations, and reaffirming professional standards among the ranks.

A Quiet but Steady Hand

Perea’s approach is not one of fanfare but of methodical rebuilding. In a department facing public skepticism, leadership fatigue, and morale challenges, his steadiness may be exactly what is needed.

As one county staffer put it, “He’s not the kind of leader who makes headlines — he’s the kind who fixes what’s broken.”

With the court’s decision affirming the board’s authority and the appointment process underway, San Mateo County appears ready to turn a page. Whether Perea remains in the top role or hands it off to a new appointee, his presence has already helped steady the ship.

In times of disruption, quiet leadership often makes the loudest difference — and in San Mateo County, Dan Perea’s quiet strength may be just what the moment demands.

– With news reports.

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Every home has someone who has passed

by Marvin Ramírez

As October draws to a close, San Francisco comes alive with altars in cultural and art spaces, where people create small shrines in memory of loved ones. Some neighborhoods host processions, and special places like El Corazón del Pueblo in Oakland offer handmade crafts while honoring the deceased. This tradition stretches from Mexico to Nicaragua and across Central America—the Day of the Dead.

Here in San Francisco, on October 31, we stand at the threshold of this sacred holiday. It is a time to remember those who have passed, to reflect, and to celebrate lives that shaped ours. For me, it is a moment to honor the woman who raised me—Doña Juana Calero Espinoza, the mother of my father, José Santos Ramírez Calero, a journalist known for his integrity. I also think of my father, resting here in Colma. For all who have lost someone, this is a time to pause, offer a moment of silence, a prayer, a reflection.

In the Hispanic world, the Day of the Dead binds us together. Language, culture, and heritage connect us, reminding us that our histories shape who we are. Just as Spanish unites us across generations, remembering those who have passed reminds us that our roots and traditions give depth and meaning to our lives.

This holiday also celebrates resilience. Even in loss, we honor the lives of those who shaped us by carrying forward their values. My father devoted himself to journalism with truth and ethics, principles that continue to inspire me. The lessons we inherit from those before us inform our actions, priorities, and our communities.

Day of the Dead traditions—altars, stories, offerings—remind us that grief and celebration coexist. Families connect, stories are passed down, and children learn about ancestors and their sacrifices. The ritual of remembrance, whether in San Francisco, Mexico City, or Managua, is a unifying practice that transcends distance and time.

As we observe these traditions, we are also reminded of our lives in the United States. Many of us carry the weight of striving for the American dream while honoring those who paved the way. The Day of the Dead integrates personal and collective histories with our pursuit of stability, health, and progress. It is a moment to reflect on past sacrifices and to strengthen communities.

This observance invites empathy. Remembering the dead cultivates compassion for those grieving, recognizing that loss is universal. It encourages support, values relationships, and highlights the fragility and beauty of life. In remembering our loved ones, we affirm bonds that tie us as neighbors, friends, and community members.

Every home has someone who has passed. Families carry stories, memories, and lessons that deserve recognition. The Day of the Dead celebrates these lives, acknowledging the influence of those we have loved and lost. It is a moment to pause, reflect, and give thanks for our shared heritage and for the opportunity to build our lives with purpose.

These traditions remind us that while death separates us physically, memory and love maintain connections across time. They teach us to honor the past, cherish the present, and approach the future with gratitude and hope. As families across the Bay Area set up altars, light candles, and share stories, they are commemorating the dead and nurturing a living culture that inspires, connects, and strengthens us all.

In every home, in every heart, those who came before us continue to shape the lives we lead today. This October, as we enter the Day of the Dead, let us remember, celebrate, and honor those lives, ensuring their legacies endure and guide us forward.

 

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The 17th San Francisco latino film festival kicks off

by Magdy Zara

The Latino film festival in San Francisco kicked off on October 23rd. This year, 54 films from 12 countries will be screened over 12 days.

During these days, both Latin American and American independent films will be showcased, with emerging artists and established masters.

The festival will be held in several venues, with screenings spread across several spaces, including the Roxie Theatre, Artists’ Television Access, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA), Apple Cinemas, and the Ninth Street Independent Film Center.

For this Saturday, October 25th, the lineup is as follows: Amantes en el cielo (Amors in the Sky), at 1 p.m., at the Roxie Theatre; and the short films: Barrio (Neighborhood), Vida Útil (Useful Life), Resonancia (Resonance), Tendencias (Tendencias), Cuatro Ojos (Four Eyes), and El luto de (The Mourning of); they can be seen through Artists’ Television Access at 2 p.m.

This 17th Latino Film Festival began on October 23rd and runs through November 6th.

Palo Alto Commemorates the Day of the Dead

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience an unforgettable day filled with artistic activities for children, vibrant colors, traditional music, delicious food, and captivating performances during the Day of the Dead celebration at Bloomhouse.

Experience the richness of Mexican culture and traditions while we joyfully honor our ancestors in a festive, family-friendly atmosphere, where you can make your offerings.

The event is this Saturday, October 25th, starting at 1 PM, at Bloomhouse, 2555 Pulgas Avenue, East Palo Alto. Admission is completely free.

 

5K for Fair Trade

The Fair Trade 5K is part of an ongoing campaign to urge Congress to revise the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to strengthen labor protections, especially workers’ right to organize a union.

You can join the group and rally behind NO Exploitation, labor rights for all, including human rights, independence from poverty, and fair trade.

Living Wage is a grassroots movement of low-wage workers and their allies fighting for economic justice.

You are invited to walk or run for fair trade, and the race will conclude with a barbecue, speakers, and yoga.

This event will take place on November 15th, starting at 1 PM, at Lake Merced in San Francisco. It will begin in the parking lot at Sunset and Lake Merced Blvd and end in Harding Park on Skyline Blvd.

For more information, contact the San Francisco Living Wage Coalition at (415) 863-1225 or sflivingwage@riseup.net

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Nonprofits step in as schools struggle to hire arts teachers despite Prop. 28 funds

Community nonprofits such as P.S. ARTS train working artists to provide programming in K-12 public schools in California. (Elaine Lee/P.S. ARTS) -- Organizaciones comunitarias sin fines de lucro como P.S. ARTS capacitan a artistas en activo para ofrecer programas en escuelas públicas de K-12 en California.

by Suzanne Potter

California News Services

The ongoing teacher shortage continues to affect California schools, particularly in the arts, where many districts are struggling to hire qualified instructors even though new state funding is available through Proposition 28. As a result, community-based nonprofits are stepping in to ensure students still have access to arts education.

Approved by voters in 2022, Proposition 28 dedicates roughly $1 billion annually to arts and music education across the state, with the goal of hiring more teachers in dance, media arts, music, theater, and visual arts. Schools can also allocate up to 20% of those funds to supplemental programs provided by community arts organizations.

Elda Pineda, deputy director of the nonprofit P.S. ARTS—which currently serves more than 33,000 students at 102 schools throughout southern and central California—said the funding is crucial but noted that the lack of credentialed arts teachers remains a serious challenge.

“Not having the amount of credentialed teachers needed to take these jobs is an obstacle,” Pineda explained. “But there are ways to think outside of the box in order to get teachers into the schools so kids can get arts programming right away.”

To bridge the gap, schools may apply for waivers if they cannot find a credentialed arts teacher. Organizations like P.S. ARTS train working artists—many of them professionals in their fields—to deliver in-class instruction during the school day or to lead after-school arts programs. The nonprofit also uses grants and partnerships to help subsidize these services in under-resourced districts, ensuring equitable access for all students.

Gilda Davidian, associate director of communications for P.S. ARTS, emphasized that in-person arts education plays an essential role in combating the social isolation many students experience today.

“It’s not just training in drawing or theater,” Davidian said. “This is about learning through all kinds of creative processes, connecting with others, and developing the confidence to express yourself.”

As California works to rebuild its arts education workforce, community partnerships like these are proving vital to keeping creativity alive in classrooms across the state.

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New California law expands internet freedom for renters

Monkeybrains, the local internet provider, the great beneficiary

by El Reportero Staff

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 1414, giving California renters the right to choose their own internet provider — a move expected to help thousands of San Francisco residents stuck with costly, landlord-controlled internet plans.

Starting January 1, 2026, landlords will no longer be able to force tenants to pay for “bulk billing” internet services bundled into leases. Tenants who don’t want those subscriptions can opt out and, if charged anyway, are legally allowed to deduct the amount from their rent.

“This is about freedom of choice and fair competition,” said Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Tracy), who authored the bill. “For too long, renters have paid for services they didn’t choose, often at higher prices.”

San Francisco-based internet provider Monkeybrains, which helped advocate for the bill, praised the new law. “This will liberate renters and promote competition,” said company spokesperson Alex Menendez. “Tenants should decide who connects them — not their landlords.”

Local renters say the law could mean better service and lower costs. “It’s not fair to be forced to pay for slow, unreliable Wi-Fi,” said Maria Ortiz, a Mission District tenant.

Here at El Reportero, we’ve been with Monkeybrains for nearly two decades, and the difference is clear. “They don’t play pricing games,” said El Reportero publisher Marvin Ramírez. “While other providers raise rates after six or twelve months, we’ve paid the same $35 a month since the start.”

Monkeybrains plans to offer free information sessions for tenants and property managers to explain their new rights and how to access fair, independent internet options.

With AB 1414 now law, San Franciscans will soon enjoy true internet freedom — the right to connect on their own terms.

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Immigrant resistance movement forged in California prisons persists decades later

Detainees at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego on May 18, 2018. Photo by Lucy Nicholson, Reuters - via CalMatters

This story is part of California Voices, a commentary forum aiming to broaden our understanding of the state and spotlight Californians directly impacted by policy or its absence

by Jessica Ordaz

October 16, 2025 – I keep thinking about José René Flores, a Los Angeles resident incarcerated at a Southern California migrant detention facility in the 1980s. The El Centro Immigration Detention Facility, where immigration agents sent Flores, has a long and deep history of brutality.

But Flores’ story is not just one of violence and violation. It is also a story of protest and solidarity — reflective of a larger lineage of resistance from inside detention, including the people the Trump administration is currently working to silence and disappear. They’ve risked their “rightless” lives with the hope that the world might learn about the inhumane conditions behind detention walls, and that they might be free.

Flores migrated to the United States from El Salvador in 1980, after being attacked by members of his homeland’s National Guard, a paramilitary organization known for committing atrocities during the Salvadoran Civil War. As a teenager, he was targeted for his involvement in a factory trade union and for participating in the revolutionary organization Frente de Acción Popular Unificada.

“There was terrible repression in El Salvador,” Flores told me when I interviewed him several years ago. “I was criminalized for having long hair and black glasses. Just looking different and being young meant you were a criminal, marijuanero, guerillero and a drug addict.”

When Flores arrived in Los Angeles, he was apprehended by Immigration and Naturalization Service officials, who transported him to El Centro, because he chose to apply for political asylum. The detention center, located in California’s Imperial Valley, was built to incarcerate unauthorized Mexican men and those convicted of deportable crimes in 1945. By the time Flores got there, it had evolved from a small camp into a large-scale facility with a deep history of labor exploitation, physical abuse and surveillance.

INS officials forced Flores and his fellow detained migrants to work as low-paid and sometimes unpaid laborers, limited their access to low-nutrient food and medical care, and oversaw a climate of physical and psychological intimidation.

Flores and a few other Salvadoran migrants decided to fight back. All of us felt the same, said Flores: “Offended. Mistreated. We wanted to tell each other not to be sad. That we were all in this together.”

In 1981, they began a 15-day hunger strike. Their refusal to eat and the use of their bodies to protest called out the violence of the state, making the public aware of the punitive nature of detention.

Due to the protest and the efforts of the immigrant aid group Concilio Manzo, the INS released Flores from the facility that same year.

Soon after, in 1985, a much larger hunger strike at El Centro made international news. Fifteen migrants from around the world organized an eight-day hunger strike. Between 175 and 300 incarcerated men participated, demanding that their grievances be heard.

While official INS accounts asserted that the detention center functioned simply as an administrative holding site where people waited for their deportation hearings, the stories the strikers shared with lawyers and the media framed the detention center as a site of punishment.

The protestors also publicized an important factor missing from the INS narrative: why many Central Americans had migrated to the U.S. in the first place. A number of the protestors came because they had been persecuted in their home countries for fighting back against repressive Latin American regimes funded by U.S. tax dollars.

The 1985 strike resulted in further repression from INS officers. But it also helped shift the narrative around detention in the public eye, even as the U.S. continued to incarcerate immigrants and asylum seekers at sites such as the Krome Service Processing Center in Florida, the Port Isabel Detention Center in Texas, and Guantanamo Bay in Cuba under both Democratic and Republican administrations.

Acts of protest from people behind detention walls have never stopped. In the coming decades, migrants have demanded that lawyers and immigrant rights organizations hear and document their stories, filed class action lawsuits, and staged acts of defiance, like refusing to eat or work to challenge the cruelty of the state.

Dissent continues under “Trump’s Reign of Terror.” At the end of September, for instance, 19 incarcerated migrants commenced a hunger strike inside Louisiana’s Angola prison, Camp J, calling for basic standards of care, such as prescription medication, toilet paper and clean water.

Such acts of resistance and refusal from the inside show that, despite carceral efforts to control, isolate, and strip migrants of their humanity, people will continue to find ways to fight back.

This commentary was adapted from an essay produced for Zócalo Public Square.

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Citizenship should welcome, not intimidate

Immigrants take the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony in September in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images) -- Inmigrantes prestan el juramento de lealtad durante una ceremonia de naturalización en septiembre en Jersey City, Nueva Jersey.
Marvin Ramírez, editor

by Marvin Ramírez

For decades, the United States has been a beacon for millions who dreamed of becoming citizens, not just residents. The promise of belonging to a nation built on freedom, democracy, and equality inspired countless immigrants to learn English, study civics, and contribute to their communities. But now, that dream is becoming harder to reach. The government’s new 2025 Naturalization Civics Test adds new layers of difficulty and suspicion, transforming what should be an empowering process into a stressful test of distrust.

In the past, the citizenship test was challenging but fair. Applicants had to study a list of civics questions, learn about the Constitution, and understand how the government works. For many, it was an emotional journey—an act of gratitude and commitment to the United States. But today, with the new set of rules and questions, the process feels less like an invitation to belong and more like an interrogation. The test implies that applicants might have double intentions or hidden motives for wanting to become Americans.

This change is not only unfair—it’s un-American. The foundation of this country was built by immigrants, and every generation has renewed that promise. To suggest that those seeking citizenship must now prove they are trustworthy enough to deserve it is to deny the very spirit of inclusion that defines the nation. People already felt anxious about passing a test in a second language. Now they are being asked questions that go beyond knowledge—questions that reflect a growing mistrust between the government and the people who wish to join it.

Experts have warned that these new measures could make passage more difficult, especially since the government has reduced funding for English and civics education. This means that many hard-working immigrants—who pay taxes, raise families, and contribute to the economy—will face an even greater barrier. The test’s complexity, combined with moral character assessments and neighborhood checks, sends a troubling message: that not everyone who wants to become an American deserves to.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has described these changes as necessary to ensure that only those who “fully embrace American values” can naturalize. But what does that really mean? For generations, immigrants have demonstrated those values through action—by working hard, obeying the law, and enriching the cultural and economic life of this country. A fair test should measure knowledge of civics, not moral worth or political alignment.

Behind the new test lies a deeper issue: the erosion of trust. When officials suggest that applicants may not have “good intentions,” they are questioning the integrity of millions of lawful residents who already live, work, and serve under U.S. laws. This undermines confidence in the system and fosters fear, especially among green card holders who worry that one mistake could lead to losing their path to citizenship—or even deportation.

Those who seek citizenship should not be blamed or distrusted from the beginning. They should be encouraged, protected, and respected. The United States needs immigrants who believe in this country and want to participate fully in its future. Making the process harder only discourages people from taking that final step, leaving them in a permanent state of insecurity.

Becoming a citizen should mean gaining protection, not exposure to new risks. It should mean being able to live without fear of expulsion, to vote, to serve on juries, and to claim a place in the American story. Every oath of allegiance taken by a new citizen strengthens this nation’s foundation. When the government creates obstacles that make immigrants feel unwelcome, it weakens that bond.

America’s greatness has always come from its ability to include, not exclude. If the government truly wants to ensure that new citizens “embrace American values,” then it should begin by practicing them—fairness, compassion, and opportunity. The path to citizenship should not be a test of fear, but a celebration of belonging. Immigrants are not the problem. They are the promise that keeps America alive.

 

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