Línea Abierta Programming: Week of October 26, 2026

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26
PROGRAM #11310 12:00 PM PT

Crackdown on Voters. Just days before the election, the Justice Department arrested two dozen people in California accused of illegally registering to vote or casting ballots. CBS News also reports that hundreds of armed federal agents are going door to door in other states, asking residents whether they are U.S. citizens and whether they have registered or voted. Who was arrested? What evidence is there of illegal voting? Why is California being targeted? Where else are armed agents operating? And is this lawful?

Election Deniers on the Ballot. Nearly 200 candidates who rejected or sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election results are now running for powerful offices, including governor, secretary of state, and attorney general. Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Michigan host several of the most closely watched races. Who are these candidates? What changes are they proposing to the election system? And what could it mean for them to hold positions with authority over elections?

“Medicare for All” Gains Steam. As more than 100 million Americans carry medical debt, a proposal long associated with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party is gaining new traction in political debate and among the public: “Medicare for All,” a plan for universal health coverage. One of its most prominent advocates this election season is Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan. How would Medicare for All work? And what do voters think about the idea?

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27
PROGRAM #11311 11:00 AM PT

What’s at Stake on November 3? Control of the House could come down to a relatively small number of districts. Thirty races are considered toss-ups, while another 60 are highly competitive. Democrats need to flip just three seats to take the majority from Republicans. Which races should we be watching? Where is the political landscape shifting fastest? More than 17 million people have already voted early — what do those numbers tell us? And what issues are motivating Latino voters to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day?

PROGRAM #11312 12:00 PM PT

Court Blocks ICE Arrests at Courthouses. A federal court has blocked a policy that allowed ICE agents to arrest people when they appeared for immigration hearings. The nationwide ruling bars those arrests inside or near courthouses. Immigrant advocates say the decision will allow people to attend hearings without fear of being taken into custody. What changes now? Who is protected? And what limits does ICE face when making arrests?

Big Tech’s Influence on Immigration Policy. Powerful technology companies are gaining direct influence over Department of Homeland Security decisions involving public surveillance and border enforcement, raising concerns for vulnerable communities, including immigrants, according to a new report. Which companies and contracts are driving this shift? How is that influence shaping immigration and security policy? And what can communities and advocacy groups do to demand greater transparency and accountability?

Another Death in ICE Custody. The death of a lawful permanent resident in ICE custody in Texas is drawing international condemnation and renewed calls for stronger human rights protections. Emiliano Andrade-Covarrubias died in Laredo after months in detention; his family says he did not receive proper care for several medical conditions. Eighteen Mexican nationals have now died in ICE custody during the current administration, including 14 immigrants in Texas. Why was Emiliano detained despite being a legal permanent resident? Could his death have been prevented? And who is investigating the case?

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28
PROGRAM #11313 12:00 PM PT

Disillusioned Latino Voters. Two years ago, many Latino voters helped return Trump to the White House and gave Republicans control of Congress. Now, many are pulling away from Trump and the Republican Party. At the same time, several heavily Latino districts in states including Arizona, Colorado, and Texas have become key electoral battlegrounds. So where will disappointed and undecided Latino voters land this time?

AI and Latino Voters. Artificial intelligence and data centers are becoming hot-button issues in the election, stirring debate among voters in some communities. But far less is known about how Latino voters view them. How much are Latinos using AI? And what do they think about the benefits and costs of data centers? A new poll examines how much these issues resonate with Latino voters.

Europe in Turmoil. Fueled by economic hardship, a wave of intense youth protests and street violence is spreading across several European countries. What is driving the anger? Why is it spreading so quickly? Could it lead to political change? What could the unrest mean for the United States and Latin America? And how is it being used in the U.S. rhetoric to blame immigrants?

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29
PROGRAM #11314 11:00 AM PT

Protecting the Vote. Nearly 20 million people have already voted early, including many first-time and Latino voters. With Election Day just days away and concerns about federal enforcement activity in Latino communities, civic groups are stepping up efforts to protect voters. How strong is enthusiasm among Latino voters, and what issues are driving them to the polls? What barriers to participation are being reported? Could changes to voting rules in states such as Texas and Florida create confusion? What attempts to interfere with the election have surfaced? How are groups encouraging early voting, and how are they preparing to protect access to the polls? Civic leaders from across the country join this virtual panel.

PROGRAM #11315 12:00 PM PT

A Crucial Election. The midterms are shaping up as a referendum on the first two years of Trump’s new administration, and the political landscape in Congress is becoming increasingly difficult for the president’s party. What could the outcome mean for Mexico and Latin America? And are voters ready to support — or push back against — the president’s policies on trade, immigration, border security, Cuba, and Venezuela?

Immigration Emerges as a Republican Weak Spot. The surge in deportations is hitting Latino families and communities hard, and the political fallout is beginning to show. A new report documents parents detained in front of their children, U.S. citizens taken into custody, and migrant children forced to navigate immigration proceedings without a lawyer. Polls show growing opposition to these policies. How much will immigration weigh on voters as they head to the polls?

More Latinos Are Struggling to Afford Food. More than one and a half million Latinos nationwide have lost food assistance, according to a new report. The losses are tied to cuts to SNAP included in Trump’s sweeping budget law. At the same time, families are dealing with higher food and gas prices amid the war in Iran and new tariffs. Why are Latino households being hit so hard? And is the cost of living shaping how they vote?

Fewer Immigrant Students in California Schools? California schools have seen fewer newly arrived immigrant students over the past two years, as border crossings decline and federal immigration policies change. In some districts, the drop has led schools to close newcomer programs and reassign staff. What is driving the decline? How is it affecting schools already losing students and funding? And what happens to immigrant students who still need help learning English and adjusting to a new school system?

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30
PROGRAM #11316 12:00 PM PT

Mexico Edition. As Mexico prepares to mark the traditional Día de Muertos, civil society groups are stepping up calls on the federal Congress to pass the “Ley Trasciende,” along with complementary legislation in Mexico City, to legalize medical aid in dying and euthanasia. Both measures are being championed by activist Samara Martínez, who is terminally ill. Religious groups oppose the proposals, while President Sheinbaum has called for a broad national debate on the issue. Analysts discuss these developments and other news.