TEXAS-GUADALAJARA EDITION – MEXICO’S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN FINAL DAY. Today is the final day for political campaigning in Mexico. This program provides a report on the final campaign stops and a review of migrant issues in the presidential hopefuls platforms. It also gives a report on the early voting by Mexican émigrés who are sending their ballots by mail as well as other ways émigrés help influence the vote back home. This is a simulcast with the three-station network of Sistema Jalisciense de Radio y Televisión in Guadalajara, in Western Mexico.

Guests:

Patricio Ballados, coordinator, Vote of Mexicans Living Abroad, Instituto Federal Electoral, Mexico City; Juan Benavente, Mexican citizen who voted by mail, Visalia, CA.

TEXAS – GUADALAJARA EDITION. Leaders of Mexican émigré groups in the U.S. give their views on the debate in Mexico to recount the vote of the presidential election. Guests in Western Mexico also give news on the new political landscape in the nation. This is a simulcast with the three-station network of Sistema Jalisciense de Radio y Televisión in Guadalajara.

TEXAS-GUADALAJARA EDITION – This is a simulcast in conjunction with the three-station network of Sistema Jalisciense de Radio y TV in Guadalajara. This program includes the following topics:

ZERO TOLERANCE ZONE. Undocumented immigrants that are arrested in the area between Del Rio and Eagle Pass in the Texas-Mexico border are prosecuted and sent to prison, instead of sending them back to Mexico. Javier Martinez, host of Town Talk Live at KWMC-AM Radio in Del Rio, TX provides news and comments on the ramifications of this campaign.

ALSO, SI SE PUEDE. This is a conversation with seasoned investigative journalist Sanjuana Martinez about her new book "Si Se Puede," a timely chronicle of the recent immigrant rallies and an extensive reportage on Latino immigrants' contributions to the U.S.

TEXAS-GUADALAJARA SIMULCAST: THE FENCE. With immigration being a top issue for Republicans running for reelection in November, the Senate agreed to consider a bill passed in the House that would build a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexico border. Immigrant-rights groups are mobilizing in opposition of this enforcement-only legislation. This program is a simulcast with the three-station network of Sistema Jalisciense de Radio y TV in Guadalajara.

Guests:

Attorney Carlos Spector Calderón, political analyst, El Paso, TX; Leo Anchondo, director of Justice for Immigrants Campaign, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC; Sen. Alberto Cárdenas Jiménez, PAN – Jalisco; Sen. Héctor Pérez Plazola, PAN – Jalisco.

TEXAS EDITION – THE MOOD AT THE BORDER. Community leaders from the Rio Grande valley and West Texas share their mood and views on major issues that may impact the midterm Congress election. Topics include the use of the border fence for stirring up voters, the post vacated by Tom Delay, and the battle for the newly-redistricted seat of Henry Bonilla.

Guests:

Belén Robles, former President, League of United Latin American Citizens, El Paso, TX; Rogelio Núñez, President, Proyecto Libertad, board member, Narciso Martínez Cultural Center, San Benito, TX.

TEXAS EDITION – USE OF FORCE AT THE BORDER. A Mexican visitor at the international bridge has a constitutional right to be free from use of excessive force, determined a top U.S. court.This is in connection with a reported attack and arrest by an INS agent of a Mexican national who applied for admission to the U.S. Both sides of this issue have been invited to this program.

TEXAS EDITION – THE YEAR IN REVIEW. This is a review of some of the year’s most remarkable events as reported on Linea Abierta – Texas Edition. The program includes voices of the pro-immigrant student walkouts, the views of war veterans on the war in Iraq, and a report on the November election. It
also includes a tribute to the late Freddy Fender, Miguel Aceves Mejía and Ray Barreto, who died this year, as well as recognition to Elvira Arellano and LULAC’s Rosa Rosales. Listeners call in and submit their own story choices.

EDICIÓN DE TEXAS – PREDICCIONES DE AÑO NUEVO. El abogado Carlos Spector-Calderón conduce esta edición desde El Paso, Texas, y nos ofrece sus comentarios con respecto a los acontecimientos que no hay que perder de vista durante el 2007, entre ellos: la construcción del muro fronterizo entre México y Estados Unidos, la economía en la zona fronteriza, la política en Texas, entre otros acontecimientos.

TEXAS EDITION – DREADFUL DETENTION CAMPS. The Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security found serious health, safety and civil rights violations on the treatment of immigrant detainees imprisoned at five U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement facilities. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security was not able to join the show. Immigrant advocates comment the report.

Guests:

Patricia Mejia, attorney, immigration law, Tucson, AZ; Christopher Nugent, member, Detention Watch Network, Washington, DC.

TEXAS EDITION – “FROM CRADLE TO CAREER.” Researchers ranked U.S. states according to the chances for success for their children. The report gave Virginia high marks claiming that in that state children are most likely to become well-educated adults with high-paying jobs, while children born in New Mexico would be least likely to succeed. Texas is also at the bottom of this list. This program takes a look at education and other services that help improve chances for children to succeed in life.

TEXAS EDITION – BILL CRIMINALIZES UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS. A bill that would “make it illegal to be illegal” in Texas has been introduced in the state Senate. Under the bill, being undocumented would be considered criminal trespassing. Supported by the Republican caucus, the bill includes other restrictive measures and is seen as a political bellwether.

Guest:

Carlos Spector-Calderón, immigration law expert and regular commentator, El Paso, TX.

ALSO, FARMERS BRANCH ELECTION. Political campaigns are in full gear for the upcoming local elections in Farmers Branch, a Dallas suburb known for enacting an ordinance banning apartment complexes from renting to undocumented immigrants. Many predict that this debate may draw the largest voter turnout in the history of the city. This is a report on the stakes behind this election.

Guest:

Rosa Rosales, national president, League of United Latin American Citizens, San Antonio, TX.

IMMIGRANTS LOBBY FOR RIGHTS. Latino advocates from Texas travel to Capitol Hill to lobby for the DREAM Act, the Citizen Promotion Act, a moratorium on deportations, and immigration reform. Carlos Spector-Calderón and Samuel Schmidt co-host this edition from El Paso. They facilitate a conversation between Fernando García, executive director of the Border Network for Human Rights, Oscar Chacón, director of NALACC, Leticia Carrillo, Gamaliel Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago; and Congressman Luis Gutiérrez, D-Chicago, from the office of Rep. Gutierrez on Capitol Hill and about immigration reform legislation.

TEXAS EDITION – - Mental Illness in Prisons. Analysis on the provision of psychiatric care to the prison population in Texas and the risks of mental disorders while incarcerated.

Guest:

Dr. Cristina Cruz, Pediatric/Adolescent Psychiatrist, Psychiatrist, El Paso, TX

GUADALAJARA SIMULCAST – LETTERS FROM THE OTHER SIDE. The three-station network of Sistema Jalisciense de Radio y Televisión and Satélite Radio Bilingüe join signals to air this edition Without Borders. For this program, Heather Courtney, a filmmaker based in Austin, TX, talks about her film ‘Letters from the Other Side.’ Premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival, the documentary uses cross-boder video letters to tell the story of the women left behind in Mexico when the workers migrate north. Eugenia González, a grower of cactus groves in Guanajuato profiled in this film, also joins the conversation. Two additional guests in Jalisco comment on state programs to help low-income entrepreneurs to launch a small or micro business. They are María Ulloa, Deputy director for marketing, Fondo Nacional de Apoyo para las Empresas de Solidaridad, Guadalajara; and Rosa María Muñoz, recipient of a grant, Lagos de Moreno. MX.

BORDER JEWS. Filmmaker Isaac Artenstein talks about his new project featuring Jewish communities along the border, including enclaves in El Paso, San Diego, Santa Fe and Tucson. A producer of The Day Without a Mexican, Artenstein also comments on the current season of pro immigrant rallies around the U.S. This program is hosted by Samuel Schmidt from El Paso.

Guest:

Isaac Artenstein, producer, director, screenwriter, San Diego, CA.

TEXAS EDITION - ELDER AND DISABLED ABUSE. According to the most recent statistics compiled by the National Center on Elder Abuse, about 1 out of every 10 incidents of elder abuse involves a Latino. Long-Term care, planning for disabilities and other elder and disabled issues are often neglected among minority families. Research suggests that as most Latino families care for their own elderly the issues become more complex. Host Samuel Schmidt speaks to attorneys fighting for the rights of the elderly and the disabled in this edition from El Paso, Texas.

Guests:

Stephanie Thownsend-Allala, Elder Law attorney, Hammond Townsend Allala, PLLC, El Paso, Texas.

What does it mean to be a fronterizo, a resident of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands? Is there a common identity that unifies the people living in this region? How is this culture changing with the increased emphasis on border control and the polarized debate on immigration? Samuel Schmidt hosts this program from El Paso, TX.

Guest: Dr. Pablo Vila, professor, Sociology Department, Temple University; author of the books “Crossing Borders”, and “Border Identities”, Philadelphia, PA.

TEXAS EDITION - BORDER IDENTITIES. What does it mean to be a fronterizo, a resident of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands? Is there a common identity that unifies the people living in this region? How is this culture changing with the increased emphasis on border control and the polarized debate on immigration? Samuel Schmidt hosts this program from El Paso, TX.

Guests:

Dr. Pablo Vila, professor, Sociology Department, Temple University; author of the books “Crossing Borders”, and “Border Identities”, Philadelphia, PA.

TEXAS EDITION – MAY 1: THE OUTCOMES. Host Samuel Schmidt analyzes the similarities and differences between last year and this week’s national rallies. Guest commentators also discuss the impact of the national rallies on the battle for the hearts and minds of the U.S. public and the struggle to reach a deal in Congress. A top legislator also comments on the restrictive bills mushrooming in state legislatures throughout the country.

Guests:

Texas Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, Chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures, Austin, TX; Rafael Pulido, “El Pistolero”, DJ, Univisión Radio – Chicago; Lorenzo Cano, Associate director, Center for Mexican American Studies, University of Houston, Houston, TX.

TEXAS EDITION – MEXICO’S OIL AND REMITTANCE DOLLARS. This is a conversation with George Baker, a business energy expert from Houston, on the politics behind Mexico’s oil production.

TEXAS EDITION – HIGH-ACHIEVING SCHOOLS. This is a conversation with Héctor Sánchez, policy analyst with The Education Trust, Inc. in Washington, DC, on exemplary schools that have shown remarkable success in educating low-income students and students of color to achieve high academic levels.

TEXAS EDITION – THE IMMIGRATION DEAL AND BORDER SECURITY. The immigration reform deal agreed by Senate leaders and the White House highlights a border security and enforcement provision. How is this proposal viewed by communities along the U.S./Mexico border? Samuel Schmidt hosts this program from El Paso, TX.

Guests:

Attorney Carlos Spector Calderón, immigration policy analyst, El Paso, TX; Fernando García, director, border Network for Human Rights, member of U.S.-Mexico Task Force on Border and Immigration, El Paso, TX.

TEXAS EDITION – THE WAR. Director Ken Burns documentary “The War,” on World War II is scheduled to broadcast in September on the public television network PBS. The absence of Latinos has generated a heated controversy among Latino veterans and civil-rights advocates. While the producer agreed to incorporate the voices of Latino WWII veterans, critics of the film series continue pressing for answers as to how and how much. Samuel Schmidt hosts this weekly segment from El Paso, TX.

Guest:

Gus Chávez, co-founder, Defend the Honor Campaign, Director Emeritus, EOP, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA; Eulalio Calderón, veteran of the Korean War, Del Río, TX.

TEXAS EDITION – MONEY REMITTANCES. In this conversation with host Samuel Schmidt, Dr. Raul Hinojosa-Ojeda explores the economic impact that legalizing millions of undocumented workers would have on the economy of immigrant families, U.S. cities, and the money-remittance market. Hinojosa-Ojeda is the president of No Borders, Inc., a company that provides money transfer services to residents of Latin America and immigrants in the U.S. He is also associate professor of Urban Planning at UCLA.

TEXAS EDITION – BORDER IDENTITIES. In the context of a heated debate over immigration in Washington, host Samuel Schmidt explores how prevailing U.S. notions towards “the others” impact the U.S.-Mexico border political life.

Guest:

Dr. Carlos González, director, Colegio de Chihuahua, Cd. Juárez, México.

This program includes a report on the decision of a federal judge whether to issue an injunction prohibiting Farmers Branch, a suburb of Dallas, from enforcing an ordinance that bars undocumented immigrants from renting apartments in the city. On the other hand, New Haven, in Connecticut, has authorized ID cards for undocumented residents who will now be able to open bank accounts, apply for financial loans, and use public libraries and city services. The ordinance takes effect next month.

The U.S. soccer team defeated Mexico in the Gold Cup final, touching off a storm among Mexico's national sport fans. Listeners comment on the ramifications of the outcome of these archrival teams.

ALSO, CARLOS GUTIÉRREZ ON THE REVIVED IMMIGRATION BILL. In this interview with EP Samuel Orozco, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutiérrez comments on the prospects of the resuscitated immigration bill and rejects the possibility of suspending mass deportation raids.

On the fourth of July, many celebrate the national birthday as a day of stars-and-stripes flags, fireworks and barbecues. Others prefer to think of it as a day to celebrate freedom and citizenship. What’s the meaning and symbolism of the holiday for our listeners? A renowned scholar on Spanglish comments on the contemporary meaning of Emma Lazarus famous poem: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free".

Guest: Dr. Ilan Stavans, professor, Amherst College, Amherst, MA

Traditionally, communities of color have been rejected when they apply for home and business loans in a discriminatory practice known as “redlining”. Banks and other lending institutions consider them “higher risk” applicants and as a consequence receive less credit. Recently, measures taken to expand access to credit for communities of color have encouraged “redlining in reverse”: predatory lending. Texas-edition host Samuel Schmidt talks about these issues in this program from El Paso.

Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano signed a law that would suspend the business license of those businesses that fail to verify the legal status of its employees. How would this and other punitive laws impact the immigrant and business community? How would this crackdown on immigrants affect the warm relationship with the neighboring Mexican state of Sonora? Samuel Schmidt hosts this program from Austin, TX.

A Human Rights Watch report titled "Forced Apart: Families Separated and Immigrants Harmed by U.S. Deportation Policy" analyzes the effects of the deportation of hundreds of thousands on families and communities in the U.S. These deportation policies that have separated 1.6 million children and adults are "cruel and senseless," says the group.

Guest: Jamie Fellner, Director, Human Rights Watch - US Program, New York, NY

The Texas-Mexico border has some of the highest rates of diabetes in the world. Pressed by critics who say a sense of urgency is lacking, the Texas legislature approved a pilot project to keep track of the cases of diabetes. Established in San Antonio, the project is called the Diabetes Registry. The only other city tracking the epidemic is New York City.

Guest: Dr. John Treviño, director, San Antonio Bienestar program, and co-director, Social and Health Research Center of San Antonio, TX; Javier Carrillo, Health Promotion Specialist, California Diabetes Program, California Department of Public Health, University of California, San Francisco.

Texas ranks as the number 1 greenhouse gas polluter among all U.S. states. It is seventh worldwide. Yet, Texas is about to release tons of carbon dioxide a year to the atmosphere after approving 16 new power plants that burn coal, the most carbon-intensive fuel for producing electricity. While these plans are generating increasing public debate, Texas has no formal plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and help mitigate global warming.

Guest: Oliver Bernstein, Spokesperson, Sierra Club, Austin, TX. www.sierraclub.org

TEXAS EDITION – CHILDREN DENTAL CARE. As millions of children begin their school year, pediatricians and dentists urge parents to include a dental examination as part of their children’s back-to-school plans. According to official data, tooth decay is most prevalent among Latino children. Host Samuel Schmidt explores how tooth decay impacts the overall health and school performance of children.

Invited guest: Dr. María López Howell, American Dental Association.

An emerging Latin American writer shares his thoughts on topics such as political and cultural borders, the writer's stigma of the ivory tower, the role of ficition writing in society and more.

Guest: Dr. Jorge Majfud, professor of Latin American Literature, University of Georgia, Excellence in Research Award in Humanities and Letters, UGA, Atlanta, GA.

TEXAS EDITION – MIGRANT SHELTERS. Mexican immigrants in the U.S. and Central American migrants in Mexico are facing similar threats: detention, imprisonment and deportation by immigration agents, and often also robbery, extortion and rape. In this program, an advocate talks about what his organization does to provide shelter and protection to migrants in need.

As part of the current immigration debate, major mainstream media networks often quote or give airtime to so called “immigration pundits” who have connections with white supremacist organizations or hard-line restrictionist organizations. Those ties are often hidden from the public’s view. This is a conversation with a scholar who has researched the topic.

Guest: Vanessa Cárdenas, Director for ethnic media, Center for American Progress, Washington, DC.

A state senator from the Texas border area has announced big dreams, captured in five M letters: Medicine, Military, Movement, Manufacturing and Mexico. This legislator wants to have a port designation for Paso del Norte, he wants El Paso-Ciudad Juárez to become a manufacturing capital of North America, and he sees in the future of El Paso’s medical centers the capital of Latino health.

Guest: Sen. Elliot Shapleigh, El Paso, TX.

ALSO, INDIGENOUS SUMMIT. This is a brief report direct from Vícam, a Yaqui Indian town in Northwest Mexico, on the eve of a momentous gathering of hundreds of indigenous leaders and civil-rights advocates from around the continent. The landmark summit takes place on the heels of the United Nations’ universal resolution calling for the recognition of the world’s indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination and full control over their lands

TEXAS EDITION – CARMEN BOULLOSA. This is a conversation with acclaimed Mexican novelist and poet Carmen Boullosa. In the culmination of the month that celebrates Latino heritage, Boullosa comments on a history research project that reveals some not-so-well-known Latino contributions in New York City. She also comments on her most recent books.

Alfredo Corchado, Mexico bureau chief of the Dallas Morning News received a distinguished prize from Columbia University in New York for covering the deadly beat of drug-related crime and violence along the U.S.-Mexico border, considered one of the most dangerous places to practice journalism in the world. He talks about the growing wave of organized crime and police and government corruption.

The U.S. granted asylum to a Mexican immigrant living in Chicago who applied for protection saying he fears persecution in his homeland because he is gay. His attorney pointed to Mexico’s prevailing homophobia, and history of harassment, abuse and violence against gays. This is an interview with the attorney who won this case.

Guest: Attorney Aggie Hoffman, immigration specialist, Los Angeles.

Five Latino families are suing the Otero County Sheriff’s Department in New Mexico, charging them with violating their civil rights during the recent Operation Stonegarden. Under this operation, the federal government pays counties for expenses related to enforcing border security. Recently, Otero deputies raided homes, interrogated families, detained 28 immigrants and turned them over to the Border Patrol. Plaintiffs and attorneys for both parties were invited to this program.

Guest: Peter Simonson, executive director, American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.

Host Samuel Schmidt facilitates the participation of listeners who comment on a number of issues, including access to health care and New York's backpedaling on its policy to give driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.

In a historic development, Sen. Barak Obama won Iowa’s Democratic vote. Gov. Mike Huckabee was favored by Republicans. Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. John McCain won New Hampshire. What does this outcome mean for Latino voters? How energized the Latino vote proved to be? What are the plans of Gov. Bill Richardson, the Latino candidate?

Local governments and landowners in South Texas are opposing federal plans to build a wall in the U.S./Mexican border. Last month, the Department of Homeland Security gave Texas landowners an ultimatum notice and in recent days announced its intent to use its powers of eminent domain to seize private and municipal lands to build a wall in the border with Mexico. The U.S.

Did winners of the Tsunami Tuesday election clinched the presidential nomination? What happen after the election in the big states? Correspondents file news reports and political commentators provide analysis on the news developments of the day before.

TEXAS EDITION – PRIMARIES IN THE POTOMAC AREA. This is an analysis on the outcome of the primaries in the Potomac river region, including Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. McCain and Obama swept these presidential primaries. Listeners discuss issues of underlying racism around the vote on African-American Obama.

Guest: Dr. Sandra Suárez, professor of political science, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.