Línea Abierta Programming: Week of March 16, 2026

Celebrating 45 Years of Radio Bilingüe

MONDAY, MARCH 16
PROGRAM #11079 12:00 PM PT

María Hinojosa. A leading voice in journalism for Latino communities in the United States and host of Latino USA, María Hinojosa reflects on memory, identity, and public responsibility. A Pulitzer Prize winner and recently honored with the Polk Award, she recalls how, as a migrant child, she too could have been separated from her mother. In this conversation, she discusses the country’s current political moment, her role as a university professor, and the emotional weight of reporting on conflicts such as her recent trip to Palestine. She also acknowledges the women who shaped her path in journalism. This program is part of the Thirty Years, Thirty Voices series.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 17
PROGRAM #11080 11:00 AM PT

Illinois Primaries. Congress is set to see a record level of turnover this year as many members choose not to seek reelection. These retirements are having a particularly strong impact in Illinois, a solidly Democratic state where six seats in the U.S. House and Senate are now open. A new generation of candidates is competing for those positions. Which races are the ones to watch? What is at stake? Where could the Latino vote prove most decisive—and how energized are Latino voters?

PROGRAM #11081 12:00 PM PT

Know Your Rights: Naturalization Under Scrutiny. Reports indicate the federal government has launched a large-scale denaturalization effort targeting naturalized citizens suspected of fraud during their applications. Historically rare, such cases usually involve concealed criminal histories or human rights violations. How easy is it to revoke citizenship? What are the legal limits and protections to revoking citizenship? Can naturalized citizens be targeted for their political ideas?

ICE Releases Award-Winning Mariachi Student. Antonio Gámez-Cuéllar, an 18-year-old award-winning mariachi trumpet player detained with his family by ICE in South Texas, was released after intense bipartisan public pressure. His case—after the young musician had even performed on Capitol Hill—sparked national debate about immigration enforcement and the detention of asylum-seeking families complying with legal check-ins. What led to the family’s release? Why did the case spark such broad public outcry?

Medical Support Networks Emerge in Minneapolis. Although federal officials declared the end of Operation Metro Surge—an immigration crackdown by thousands of agents in Minnesota—fear continues to shape daily life. Health workers say some immigrants now avoid hospitals, prompting informal medical networks that provide care in homes. How do these shadow support systems operate? What does this reveal about the public-health impact of immigration enforcement?

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18
PROGRAM #11082 12:00 PM PT

Results of the Illinois Primaries. After the Texas primaries, where Latino voters turned out in massive numbers, observers are now looking to Illinois to see how the Latino electorate responded there. What are the early results from the state’s most closely watched races? How did Latino voters influence those outcomes? And how should these results give clues about the battle in November?

ICE Detains Reporter Covering Immigration Arrests. Colombian-born journalist Estefany Rodríguez Flórez, who had been reporting on immigration arrests, was detained by ICE in Tennessee while traveling in her press vehicle. The incident has raised alarms about press freedom and potential retaliation against immigrant reporters. How did the arrest unfold? What charges does she face? How are journalism organizations responding? Is this an isolated case?

Cuba in the Crosshairs. As President Trump declared that Cuba is in “serious trouble” and said Secretary of State Marco Rubio was dealing with a “friendly takeover” of the island, the United Nations has been negotiating with the United States to allow fuel shipments into Cuba for “humanitarian purposes,” similar to arrangements in Gaza, amid the oil blockade imposed on the island. Meanwhile, hardline Cuban groups in Miami are intensifying pressure for regime change, claiming that “this time” they may succeed in toppling the government.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19
PROGRAM #11083 11:00 AM PT

Tracking Disinformation on Radio. Radio remains one of the main sources of information for Latino communities in the United States, but it is also a space where misleading narratives can spread quickly. A new report examines how, during this past January, content questioning the integrity of the midterm elections circulated on radio broadcasts. The study is based on VERDAD, an artificial intelligence application that tracks disinformation across radio programming. What narratives are repeated on the airwaves? How does this tool work? What does it reveal about how disinformation operates in traditional media? This program is part of a special series on artificial intelligence.

PROGRAM #11084 12:00 PM PT

Sin Fronteras. This is a program of “Sin Fronteras,” a special series that serves audiences in the US and Mexico with breaking news and analysis on major developments affecting Latinos in the US.

The Human Cost of War. Intense U.S. bombings against Iran have entered their third week as Democratic leaders in the Senate demand a full investigation into a rocket strike that killed students at a girls’ school in Iran. The Pentagon admitted that the United States launched the bomb. Will there be an independent investigation? And how much longer will the war last?

The Death of Rubén Ray Martínez. A young U.S. citizen was shot and killed in Texas by an ICE agent a year ago, but key details are only now emerging. Rubén Ray Martínez was the first of three people fatally shot during this administration. Videos released by news outlets contradict ICE’s official account, and a key witness has since died. This report reconstructs the events surrounding his death, how the truth is coming to light, and the attempts to conceal what happened.

Access to Health Insurance: Declining. The cost of health care is becoming an increasing burden for millions of Californians. A recent survey shows that seven in ten residents consider medical expenses a financial strain, while many fear unexpected health costs or already carry medical debt. What do these findings reveal about access to care? How are Californians coping after the end of federal subsidies?

Healing Through Art. One year after the wildfires that devastated communities in Los Angeles, the flames are gone, but emotional scars remain. In areas affected by the Eaton Fire, Project HOPE is leading a long-term recovery effort that combines mental health support with artistic expression. The initiative aims to strengthen community resilience and break the stigma surrounding mental health in Latino communities. How can creativity help process trauma, rebuild from within, and cure survivors?

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FRIDAY, MARCH 20
PROGRAM #11085 12:00 PM PT

Mexico Edition. Following the tradition of fishing cooperatives in Isla Mujeres, local conservationists are working to create Mexico’s first fishing refuge to protect and restore shark and ray populations, shifting from commercial extractive fishing to responsible tourism. On the eve of World Water Day, this report from the northern coast of Quintana Roo also highlights efforts to protect endangered sea turtles that nest there. In addition, the Mexican government has concluded public consultations to review the USMCA. What were the main concerns raised? Analysts examine these and other stories of the week.