AMNESTY FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS IN MEXICO. The Mexican Congress passed a bill that eliminates criminal penalties against undocumented immigrants. The new law makes entering the country without authorization a misdeamenor, cancels jail time, and imposes administrative fines for immigration violations. Authors of the initiative are proposing an amnesty bill that would allow undocumented foreigners living in Mexico to regularize their legal status. This is a conversation with Mexican legislators.

ALSO, CHEAPER REMITTANCES AND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT. Immigrant groups from Africa, Asia, Mexico and the United States are joining forces to pressure the remittance industry to make their services more affordable and accessible, and to reinvest part of their profits into local community projects. The conversation focuses on a recent meeting of the worldwide coalition in Mexico City and offers an update on measures being considered by Mexican legislators.

MEXICO EDITION. Contrary to assertions by President Felipe Calderon, the economic crisis in Mexico hasn't reached bottom. This is what Mexico City residents said in an informal opinion poll. Many say they are working up to 16 hours a day and survive on less than ten dollars a day. Meanwhile, the federal government has announced cutbacks on social programs and new increases on utility services. Martha Elena Ramirez hosts this Voz Publica edition from Mexico City.

MEXICO EDITION. Mexicans face countless critical problems. Citizens live under the constant threat of falling salaries, natural disasters, and crime. Telephone threats to demand ransom are the latest. Martha Elena Ramirez hosts this edition of the Voz Publica series from Mexico City.

Guests: Matilde Robles, victim of phone threats, Valparaíso, Zacatecas; Gustavo Sánchez Valle, President, Red Mexicana de Organizaciones Campesinas Forestales, RED-MOCAF.

MEXICO EDITION. Six years ago, Mexico created a federal agency to address the growing issues brought forth by Mexican migrant communities. Most Mexican emigres are established in the U.S. How has this agency helped improve communication between Mexicans in the U.S. and Mexico? What has the agency done to advocate for human rights and social development of Mexicans living abroad? Martha Elena Ramirez hosts this edition from Mexico City.

Guest: Candido Morales Rosas, Director, Instituto for Mexicans Abroad, Mexico City.

MEXICO EDITION. Environmentalist Felipe Arreaga Sanchez died after been run over by a government van. Arreaga Sanchez is remembered as one of the grassroots leaders who in 1998 stopped the illegal logging by the company Boise Cascade operating in the forests of the Mexican state of Guerrero. Martha Elena Ramirez hosts this edition of the Voz Publica series from Mexico City.

Guests: Celsa Valdovinos, President, Organización de Mujeres Ecologistas de la Sierra de Petatlán, Felipe Arreaga's widow.

MEXICO EDITION. Mexican migrants often face a culture clash when dealing with the U.S. system. Many end up prosecuted for sex offenses when they engage in sex with underage teens, others face negligence charges when they fail to take care of their children, and others lose their legal residence when found guilty of domestic violence. A migrant advocate comments on these issues.

Guest: Rufino Domínguez-Santos, Executive director, Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo
Indígena Oaxaqueño, Fresno, CA, www.centrobinacional.org

MEXICO EDITION. The clash between the Mexican Union of Electricians and the federal government may worsen and lead to blackouts in Mexico City and five states. Martha Elena Ramirez, host of the series Voz Publica, interviews a top union leader in Mexico City.

Guest: Fernando Amezcua, member of the board of directors, Sindicato Mexicano de Electricistas, Mexico City.