Rampant gang violence in El Salvador is forcing many people to flee the country, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal. Two gangs, MS-13 and Barrio 18, regularly murder and extort people in their own neighborhoods, the Nov. 2 story reported. This is one explanation for the waves of migrants seeking to enter the U.S. either by petitioning for asylum or by entering illegally, the newspaper stated. “As a worker and as a human being you can’t live in this country in peace,” explains El Salvadoran Jose … [Read more...] about Gang violence in El Salvador often cited as reason for asylum
President Trump’s federal appointments lack diversity
President Donald J. Trump has secured lifetime appointments for dozens of federal judges who do not represent the diversity of the American public, according to an article by NPR. The Republican-controlled Senate has confirmed President Trump’s nominations for a group of judges that consists mostly of White men. “Of his 48 appellate nominations, none are African- American,” said Vanita Gupta of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. “None are Latino. Only nine are women. Our nation’s great diversity should be … [Read more...] about President Trump’s federal appointments lack diversity
Magick helps man to survive the row
An Arkansas inmate performed ceremonial “ magick” to help him survive Death Row, reported an article in The Guardian. Damien Echols said he summoned an angel through magick (which he believes is a mixture of gnostic Christianity, esoteric Judaism, and Taoist energy practices) to protect himself. “It had no discernible facial features. But I knew it was an angel,” Echols said, “and I got why angels in the Bible say ‘be not afraid’ when they show up, because this thing was terrifying.” Echols and two friends were convicted of killing … [Read more...] about Magick helps man to survive the row
Immigrants face challenges after they are released by the US government
Immigrants face challenges long after they are released by the U.S. government. Tens of thousands of migrant adults, including most asylum-seekers, are required to wear electronic tracking bracelets around their ankles at all times. One asylum-seeker, whose lawyer asked to have his name withheld, has been required to wear an ankle monitor for more than a year. The monitor needed to be charged three times a day to prevent a loud “low battery” warning. He was fired from his job at a construction site after his boss heard his monitor go off … [Read more...] about Immigrants face challenges after they are released by the US government
Viral image fundraising campaign for 2-year-old asylum seeker
A heart-rending viral image of a 2-year-old girl crying as she and her mother are detained at the U.S.- Mexico border inspired two people to begin a fund-raising campaign. Their project also went viral, raising $4,000 a minute, reported The Verge. Charlotte and Dave Wilner originally started the campaign to raise $1,500, enough to help pay the bond fees for the 2-year-old girl’s mother, who is an asylum- seeker from Honduras. Under the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy, people caught crossing the U.S.- Mexico border illegally … [Read more...] about Viral image fundraising campaign for 2-year-old asylum seeker