This week on Fronteras:
· Mexicans living in the U.S. who send money to relatives back home worry about President Trump’s threats to tax those remittances as a way to pay for his planned border wall.
· Austin schools educate students on how to respond if they encounter Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents.
· A New Mexico Dakota pipeline protester doesn’t feel defeated following a court ruling okaying construction.
Trump Could Tax Mexican Remittances To Pay For Planned Border Wall
Mexican Americans and Mexican Nationals living in the U.S. sent a record $27 billion dollars to their families south of the border last year. The surge was due in part to fears about President Donald Trump’s threats to target that money, known as remittances, to finance the border wall he wants to build. Jean Guerrero of KPBS has the story.
Maureen Cavanaugh of KPBS talked with Jean further about the possibility of remittance taxes.
Educators Teach Students How To Respond To ICE Agents
Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents arrested nearly 700 undocumented immigrants in a number of cities across the country last week, including 51 in the Austin area. The arrests have many immigrant communities concerned and that anxiety also is making its way into schools. As KUT’s Kate McGee reports from the state capitol, teachers and local education groups there are working to ease students’ fears.
Dakota Pipeline Protests Seen As Rallying Cry For Pipelines Everywhere
President Donald Trump recently fast tracked construction permits for Dallas based Energy Transfer to complete its oil pipeline in North Dakota and a judge has refused to halt construction. Despite the setbacks, the Standing Rock Sioux, who see the pipeline as a threat to their drinking water, say they will continue to fight in court and on the frontlines. New Mexican Mayahuel Garza has made many trips to North Dakota to stand with the water protectors, deliver supplies and offer traditional Aztec ceremony and dance. Garza spoke with KUNM’s Marissa Demarco about the latest developments and why she considers Standing Rock a rallying cry for pipelines everywhere, including the Trans-Pecos Pipeline in west Texas.
