On Fronteras: Drug enforcement off the coast of Central America, illegal immigration missing from Gov. Rick Perry's introductory speech to the Texas legislature, refugees demanding more competent health care services, mixed-immigration families and the Affordable Care Act, immigration reform and criminal charges against undocumented workers.
U.S. Navy Frigate Departs To Combat Drug Trafficking In Central America
A guided-missile frigate left San Diego Tuesday morning on a six-month deployment to Central American waters. Its mission is one well known to law enforcement along the U.S.-Mexico border. Jill Replogle from our Fronteras Desk was at the send off.
Texas Legislature Reverses Course on Immigration Laws
The Texas legislature convened in Austin this week. Texas lawmakers gather once every two years. And in regards to cracking down on illegal immigration the political pendulum swing is certainly evident this time around. Fronteras Reporter David Martin Davies has more.
Refugees In City Heights Fight For Better Medical Translation
Federal health reform is expected to change the face of the nation's insured population. Researchers predict one in five insured patients will be non-native English speakers. That's up from one in eight. But already, medical providers across the country are having trouble keeping up with the demand for translation. From San Diego, Megan Burks reports refugees are demanding a more culturally competent health care experience.
Affordable care act will mean unequal care for families of mixed legal status
When the Affordable Care Act goes into effect, millions of new patients will have access to health care. But the law deliberately excludes undocumented immigrants -- estimated to be about 11 million nationwide. What does that mean for the many families with mixed immigration status? Some covered under the act, and some not. Reporter Megan Burks from KPBS and the Speak City Heights project in San Diego reports.
Heather Boerner contributed to this story with support from the Dennis A. Hunt Fund for Health Journalism.
Criminal Charges Against Unauthorized Immigrant Workers Questioned
The push in Congress for immigration reform could begin as early as this month. In the meantime, there are daily reminders of a broken system. In Arizona’s most populous county, a battle is playing out in the courts over unauthorized immigrants who get hired for work by using fraudulent social security numbers. Law enforcement has been cracking down, but some defense attorneys are questioning their authority to do so. From the Fronteras Desk in Phoenix, Jude Joffe-Block reports.