Linea Abierta Programming: March 3, 2025

MONDAY, MARCH 3
PROGRAM #10701            12:00 PM PT 

Línea Abierta – Thirty Years, Thirty Voices. This first in a special monthly series through summer 2025 will feature conversations with influential figures in politics, culture, science and health who have left an indelible mark on Línea Abierta’s service. In this first edition, pioneering civil rights leader José Angel Gutiérrez talks about his recent novel “Dystopia and Derailment: Gringo Politics in the Building of Aztlán,” where he imagines the early steps towards creating Aztlán, a territory governed by Mexican Americans in South Texas. Set against the backdrop of a turbulent election, where the fictional character, President Chump, fights to cling to power, the story explores the efforts by veteran and younger leaders to remake the US and the American continent. Gutiérrez, a voting rights pioneer, also discusses how despite Latinos being the majority in Texas, they are still lagging in political power.

Guest: José Angel Gutiérrez, Attorney, Professor, Chicano Movement and Civil Rights Leader, Apple Valley, CA.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 4
PROGRAM #10702            11:00 AM PT 

Extra Edition: Safe Check Cashing and Remittances. In a time of widespread rumors of ICE raids, immigrants in the US fear that going to the store to cash checks or send money to loved ones is no longer safe. In response, advocates are finding ways to bank securely from the privacy of home and avoid the need to have in-person check cashing and remittance services. Proponents of the new financial services discuss their plans and report on how a growing group of farmworkers are using the new platform.

Guests: Dr. Belinda Hernandez Arriaga, Founder and Executive Director, Ayudando Latinos a Soñar-ALAS, Half Moon Bay, CA; Salvador Chavez, Co-founder, Prósperos, Palo Alto, CA.

Has your vehicle been recalled? Coinciding with Vehicle Safety Recalls Week, the US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is urging drivers to use free resources to check if their vehicles have recalls. How can we know if our vehicle has a pending recall? If there is a recall on a vehicle, how should that person go about getting it fixed or repaired? Are repairs to a recall on your vehicle free of charge?

Guest: José Alberto Uclés, Hispanic Community Spokesperson and Public Affairs Officer, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration-NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC.

PROGRAM #10703            12:00 PM PT 

Trump Tariffs: Tool for Coercion? After contradictory comments, President Trump confirmed that 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada will go forward as scheduled. On the day the tariffs are set to go into effect, journalists report about reactions on both sides of the border.

Guest: Jose Lopez Zamorano, Reporter, Washington, DC; excerpts from recent statements by Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.

Tough Immigration Bill. Top Democrats campaigned against anti-immigrant plans that were being pushed by Trump and the Republican Party. Yet, some Democratic legislators dropped their opposition and voted for an immigration bill that would put too many immigrants in the arrest-to-deportation pipeline. Now advocates want answers from them.

Guest: Espi Sandoval, Educator, Former Kerman City Councilmember, and Member representing District 1, Fresno County Democratic Central Committee, Kerman, CA.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5
PROGRAM #10704              12:00 PM PT 

Trump’s Speech to Congress. President Trump addressed both chambers of Congress the night before to lay out his legislative agenda at a time when the continuing resolution is about to end. On March 14, the federal government will run out of money and Congress needs to pass another CR or a full budget for fiscal year 2025. This program includes highlights of Trump’s speech, and the Democratic response. On a related story, national Latino advocates oppose Congress’ plans to cut $1 trillion from Medicaid and are calling on federal policymakers to heed the mandate of US voters, who support policies that help those who are struggling to make ends meet, reducing inflation and increasing wages.

Guests: Jose Lopez Zamorano; Reporter, Washington, DC; Robert Rodriguez, Santa Ana City Chief of Police, Santa Ana, CA today from Washington, DC; Carmen Feliciano, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, UnidosUS, Alexandria, VA.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 6        
PROGRAM #10705            11:00 AM PT 

Extra Edition: Línea Abierta at 30 Years. (Program Repeat). A day like today 30 years ago, Línea Abierta premiered at the gathering site of station members of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters in Albuquerque. Issues critical to immigrant communities, from Proposition 187 in California to the current national policy on mass deportations, have been a top focus of the service. Renowned advocates and legal experts who through the decades have examined the impact of immigration policies and provided useful advice for immigrants at risk, join this program to reflect on the journey and examine the road ahead. This program was originally aired on February 25, 2025.

Guests: Carlos Spector Calderón, Immigration Attorney, Veteran Línea Abierta Commentator, El Paso, TX; Rosalba Piña, Immigration Attorney, Veteran Línea Abierta Commentator, Chicago, IL; Juan Arámbula, Former California State Assemblymember, Veteran Línea Abierta Commentator, Fresno, CA.

PROGRAM #10706              12:00 PM PT 

Sin Fronteras. This is the fifth program of “Sin Fronteras,” a special edition to serve audiences in Mexico City and other Mexican state capitals with breaking news and analysis about major developments impacting Latinos in the US.

The Threat of Tariffs on Mexico. Tariffs on Mexico and Canada are expected to be enforced this week, even though US officials said the fate of the 25 percent levy could still be postponed. What’s the tariff plan? What are the reactions in the US?

Public Health Order to Ban Immigrants. The Trump administration is expected to revive the Title 42 public health emergency in order to designate migrants crossing the US-Mexico border as health threats. Under this order, migrants from countries with recent cases of tuberculosis, measles, RSV and other diseases would be banned. What are the practical and legal repercussions?

Forcing Migrants to Register. The DHS announced all undocumented immigrants aged 14 and older will have to register with the federal government or face criminal and civil penalties and jail time. This is a major escalation of the White House’s move to push millions to leave on their own. What’s the plan?
Guests: Dulce Guzmán, Executive Director, Alianza America, Chicago, IL.

ICE Raids: Rapid Response. Advocates and service providers in York, Pennsylvania, are organizing a “rapid response team” to help immigrant families who fall into the net of the ICE operations and deal with the collateral damage caused by ICE detentions and deportations.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 7
PROGRAM #10707            12:00 PM PT 

Mexico Edition. President Trump threatened to begin tariffs on Mexico and Canada this week. How is the threat of tariffs being used? How is Mexico responding? What would be the short and long term consequences of tariffs for Mexico and North America? Analysts discuss this and other news developments.