Gift-Wrapped for Christmas:
A Primer About Heritage
John Flórez     [Photo]

My big brother Rey was a double dipper. He celebrated his birthday twice — once on his actual U.S. birth date, Nov. 8, and again on Jan. 6, El Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day, or The Day of the Wisemen), when by religious tradition in my parents’ native Mexico, presents are also exchanged.

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One Shoebox at a Time
Marisella Veiga     [Photo]

When Brian Tobares was eight years old, he saw a TV commercial that featured people giving and sharing. He knew it was good.

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A Student's Promise to New Orleans:
We'll Be Back to Make it Even Better
Enrique Quevedo     [Photo]

It seems like yesterday that I was moving into my freshman-year dorm at Loyola University in New Orleans, meeting my roommate for the first time, studying, pledging for a fraternity and — you can be sure — partying.

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An Unequal Union
Bessy Reyna

After Oct. 1, when the Connecticut law granting same-sex partners the right to a civil union went into effect, my partner Susan and I struggled with the question: Should we support this landmark law, or hold out (as some of our friends have) for some time in the future when it is hoped that the state will legalize same-sex marriage?

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Latino Day Laborers Share Views on Bush's Ideas
Ernesto Portillo Jr.

It was several hours before President Bush touched down last week at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson to talk up his immigration reform plan. On a South Side street corner, several day laborers were already talking about Bush's immigration ideas.

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Critics Question Bush's 'Stealth'
Approach to Guest Worker Proposal
Ambar Espinoza     [Photo]

Hispanic leaders and immigrant advocates welcome President Bush's expressed commitment to comprehensive immigration reform but have expressed some concerns, following speeches he delivered in Tucson, Ariz. and El Paso, Texas last week.

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Christmas Revives Many Cultural Memories for Latinos
Raymond Rodriguez      [Photo]

The Christmas season is a time for Latinos to recall their unique culture and heritage. Each year more Latin American countries are adopting the U.S. style of observing Christmas. Santa, Christmas trees and exchange of gifts are making serious inroads into the traditional Posadas and other time-honored celebrations. There is growing concern that Latinos are becoming “muy agringados.” Too much like Gringos.

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Exploding the Immigrant-Healthcare Myth
Edward Barrios Acevedo     [Photo]

Myths were meant to be shattered. A recent study examining the use of medical services by U.S. immigrants does just that.

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Sharing a White Christmas – Donny, Marie and Me
Raúl Reyes      [Photo]

Growing up, I looked forward each December to the Donny & Marie Christmas Special. An annual tradition in the late 1970s, these shows were musical extravaganzas, featuring synchronized ice skaters and celebrity guests like Dorothy Hamill, Cheryl Ladd and the entire toothy Osmond clan. They went horseback riding in the Utah mountains and everyone wore matching sweaters while they sang carols around the fireplace.

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Now There’s a Trio in the U.S. Senate –
Music to Latino Ears
Alex Meneses Miyashita      [Photo]

After 28 years without a single Hispanic among its 100 members, the U.S. Senate has added three in the space of a year. The latest to join the elite club is Robert Menéndez of New Jersey. He will take office Jan. 17, completing the final year of Jon Corzine’s six-year Senate term. Corzine chose Menéndez as his successor Dec. 9 after being elected in November as New Jersey’s next governor.

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FBI Crime Data Misidentify Immigration Violators
In 9,000 Cases, Report Claims
Ambar Espinoza     [Photo]

An FBI's criminal database provided police officers who ran name checks on individuals they stopped or detained with erroneous immigration violation information in almost 9,000 cases between 2002 and 2004, according to a study by an independent, non-partisan think tank.

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Latino Leaders Send President
Their Strongest Rebuke Yet
Charlie Ericksen     [Photo]

The patience of Hispanic organizational leaders with President Bush is wearing thin.

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Even Start Deserves a Fresh Start
Bill Goodling     [Photo]
and Janet Murguia     [Photo]

We often hear about the polarizing social and political divide that exists today, but regardless of background, we all want to give our children the best education possible and prepare them to be hardworking citizens who contribute to this great country.

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