Línea Abierta Programming: Week of September 14, 2026

Celebrating 46 Years of Radio Bilingüe

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
PROGRAM #11267 12:00 PM PT

The Shadow of Armed Agents at the Polls. Prominent Latino organizations and the city of Denver have filed a new lawsuit seeking to bar ICE agents from polling places, arguing that federal arrests violate the “Troops at the Polls” law. The action comes in response to a Trump administration directive allowing agents to enter voting centers to carry out judicial arrests and immigration enforcement operations. The Justice Department has also announced plans to deploy agents to monitor polling places.

AI: Inaccurate Election Information. Artificial intelligence chatbots can fail to answer basic questions about U.S. elections, and the problem is even worse in Spanish. A study of six models found inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated answers, fewer sources, and errors that could affect how, when, and where people vote. How reliable are these tools for Latino voters? What are the risks of depending on them for voting information?

The Harm Caused by Deepfakes. Conservative political activists posted fake images on social media falsely claiming that a progressive Chicane state lawmaker supports a far-right candidate for a top office in Arizona. A local columnist called the use of deepfake tools in the electoral process “scary and outrageous.” Why?

Are We Passing the Test in Education? The United States moved up in the PISA rankings, the international assessment that measures students’ skills in reading, math, and science. The results show that the country performs above average in reading and science and remains close to the average in math. Still, U.S. scores remain near historic lows. What explains this relative improvement, and what does it reveal about student learning? What are the main challenges? And what does the test show about the Americas as a whole?

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
PROGRAM #11268 11:00 AM PT

El Grito Returns. Mexican Independence Day celebrations are returning to many U.S. cities after being canceled last year amid fears of ICE operations. Chicago, the epicenter of one of the most aggressive enforcement actions, is marking Mexico’s independence with the return of the El Grito festival and the traditional Little Village parade. Officials are promising heightened security, while community leaders are working to restore a sense of joy and support local businesses. How is the Mexican community experiencing this return? How do residents remember last year’s tragic events? And what is happening in other cities across the country?

PROGRAM #11269 12:00 PM PT

What If ICE Shows Up at School? As students head back to class, young activists affected by federal family-separation policies are drawing attention to the possibility of ICE activity at schools. These youth advocates are advising schools on how to protect students and their families if they detect immigration enforcement operations on campus.

Two Months After Lorenzo Salgado’s Killing: What Comes Next? Víctor Salgado, the brother of Lorenzo Salgado — who was killed by ICE agents on July 7 — has been released. He is the third key eyewitness in the case under investigation. His release comes as the prosecutor handling the case says he plans to present it to a grand jury in the “coming weeks.” How is the investigation progressing? What is known about the status of the witnesses?

Legal Battle Over Citizenship. Civil rights organizations are returning to court to ask that protections for birthright citizenship remain in place following recent executive orders by President Donald Trump. The coalition, which won a favorable court ruling in June, argues that the new measures are another attempt to restrict that right for certain babies born on U.S. soil. What exactly are they asking the court to do? What does the Constitution say? And what is the current situation for people born in the United States?

Southern Mexico Becomes a New Destination for Deportees. Tapachula has become one of the main arrival points for immigrants deported from the United States. Third-country deportation policies and immigration controls in southern Mexico have created a bottleneck that leaves thousands of people stranded, with few options for work or onward travel. How did Tapachula become a “prison city” for immigrants? What is happening with third-country deportations? Who is being affected the most?

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
PROGRAM #11270 12:00 PM PT

A Census Without Immigrants. The Trump administration has proposed excluding many noncitizen immigrants from the 2030 Census and removing questions about race. The changes could reshape the distribution of seats in Congress and federal funding, and are already expected to trigger legal challenges. Who would no longer be counted? What consequences could these changes have? What does the Constitution say?

War Sends Gas Prices Soaring. Oil prices rose above $100 a barrel for the first time since July, driven by a new escalation in the war between the United States and Iran and attacks on ships and energy facilities. The conflict has severely disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies. How high could prices go? How would more expensive oil affect gasoline, transportation, and the U.S. economy? What can we expect in the coming weeks?

Community Organizing for the Elections. More than 750 “solidarity schools” are preparing to train workers and community members in election protection and nonviolent civic organizing. The workshops aim to provide tools to respond to potential barriers to voting, disinformation, or failures in the electoral process. How do these trainings work? What activities are planned across the country? What strategies do they promote?

National Voter Registration Day. Through voter registration drives across the country, civic leaders are marking National Voter Registration Day by reaching out to eligible voters to make sure their information is up to date and that they know what they need before casting a ballot. Organizers are helping voters check their registration status, prepare for Election Day, and plan how they’ll vote.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
PROGRAM #11271 11:00 AM PT

No Right to Clean Water. The U.S. Constitution does not guarantee a right to clean water. That was the ruling of a court that rejected a lawsuit filed by residents of Jackson, Mississippi, a majority-Black city that has struggled for years with contaminated water. The judges acknowledged government failures but said the claims must be pursued through other legal avenues. What does this decision mean, and what options remain for communities affected by the drinking water crisis?

Reducing the Climate Impact of Dairy Farms. U.S. senators have introduced the Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act, or COWS Act. This bill would help producers reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air and water quality, and adopt sustainable practices and alternative manure-management systems to build resilience for the years ahead. “The current climate crisis demands that we move toward a more sustainable agricultural model,” supporters say.

This is a special program in the Cuando se seca el arroyo series.

PROGRAM #11272 12:00 PM PT

Is the American Dream Fading? The phrase “American Dream” has traditionally described the idea that anyone, regardless of background, race, or social class, can achieve a better quality of life — or even become wealthy — through hard work and perseverance. But according to a recent survey, Latinos in the United States are increasingly doubtful that the dream is still within reach. Why has the perception of immigrant communities changed?

DEA’s Role in Fentanyl Deaths Under Investigation. New Mexico’s congressional delegation is asking the Justice Department’s inspector general to expand an investigation into the DEA’s strategy of allowing large fentanyl shipments to move through the state without being seized. Lawmakers want investigators to examine cases dating back to before 2024 and determine whether those decisions contributed to overdose deaths in the state.

New Lawsuit Accuses César Chávez of Rape. An 86-year-old woman has filed a lawsuit against organizations associated with César Chávez, accusing him of raping her in 1973 while she was working with the farmworkers’ union. What allegations are being made against the organizations’ current leaders? What damages is she seeking? How are people responding? And what has happened since other allegations surfaced last March?

Deadly Risks on Dairy Farms. A year ago, six farmworkers died at a Colorado dairy after being exposed to toxic gas in a manure-management system. Among the victims were a father and his two sons. Workplace safety advocates say the tragedy was preventable and exposes the very real hazards farm workers face on the job. Why did so many workers die? Who should be held accountable? Where did the system fail, and what changes are urgently needed to prevent similar accidents? What has happened in the year since?

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
PROGRAM #11273 12:00 PM PT

Mexico Edition. With concerts, civic ceremonies, fireworks, and the traditional Grito de Dolores, Mexicans at home and abroad are marking the 216th anniversary of the start of the country’s war of independence. Meantime, Mexico is debating whether those who govern the country should be required to hold only Mexican nationality and no foreign citizenship. A proposal backed by President Sheinbaum would require anyone seeking the presidency, a state or Mexico City governorship, to hold only Mexican nationality while in office. People who hold both Mexican and foreign nationality would still be allowed to run, as long as they renounce their other nationality before registering as candidates. Analysts examine the proposal’s context and implications.