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When preaching becomes a “threat”: Turkey and religious freedom in Europe’s crosshairs

by the El Reportero staff

There are political decisions that, even when presented as acts of “national security,” end up revealing something deeper: power’s fear of difference. The recent resolution adopted by the European Parliament condemning Turkey for expelling Christian missionaries under opaque national security pretexts is not merely a diplomatic statement; it is a wake-up call about the direction taken by a country that sits at the crossroads of East and West, is a NATO member, and claims—at least rhetorically—to aspire to European human rights standards.

That 502 Members of the European Parliament from across the political spectrum voted in favor of the resolution speaks volumes. This is not an ideological maneuver or a religious crusade from Brussels. It is, rather, an acknowledgment that expelling people because of their faith—without public evidence, without due process, and without clear avenues for appeal—is incompatible with the basic principles of religious freedom and the rule of law that Turkey claims to uphold in its Constitution and in the international treaties it has signed.

The remarks by Dutch MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen capture the paradox at the heart of the issue: preaching a message of peace and reconciliation can turn someone into a “national security threat.” Taken to its logical extreme, that reasoning empties the very concept of security of meaning. When anything that makes those in power uncomfortable is labeled a risk, the line between legitimate state protection and the repression of fundamental freedoms becomes dangerously blurred.

The figures documented by ADF International are telling: at least 160 foreign Christian workers and their families have been expelled from Turkey or denied re-entry in recent years. These are not isolated incidents or bureaucratic mistakes. Many of those affected had lived in Turkey for decades, built families, and contributed to local communities. Suddenly, they found the door slammed shut without a concrete explanation. There are no public charges, no transparent proceedings, no real opportunity to defend oneself—only a bureaucratic stamp: “national security risk.”

This pattern cannot be understood outside the political climate that followed the failed coup attempt of 2016. Since then, the Turkish government has dramatically expanded the use of anti-terror and internal security laws. Under that umbrella, critics say, authorities have pursued opposition figures, journalists, academics, and civil society organizations. In such an environment, religious minorities—already vulnerable in a predominantly Muslim society—are exposed to arbitrary decisions that rarely face serious domestic scrutiny.

What is troubling is not that a state seeks to protect its security. Every country has that right and responsibility. What is alarming is when “security” becomes a catch-all label to silence inconvenient voices or expel those who do not fit the dominant narrative. Today it is Christian missionaries; tomorrow it could be activists, human rights defenders, or any group perceived as “other” or “suspicious.”

Ankara’s response—dismissing the resolution as “baseless” and insisting that no foreign institution has the right to interfere in its judicial processes—is predictable, but insufficient. National sovereignty is not a blank check to ignore international commitments. Turkey is a member of the Council of Europe and subject to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights. The fact that at least 20 related cases are currently before that court suggests this is not a misunderstanding, but a practice that violates rights enshrined in conventions Turkey itself has accepted.

It is true that the European Parliament’s resolution is not legally binding. It does not force Turkey to change course overnight. But resolutions help shape the political climate. They draw lines in the sand. They pave the way for diplomatic pressure, conditionality in cooperation agreements, and broader debates about the relationship between the European Union and Turkey. In a world increasingly cynical about the language of human rights, such gestures still matter.

Beyond the Turkish case, this episode raises an uncomfortable question for all of us: how fragile are our freedoms when the word “security” enters the conversation? The temptation to trade rights for order is not unique to any one country. We have seen it in consolidated democracies and authoritarian regimes alike. That is why defending religious freedom—whether or not we believe in the message others preach—is really about defending something broader: the right to exist without being criminalized for what one believes.

When preaching becomes a “threat,” the problem is not the preacher. The problem is a power that no longer tolerates diversity. And that is always the first symptom of something deeper: a state afraid of its own fragility.

– With reports by Andreas Wailzer from LifeSite.

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Arresting drug users is a start — but what about the buyers of stolen goods?

Marvin Ramírez, editor

by Marvin Ramírez

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie’s decision to authorize police to arrest people who use drugs in public and send them to RESET Centers instead of jail is a meaningful shift in policy. It recognizes what many frontline workers, families, and neighbors have been saying for years: addiction is a public health crisis, not just a criminal one. Giving people the option of treatment, detox and medical supervision instead of a jail cell is humane, practical and long overdue.

But if the city is serious about restoring safety and dignity to our neighborhoods, especially in places like 16th Street and Mission and 24th Street and Mission, this policy cannot stop with drug users alone. The deterioration we see every day in these plazas is not driven only by people consuming drugs. It is driven by an informal street economy built around stolen goods — and the buyers who keep that market alive.

Residents and merchants know the pattern well. The same individuals gather day after day, laying out cosmetics, detergent, toothpaste, liquor and packaged food stolen from nearby stores. Police patrol cars may sit in the plaza during the day, but once officers leave, the market reappears. The sellers change spots. The buyers come back. The cycle continues.

We talk endlessly about “retail theft rings” and “organized shoplifting,” but on the ground, what sustains this economy is not only the thief — it is the customer. Every person who buys stolen merchandise for a discount becomes part of the problem. Yet buyers of stolen goods are rarely targeted with the same urgency as drug users, dealers, or the unhoused. The message, intentional or not, is that buying stolen property is a minor offense, a harmless bargain hunt. It is not. It fuels theft, hurts small businesses, raises prices for honest customers, and keeps people trapped in cycles of crime and addiction.

If we can change the enforcement culture around public drug use, we can change it around fencing stolen goods. The law already makes it illegal to buy stolen property. The problem is not the lack of statutes; it is the lack of consistent enforcement. Buyers in known fencing hotspots should face immediate consequences, just as public drug users will now face arrest and referral to treatment. Without demand, the street market collapses.

There is also a practical, modern solution that the city should explore with major retailers. Most items sold at pharmacies and chain stores today carry barcodes or QR codes that indicate whether they have been scanned and paid for. Technology already exists to flag stolen merchandise. Retailers, in partnership with city agencies, could provide law enforcement with tools to verify items on the spot. If someone is selling or buying goods that clearly have not been purchased, police should be able to confiscate the merchandise immediately and issue citations or make arrests when appropriate. This is not about harassing people for being poor; it is about dismantling a criminal market that preys on both businesses and vulnerable individuals.

Just as important is the power of clear public messaging. The city posts signs warning against public drinking, drug use, and loitering. Why not post large, visible notices in known hotspots: “Buying stolen property is a crime and will be prosecuted”? Clear rules, clearly enforced, change behavior. When people know there are real consequences, many will think twice before participating.

The RESET Centers represent a compassionate attempt to interrupt the downward spiral of addiction. That same philosophy — interrupting destructive cycles — should be applied to the stolen-goods economy that corrodes our neighborhoods. Treatment for drug users is necessary. Accountability for buyers of stolen goods is just as essential. One without the other leaves the system half-repaired.

San Francisco does not have a single problem. It has interconnected ones. Addiction, theft, fencing, and neighborhood decay feed off each other. If we only pull one thread, the fabric continues to unravel. If we pull on both — treatment for users and real consequences for buyers — we finally have a chance to change the daily reality on our streets.

 

 

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Peru names new acting president

by the El Reportero‘s wire services

Peru’s Congress on Wednesday selected José María Balcázar to serve as acting president, placing him in charge of the country’s government until July 28, when the winner of the upcoming general elections is scheduled to take office. Balcázar replaces José Jerí, who had led the interim administration after the removal of former president Dina Boluarte last year.

Balcázar headed one of four slates competing for control of Congress’ leadership board, which also oversees the legislature through the end of its 2025–2026 term. His election gives him responsibility for guiding both the legislative agenda and the executive branch during the final months before Peru returns to the polls.

Jerí assumed the presidency in October 2025 following Congress’ decision to remove Boluarte from office. As Jerí was not an elected president, lawmakers removed him this week through a censure motion against the congressional leadership rather than through the constitutional vacancy process used in Boluarte’s case. The episode marks another leadership change in a country that has struggled with political instability for years.

With Balcázar’s appointment, Peru has now seen eight heads of state in less than a decade. Since 2016, when Ollanta Humala completed the term he began in 2011, no Peruvian president has finished a full mandate, a pattern that has fueled public frustration and weakened confidence in political institutions.

Government officials sought to minimize concerns about the transition. Ernesto Álvarez, the prime minister appointed during Jerí’s tenure, said Wednesday that the change in leadership should not be viewed as a crisis or a power struggle. He described it as an institutional process aimed at maintaining continuity of governance.

Álvarez said the outgoing administration would cooperate fully with Balcázar and called on political actors to prioritize stability in the months ahead. He emphasized the need to guide the state through the remainder of the transition period while building consensus to ensure that the upcoming general elections are conducted freely and impartially.

Peru is scheduled to hold the first round of general elections on April 12, with a runoff expected on June 7 if no candidate secures a majority. Until July 28, when the next elected president is sworn in, the caretaker administration will complete the remainder of the term originally won by Pedro Castillo in 2021, with Dina Boluarte serving at the time as vice president.

Balcázar had previously faced criticism from child rights groups for past statements supporting legal exceptions that would allow marriage at age 14.

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Everyday foods like strawberries and cilantro can disarm and eliminate heavy metals from the body

by Lance D Johnson

In a world where industrial byproducts linger in soil and trace metals drift through the air, detoxification has often been packaged by the wellness industry as expensive cleanses and miracle juices. Yet emerging nutritional science points to a simpler, food-first approach already sitting in the crisper drawer or spice cabinet. Research suggests that everyday plants and herbs can help the body counteract and eliminate toxic heavy metals such as lead, arsenic and mercury. This is not about drastic purges, but about using the protective biochemistry of common foods, turning daily meals into a quiet line of defense against environmental toxins.

Heavy metals are persistent elements in modern life. Lead, a potent neurotoxin, can leach from old plumbing or contaminated soil into water and food, harming childhood brain development. Arsenic, a known carcinogen, infiltrates the food chain, notably in rice and some fruit juices. Mercury bioaccumulates in the food web, concentrating in large predatory fish such as tuna and swordfish, threatening neurological health. Cadmium, a byproduct of industrial processes and battery production, builds up over time and stresses the kidneys. Aluminum, abundant in the earth’s crust, is amplified by mining and industrial activity and has been linked to neurological concerns. These metals generate oxidative stress, damage cells and DNA, and accumulate silently over a lifetime.

Historically, exposure was often occupational or acute, tied to specific trades. Today it is diffuse and environmental, making personal mitigation strategies more relevant. While sources of exposure can be limited, dietary choices offer a proactive layer of protection.

The body already has systems for processing toxins through the liver and kidneys. Certain foods support these pathways. Sulfur-rich vegetables such as garlic, onions, broccoli and Brussels sprouts contain compounds that bind to metals including cadmium, lead and mercury, helping shuttle them toward elimination. Garlic also protects the liver from metal-induced damage.

Leafy greens and herbs provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support. Beyond spinach and kale, cilantro has a growing research base suggesting it may help mobilize lead and mercury.

Turmeric’s curcumin is a powerful antioxidant; studies among populations exposed to arsenic found it helped repair DNA damage caused by the metal. However, consumers should be cautious with supplements. Public health warnings have noted some turmeric products, particularly from poorly regulated supply chains, have been adulterated with lead chromate to enhance color.

Fiber plays a direct role in detoxification. Soluble fibers such as pectin, found in apple skins, citrus peels and strawberries, can bind to heavy metals in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing absorption and promoting excretion. Modified citrus pectin has been shown to increase urinary excretion of arsenic, highlighting why whole fruits are more beneficial than juices, which lack fiber.

Strawberries provide a two-fold benefit through vitamin C and fiber. Vitamin C protects cells from oxidative damage, while the fiber binds metals during digestion. Laboratory simulations show natural insoluble fibers from fruits such as strawberries and apples can chelate mercury, trapping it in the gut and preventing absorption. Incorporating fibrous fruits into meals may reduce dietary exposure before metals enter circulation.

Other supportive foods include chlorella, a green algae thought to bind metals, and ginkgo biloba, whose antioxidants may counter lead-induced oxidative stress. Simple hydration with lemon water supports kidney function and adds vitamin C, which has been linked to reduced blood lead levels. Natural peanut butter contributes soluble fiber and selenium, a mineral that can counter mercury toxicity and support regular elimination.

The broader strategy is consistency, not extreme intervention. Adding herbs to salads, using garlic and onions as culinary staples, choosing leafy greens and whole fruits, and prioritizing fiber create daily, low-cost protection. These foods also benefit heart health and inflammation, making heavy-metal defense a side benefit of eating well. In a polluted world, the kitchen offers a practical place to reclaim agency—one meal at a time.

– Editor’s note: This article has been edited and shortened to fit print space.

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California jail death oversight office has yet to complete a single review a year after launch

Protestors hold signs to protest jail deaths in Riverside County, on Oct. 31, 2023. A state watchdog has yet to finish reviewing a jail death case, after a year. Photo by Jules Hotz for CalMatters. -- Manifestantes sostienen pancartas para protestar contra las muertes en prisión en el condado de Riverside, el 31 de octubre de 2023. Un organismo de control estatal aún no ha finalizado la revisión de un caso de muerte en prisión, después de un año.

by the El Reportero staff

Based on reporting and analysis by David Myers

Nearly a year after California launched a new statewide office to review deaths in county jails, the agency has not completed a single case review, raising questions about the effectiveness of a law that state leaders said would bring accountability and transparency to in-custody deaths.

The In-Custody Death Review Division was created under Senate Bill 519 (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB519), authored by then–state Sen. Toni Atkins (https://sd39.senate.ca.gov/) and signed into law in 2024. The legislation was promoted as a response to long-standing concerns that county sheriffs were effectively tasked with investigating deaths occurring in facilities they operate, a structure widely criticized by civil rights advocates and families of people who died in custody.

Under the law, the state office is authorized to collect records from county agencies, analyze deaths in local jails and issue recommendations aimed at preventing future fatalities. Supporters of SB 519 said the measure would introduce independent oversight and consistent statewide standards. However, according to information reviewed by El Reportero, the division has yet to finalize any reports since the law took effect.

Experts and former law enforcement officials say structural limits built into the legislation may help explain the lack of progress. The office can request records and propose changes, but it does not have authority to compel counties to turn over documents within set deadlines or to impose penalties if agencies delay or refuse to cooperate. As a result, reviews can stall when local departments are slow to provide information.

In several California counties, the sheriff also serves as the coroner, the official responsible for determining the cause and manner of death. That arrangement has drawn scrutiny because it places responsibility for jail operations and death determinations within the same office. While SB 519 acknowledged concerns about conflicts of interest, the law did not prohibit sheriffs from retaining both roles.

The California Attorney General’s Office (https://oag.ca.gov/), which is responsible for enforcing state law, has not announced any formal actions against counties that fail to meet the expectations outlined in SB 519. State officials have said the review division is still in the process of building staffing and procedures, but critics note that the lack of enforceable deadlines reduces pressure on local agencies to prioritize cooperation.

California has faced previous challenges with oversight of jail deaths. In San Diego County (https://www.sdsheriff.gov/), a local review body fell behind in its workload and ultimately dismissed numerous cases without completing substantive reviews, according to public records. Advocates warn that similar backlogs at the state level could lead to years-long delays in accountability.

Families of people who die in custody have repeatedly called for timely, independent investigations and public reporting of findings. Law enforcement unions and county officials, meanwhile, have argued that records requests can be complex and that agencies must balance transparency with privacy protections and ongoing investigations.

State lawmakers who supported SB 519 have said they remain committed to improving oversight and may consider adjustments if the current framework proves insufficient. Policy analysts note that potential changes could include enforceable timelines for document production, clearer limits on redactions and a defined escalation process when counties do not comply with requests from the state office.

For now, the absence of completed reviews underscores the gap between legislative intent and on-the-ground implementation. Whether California’s new oversight system can fulfill its promise will likely depend on whether state leaders strengthen the law’s enforcement mechanisms and provide the resources and authority needed to ensure that reviews move forward.

– David Myers is a former commander and 33-year veteran of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

 

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Sheinbaum urges U.S. to drop steel and aluminum tariffs after USTR hints

A reporter noted that U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer made remarks on Tuesday about the United States' steel and aluminum tariffs and asked the president what relevant information her government has. (Saúl López Escorcia/Presidencia). -- Sheinbaum pide a EE.UU. que retire los aranceles al acero y al aluminio tras insinuaciones de la USTR

by Peter Davies

Mexico News Daily

Among the topics discussed at President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Wednesday morning press conference were the corruption allegations detailed in a book by a former federal official and the United States’ tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Late in the mañanera, Sheinbaum encouraged more countries to send humanitarian aid to Cuba, a country currently plagued by severe fuel and food shortages.

Government not planning to investigate accusations made by AMLO-era legal advisor in new book 

A reporter noted that Julio Scherer Ibarra — who served as former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s top legal advisor between 2018 and 2021 — makes various allegations of corruption in his book “Ni venganza ni perdón.”

Scherer, a lawyer, writer and academic whose father founded the news magazine Proceso, levels accusations of corruption against various people who served in AMLO’s government, including the ex-president’s spokesman Jesús Ramírez, who is now Sheinbaum’s coordinator of advisors.

The aforesaid reporter asked Anti-Corruption and Good Governance Minister Raquel Buenrostro whether the ministry she leads should investigate Scherer’s accusations “de oficio” (ex officio), or on its own initiative.

“We always follow up on every complaint that comes in, always,” Buenrostro said.

“We receive anonymous complaints. Many complaints are made in newspapers — you say  ‘Hopefully the Anti-Corruption Ministry will look into this’ — and you give us details, names, official documents, places. When that information is available and considered relevant, we can initiate investigations on our own initiative,” she said.

“When there’s no [supporting] information, just someone’s word, it’s complicated. I mean, we have a finite number of people. So, when do we initiate investigations on our own initiative? Well, when there is enough evidence to know where to begin,” Buenrostro said.

The reporter pointed out that the accusations come from an official who worked in AMLO’s government and was “perhaps” a witness to the cases of corruption he describes in his book.

Sheinbaum interrupted to say that Scherer should present a formal complaint to authorities, as he did against former attorney general Alejandro Gertz Manero and other high-ranking law enforcement officials in 2022.

Buenrostro agreed with the president.

“He should file complaints because the narrative [in the book] is insufficient to begin an investigation,” she said.

“Whoever has proof should present a complaint, right?” Sheinbaum said. “I mean, anyone can do it.”

Removal of US metal tariffs ‘would be very good,’ Sheinbaum says after USTR remarks 

A reporter noted that U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer made remarks on Tuesday about the United States’ steel and aluminum tariffs and asked the president what relevant information her government has.

“We’ve been reading and something was mentioned to [Economy] Minister Ebrard. We still don’t have anything concrete,” Sheinbaum said.

In an interview with CNBC, Greer said that the United States’ steel exports have increased as a result of the implementation of tariffs, before noting that “there was some reporting over the weekend about adjustments there.”

“You may want to sometimes adjust the way some of the tariffs are applied for compliance purposes. I’m not giving you double-talk here. We’ve heard stories of companies that have had to hire extra people for compliance. We’re not trying to have people do so much bean counting that they’re not running their company correctly,” the trade representative said.

“The president’s tariffs on steel and aluminum have been very successful, shipping more steel than ever, opening up new steel lines, new aluminum smelters announced, so clearly those are going in the right direction and they’re going to stay in place,” Greer added.

Although Greer gave no clear indication that the United States would lower its 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum — including Mexican steel and aluminum — Sheinbaum said she hoped they would.

“It is something that we have been requesting,” she noted.

“The tariffs on steel and aluminum aren’t, let’s say, just on pure steel and aluminum,” Sheinbaum said, noting that the duties also apply to products derived from those metals.

“That causes a lot of problems,” she said.

Asked whether her government believes that adjustments to the steel and aluminum tariffs would in fact entail their elimination, Sheinbaum responded, “We’ll have to see, we’re going to wait.”

“Remember that [the tariff] is at 50%, it’s a very high tariff. So, that’s also having an impact in the United States. Many of these tariffs have a significant impact on Americans because they raise prices and increase inflation,” she added, contradicting remarks made by Greer on Tuesday.

“… We’re going to wait, and if that’s the case, it would be very good,” Sheinbaum said, referring to a possible (although seemingly unlikely) decision by the U.S. government to eliminate tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Sheinbaum: Hopefully more countries will send aid to Cuba 

After a reporter noted that Mexico has recently sent humanitarian aid to Cuba and that Spain has committed to doing the same, Sheinbaum said that “hopefully more countries will join” the efforts to support the Cuban people.

“We’re going to continue sending aid,” the president added.

Mexico, however, has suspended its shipments of oil to Cuba in order to avoid the imposition of additional tariffs on its exports to the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced in late January that the United States would impose additional tariffs on goods from countries that supply oil to the communist-run Caribbean island.

On Wednesday morning, Sheinbaum reiterated that Mexico has always shown solidarity with Cuba, and now “won’t be the exception.”

On Friday, she said her government was prepared to establish a “humanitarian aid air bridge” to transport to Cuba provisions brought to Mexico by other countries around the world.

On Wednesday, CNN reported that “Cuba may be experiencing the most profound moment of economic uncertainty that the island’s residents have endured in decades if not over their entire lives.”

“Through military action in Venezuela and threats of tariffs on Mexico, the Trump administration has shut off the flow of oil to Cuba, attempting to strong-arm the communist-run island into making significant political and economic reforms,” CNN wrote.

By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)

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Latino Arts Center at 2868 Mission to remain cultural space after seismic retrofit

by El Reportero’s news services

San Francisco officials have reaffirmed that the historic building at 2868 Mission Street — long home to Latino arts and cultural programming — will remain dedicated to that mission, even as the site prepares for a major seismic retrofit expected to begin in 2027.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a resolution this week committing the city to preserve the Mission District property as a Latino arts and culture center during and after the multi-year renovation. The four-story, 37,000-square-foot building, owned by the San Francisco Arts Commission, is expected to be closed for roughly three years while safety upgrades are completed.

District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder, who authored the resolution, said the measure is meant to ensure that the cultural purpose of the building is protected long-term, regardless of administrative changes during construction.

The resolution comes amid uncertainty surrounding the Mission Cultural Center for the Latino Arts (MCCLA), the nonprofit organization that has operated out of the building for decades. Founded in 1977, MCCLA recently declared bankruptcy and has been without staff since late January. City leaders stressed that the resolution is separate from the organization’s current financial challenges and focuses specifically on the future use of the public building.

Community advocates and cultural leaders urged city officials to move quickly to protect the site’s role in the neighborhood. Residents described the building as more than a venue, calling it a vital hub for murals, printmaking, dance, youth programs, and community organizing. During recent labor actions affecting San Francisco Unified School District schools, some community members said the space could serve as a safe place for students and families if reopened and stabilized.

Calle 24 Executive Director Susana Rojas, who is coordinating efforts to help stabilize and reimagine MCCLA, said hundreds of community members have already participated in discussions about the center’s future. Organizers are now exploring options for new fiscal sponsorship and long-term governance models, with additional community meetings planned in the coming weeks.

Mayor Daniel Lurie said in a statement that the city is working with artists, cultural workers, and neighborhood leaders to ensure the building continues to serve the Mission District’s Latino community. Supervisors from multiple districts co-sponsored the resolution, emphasizing that Latino cultural institutions have historically faced funding gaps compared to larger, more established arts organizations.

City leaders said the resolution is intended to make clear that the Mission Street site will not be repurposed and that preserving Latino cultural space in the neighborhood remains a city priority.

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SF offers options for this Valentine’s Day

Celebrating with dancing is a great plan for this weekend with La Internacional Sonora Dinamita. (https://www.recordnet.com) -- Celebrar bailando es un buen plan para este fin de semana con La Internacional Sonora Dinamita.

by Magdy Zara

Every February 14th, Valentine’s Day is celebrated, a perfect date to exchange gifts and share with that special someone.

A series of events have been scheduled for this weekend, ranging from family activities to concerts and dance parties with live music.

Enjoy Valentine’s Day with Momotombo, which presents a celebration with the original and former members of Malo and Santana, promising an unforgettable evening.

The event takes place this February 14th, starting at 7 p.m., at Sausalito Seahorse Supper Club, located at 305 Harbor Dr, Sausalito. The entrance fee is $25.00.

La Internacional Sonora Dinamita also offers an unforgettable night with the legends of cumbia, who will bring you rhythm, energy, and inexhaustible passion. The invitation is to share this day of love and friendship with your group of friends and enjoy the best live music.

This Latin party will be this Saturday, February 14th, at 8 p.m., at Vinnie’s Bar & Grill, located at 2045 Mt Diablo St, Concordia.

If you want to dance all night, don’t miss the “Dance of Love” featuring the orchestras: Alberto y la Diferencia and Roberto y su Orquesta N Rumba.

This is the first time both bands will perform together in full at the Hall of Fame, along with DJ Franklin. The venue is Roccapulco, 3140 Mission Street, SF, starting at 7 p.m.

The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra has also organized its “Music of the Heart” concert.

Live classical music will also be a highlight this Valentine’s Day, which you can share with the whole family. This performance is part of the San Francisco Symphony’s Music for Families concert series, designed to spark musical curiosity in children of all ages. It’s the perfect outing for Valentine’s Day. Recommended for children ages 5 to 12.

In addition to the concert, you’ll find an interactive instrument zoo and coloring area in the lobby.

The concert takes place this Saturday, February 14, at Davies Symphony Hall, located at 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco.

You can also enjoy Jazz on Valentine’s Day with four-time Grammy Award-winning bass virtuoso Stanley Clarke.

Clarke has become a living legend during his more than 50-year career as a bass virtuoso. He is the first bassist in history to play both acoustic and electric bass with equal ferocity, and the first jazz-fusion bassist to headline tours, selling out shows worldwide. He will be performing this February 15th at Yoshi’s, located at 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland, starting at 9 p.m)

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Immigration arrests surge by 1,500 percent in San Diego: ‘I feel the temperature rising’

Masked ICE agents line up outside immigration court hearings in San Diego on Aug. 5, 2025. Photo by Wendy Fry, CalMatters -- Agentes de ICE con máscaras hacen fila afuera de las audiencias del tribunal de inmigración en San Diego el 5 de agosto de 2025.

With immigration arrests increasing, San Diego is bracing for an even bigger crackdown

by Wendy Fry and Natasha Uzcátegui-Liggett

Immigration arrests in San Diego and Imperial counties surged nearly 1,500 percent between May and October compared with the same period a year earlier, according to federal data analyzed by CalMatters, raising fears among advocates that the region could face a larger enforcement crackdown in the months ahead.

More than 4,500 people were arrested for civil immigration violations during that six-month period in 2025, compared with fewer than 300 arrests during the same months in 2024. The region, which federal authorities classify as the San Diego area of responsibility, includes both coastal and inland communities. By September, arrests there had surpassed those in the much larger Los Angeles area, which drew national attention last summer for high-profile enforcement actions.

“I feel the temperature rising,” said Patrick Corrigan, a volunteer who monitors U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity at the federal courthouse in downtown San Diego.

While cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis have experienced visible enforcement operations, the escalation in San Diego has unfolded more quietly. Advocates say the steady rise in arrests has created a climate of fear in immigrant communities, even as the city has not yet seen a large, coordinated sweep resembling those in other regions.

In December, White House “border czar” Tom Homan visited the San Diego border alongside U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott and warned that more agents would be deployed nationwide. Homan criticized so-called sanctuary cities, including San Diego and Chula Vista, arguing that limits on cooperation with federal authorities would lead to more arrests in local communities.

“If you want to be a sanctuary city, you’re going to get exactly what you don’t want,” Homan said during the visit. “More agents in the community and more non-criminals arrested.”

Advocacy groups say that prediction is already playing out. Federal agents have made arrests at courthouses, immigration check-ins and in public spaces, including near schools and in parking lots of big-box stores. In recent months, community members have reported seeing agents detain day laborers and people attending routine appointments, deepening anxiety among families already wary of any contact with authorities.

Critics say courthouse arrests undermine due process by detaining people who are attempting to comply with immigration requirements. Legal advocates argue that fear of arrest discourages immigrants from attending hearings, accessing legal counsel or cooperating as witnesses in criminal cases, which can weaken public safety overall. They say the practice also strains already overburdened immigration courts, where backlogs stretch for months or years, leaving families in prolonged uncertainty about their legal status and ability to work, travel or reunite with relatives.

“They’re just putting numbers on the board,” said Andrea Guerrero, executive director of Alliance San Diego. “They’re doing so in a way that is not just irresponsible, but inhumane.”

Data obtained by the Deportation Data Project show that only about 25 percent of those arrested between May and mid-October had prior criminal convictions, down from more than 60 percent during the same period in the final year of the Biden administration. The figures reflect administrative arrests for civil immigration violations, not criminal charges, according to researchers who reviewed the data provided by ICE in response to public records requests.

At the federal courthouse, faith-based volunteers accompany immigrants to hearings and check-ins to provide reassurance. Milagros, a Venezuelan asylum-seeker who arrived legally through the CBP One appointment system in 2024, said she feared entering the building after her husband was detained.

“When they keep changing the policies, we don’t feel like we can walk around freely,” she said.

Outside official buildings, community patrols have emerged in neighborhoods such as Linda Vista and Barrio Logan, where volunteers warn residents of ICE activity. Groups use walkie-talkies and messaging apps to alert neighbors when they suspect agents are nearby, hoping to reduce the risk of surprise encounters and give families time to avoid the area.

“One of the constant questions we get is: ‘How long is this going to go on?’” said Adriana Jasso of Union del Barrio. “It breaks your heart, because nobody knows.”

Editor’s note: This article was edited and shortened to fit space.

 

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Bipartisan US delegation visits San Miguel to reinforce binational ties

The revival of the inter-parliamentary meeting was celebrated by San Miguel's mayor, who took the opportunity to request a revision of the current U.S. travel advisory for Guanajuato. (Facebook). -- La reactivación de la reunión interparlamentaria fue celebrada por el alcalde de San Miguel, quien aprovechó la ocasión para solicitar una revisión de la actual alerta de viaje de Estados Unidos para Guanajuato.

The city of San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, hosted a high-level meeting with members of the United States Congress, underscoring the city’s strategic role in the binational relationship between the two countries.

Spearheaded by Republican Congressman Michael McCaul, the U.S. delegation was composed of eight representatives from both parties who met with Guanajuato Governor Libia Denisse García Muñoz Ledo and Mayor of San Miguel Mauricio Trejo, among other officials.

The meeting addressed topics pertaining to institutional collaboration, political cooperation and the role of San Miguel de Allende as a space of trust and international connection thanks to its stability and cultural significance.

At a press event, Trejo recognized the governor’s work and the collaborative efforts between the state of Guanajuato and the municipality, emphasizing that coordination has been key to building trust and stability in the region.

He also noted that the local government functions on solid institutions and honest public servants, contributing to the city’s favorable conditions for tourism, investment and social coexistence.

“For governments to work, they have to be clean, free of infiltration, and with honest people; that’s the key to everything,” Trejo said.

San Miguel de Allende is one of the cities in Mexico with the largest number of foreign residents, most of whom are from the U.S. According to official figures, some 10,000 Americans lived in San Miguel de Allende in 2024, accounting for 10% of the city’s total population. This historic city is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its colonial architecture and vital role in Mexico’s independence.

To boost tourism, the mayor also requested a revision of the current U.S. travel advisory for Guanajuato. 

At level three, the recommendation is for tourists to “reconsider travel” to the state. “San Miguel de Allende is not a violent municipality, so I asked [the delegation] to analyze the situation and help us … lift the red alert issued by the United States advising its citizens not to visit Guanajuato,” Trejo told the newspaper Milenio.

Finally, Trejo noted that this type of inter-parliamentary meeting had lost relevance in recent years, celebrating the decision to resume them with clear objectives and a serious focus on the shared interests between both nations.

With reports from Milenio and Quadratín Bajío

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