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Now that Arizona is a hotbed of controversy because of SB 1070, the Suns have stepped up to embrace a community under attack. Yahoo! Sports reports that the team will be wearing its "Los Suns" jerseys for tonight's (May 5) Game 2 against the San Antonio Spurs (9:00 PM EDT on TNT) "to honor [the] Latino community and the diversity of our league, the state of Arizona, and our nation."

Team owner Robert Sarver, who suggested the team wear their Noche Latina alternates, said frustration with the federal government's failure to deal with the illegal immigration issue is what inspired his decision. He released this statement:

"However intended, the result of passing the law is that our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law are being called into question," he said, "and Arizona's already struggling economy will suffer even further setbacks at a time when the state can ill-afford them."

(See photos from the May Day immigration marches in our photo gallery!)

Phoenix guard Steve Nash revealed his reaction to changing uniforms for Cinco De Mayo:

"I think it's fantastic," Nash said after Tuesday's practice. "I think the law is very misguided. I think it's, unfortunately, to the detriment of our society and our civil liberties. I think it's very important for us to stand up for things we believe in. As a team and as an organization, we have a lot of love and support for all of our fans. The league is very multicultural. We have players from all over the world, and our Latino community here is very strong and important to us."

This small step is sure to inspire locals to reevaluate decisions being made in their state, as well as countless sports fans viewing tonight's game. Even the NBA Players Association is against SB 1070; executive director Billy Hunter issued a press release, denouncing the law:

The recent passage of the new immigration law in Arizona is disappointing and disturbing. The National Basketball Players Association strongly supports the repeal or immediate modification of this legislation. Any attempt to encourage, tolerate or legalize racial profiling is offensive and incompatible with basic notions of fairness and equal protection. A law that unfairly targets one group is ultimately a threat to all.

We applaud the actions of Phoenix Suns players and management and join them in taking a stand against the misguided efforts of Arizona lawmakers. We are consulting with our members and our player leadership to determine the most effective way for our union to continue to voice our opposition to this legislation.

Suns general manager Steve Kerr explained that the Suns want to "make sure that people understand that we know what's going on and we don't agree with the law itself."

For a sports team, that's a brave public statement to make, when most keep their political views private.

Tr3s Comunidad, will you be watching today's Suns game? Tell us what you think about their decision in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags arizona, Cinco de Mayo, Immigration, Los Suns, Phoenix Suns, SB 1070, uniforms

By Erika Ramirez

Over the weekend (May 1), Latinos and allies across the country marched to protest our immigration system, striking back against Arizona’s new controversial immigration bill, SB 1070. Our favorite Latino celebrities also took a stand, tweeting their thoughts on the importance of May Day marches.

Tego Calderón (@tegocalderon) tweeted, "Lo de Arizona nos ensena a ser solidarios contra la INJUSTICIA aunque no nos afecte directamente."

Rosario Dawson (@rosariodawson) took time from her dinner with President Obama to show some hashtag love:

Juanes (@juanes) addressed every Latino’s current fear in 15 characters:

George Lopez (@georgelopez) vented his frustration:

"Arizona is so messed it .. The best thing to do is to return it to the original owners .. Mexicans!!"

Some celebs went beyond tweets, documenting the activism they saw around them. Chingo Bling (@chingobling) shared twit pics of those protesting straight from Arizona.

René Pérez (Residente) of @Calle13Oficial linked to this video, tweeting "me acaban de mandar esto ..esta bueno.no a la Ley 1070 en Arizona."

Eva Longoria (@EvaLongoria) felt so strongly that she tweeted an extended link to her Facebook, where she posted this statement:

"What is happening? i feel like i am in a time warp! An aspect of the anti-Mexican hysteria that is getting lost: The Arizona Legislature just passed HB 2281. The previously bill signed by the governor targeted Mexican and Latino immigrants. This bill (passed two days later) goes after Chicana/o Studies, books and stu...dent organizations.

HB 2281 (bill attacking ethnic/raza studies) states that any course, class, instruction, or material may not be primarily designed for pupils of a particular ethnic group as determined by the State Superintendent of Instruction. State aid will be withheld from any school district or charter school that does not comply."

Tr3s Comunidad, what do you think about these tweets? What's your take on the current state of immigration? Tell us in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Chingo Bling, Eva Longoria, GeorgeLopez, Juanes, Rosario Dawson, SB 1070, Tego Calderon, Twitt3r, twitter

(image via trail2010.org)

In a few weeks, an estimated 65,000 undocumented immigrants in the U.S. will graduate from high school, watching their dreams crumble as they struggle to survive. To combat this and other injustices, people across the country will gather on Saturday (May 1) to protest our immigration system.

MTV Tr3s Senior Producer Daniela Capistrano spoke with the Trail of Dreams group about their event in Washington D.C. and the journey that brought them there.

Juan, Felipe, Gaby and Carlos — undocumented Hispanic students in their 20s — took turns on Friday (April 30) introducing themselves to me through a crackling speaker phone, doing their best to condense years of unspeakable hardships.

All graduated high school with honors but were unable to attend universities. All were prohibited at various times from applying for a drivers license or library card. Sadly, each one of them shared similar stories of working odd jobs for less than minimum wage and standing by helplessly while family members were brutally dragged to jail and deported.

These are the voices of the Trail of Dreams group — young activists committed to convincing President Barack Obama to pass the DREAM Act (The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act). Beginning in January 2010, they marched 1,500 miles with other undocumented students and allies to Capitol Hill. On Saturday (May 1) they will stand with over 1,000 other students to demand the basic rights that many of us take for granted.

The DREAM Act, a bipartisan legislation pioneered by Sen. Orin Hatch [R-UT] and Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL], would provide qualifying undocumented youth with a 6 year long conditional path to citizenship that requires completion of a college degree or two years of military service.

"Nobody feels good about the situation these kids are in," says Ira Mehlman, spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which advocates for reduced immigration. "It was the decision of their parents to violate the law that put their children in this difficult situation."

For Carlos Roa, a 22 year old Trail of Dreams member who left Venezuela in 1987 with his parents, the DREAM Act would mean a chance for a new start — without living in fear.

"Senior year was depressing," Carlos recalled. "Friends were looking forward to graduating and their futures, while I felt like my life was going backwards and down the drain. I remember the assistant principal asking me, 'What are you going to do after high school?' I didn't know what to tell him. I ended up saying I was going to join the armed forces, knowing that I couldn't legally do that. After high school, I ended up working [low paying] odd jobs, 6 days a week. It was a difficult time."

After Carlos' mother passed away from cancer in 2006, the honor student who had dreamed of being an architect found himself unemployed and evicted. "It was tough for me," Carlos admitted. "I was 18 years old and I couldn't do anything. About a year after her death I told myself I could no longer live being undocumented or voiceless."

Carlos proceeded to submit his story to newspapers and magazines, eventually reaching Julia Preston at the New York Times. Her response (and other support) led to his involvement in the Trail of Dreams campaign.

(See more photos from their journey in our "Trail of Dreams" photo gallery!)

Gabby Pacheco, a 25 year old activist who remembers racing home after school to watch "TRL" on MTV, feels that everything changed when immigration came to her door. "After that, my activism hit another level. When the Trail of Dreams project was presented to me — after earning 3 degrees and seeing how life was going no where — I knew I had to do something."

Pacheco and her friends are tired after their trek to D.C., but not defeated. They also understand that others are afraid too. On their 1,500-mile walk, they were exposed to the other side of the immigration issue. Felipe Matos shared what it was like to be confronted by a minutemen member who was convinced it was their fault his wife was dying:

"Through out this journey, we've seen the power that sharing stories has on people.

A man in South Carolina who's eyes were watering because he was so angry, [approached us] to say that his wife needed an organ transplant. Because there was no donor, the [doctors] told them she only had a couple of months to live. He told us, 'It's all your fault because immigrants are talking all resources, she will die because of you!' We saw him as a man deeply in love with his wife, who was deeply concerned for her. We shared our story as students, as leaders who have only tried to contribute and we listened to his story and pain.

By the end, Gabby gave him hug and afterward he said, 'I'm sorry, you're completely not what I expected you to be.' So, lots of hearts and minds have changed along the journey. By sharing stories with the President, hopefully we can end this suffering."

Believing in Obama's campaign promises to support the Dream Act and immigration reform, the trekkers are refusing to be satisfied with simply meeting with a White House official — "We want to talk to him," Pacheco says.

For Juan Rodriguez, a 20 year old student from Colombia who lost all of his family through deportation, advocating for the DREAM Act empowers him to move past tragedy and help others. "I've seen how [current immigration law] has torn apart anything that was meaningful in my life. I want those same injustices to stop happening to millions of people facing terror on a daily basis."

With controversial immigration laws pending in Arizona and other states, even U.S. citizens who simply appear Hispanic are in danger of harassment from immigration officials. "We have to do something," Gabby explained. "No more talk — now it's time to act."

Supporters who would like to sign the DREAM Act petition can do so by simply texting TRAIL to 30644 on their mobile phones.

For more ways to show your support, send your feedback to @Trail2010 on Twitter, visit trail2010.org to learn more about the DREAM Act and participate in ongoing immigration events in your town.

The views expressed in this post by Daniela Capistrano do not necessarily reflect the views of Viacom, MTV Tr3s, Blogamole, MTV Networks or any other subsidiaries.

Tags DREAM ACt, Immigration, May 1st, protest, SB 1070, Trail of Dreams

By MTV Tr3s Staff

Over 200,000 people gathered at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Sunday March 21st to express support for the immigration reform promised by President Obama to be a part of "March For America." Buses came filled with the hope of individuals and organizations from all over the nation. Supporters carried signs with such messages as "No Person is Illegal," "Stop the Separation of Families," and "We Work for America."

As stated best by Luis Gutierrez, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Immigration Taskforce:

"We are standing on the doorstep of history… It’s time to let immigrants come out of the shadows into the light and for America to embrace them and protect them."

Among others speaking for a comprehensive immigration reform was Senator Bob Menendez -- currently the only Latino member of the United States Senate -- who said "in the shadow of these civil rights monuments, we must fight to stop separating families."

Rounding out the day were the great sounds of Texas rock band, Los Lonely Boys and Mexican radio personality El Piolín.

Tr3s Comunidad -- Tell us, que piensas de la marcha?  Do you think the time for Immigration Reform has finally come?

Photo via Getty Images

Tags Bob Menendez, El Piolin, Immigration Reform, Los Lonely Boys, Luis Gutierrez, March for America, President Obama

We all know that Shakira is an amazingly talented singer and dancer, pero la sexy Colombiana is also a leading advocate for children and the founder of ALAS, a non-profit organization that promotes Early Childhood Development (ECD) policies in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Yesterday, the Grammy Award-winning artist joined forces with the president of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, to launch an $300 million Early Childhood Initiative.  The program will go towards funding development programs that will provide children from birth to 6 years of age with adequate nutrition, health care, and stimulating environments to give every child a fair start. There are approximately 22 million children in Latin America who have no access to education, and Shakira is making every effort to try to change that and help ensure a more positive future that will boost economic growth, global security, and peace by investing in early education for children. Que buena causa, verdad?

Before arriving at the World Bank, Shakira had the opportunity to discuss with President Obama their shared interest for the promotion of ECD programs in Latinoamerica as well as in the US.
According to Shakira:
"Education has the power to change children’s lives but also the lives of their families and entire communities."

With some small talk about the President's immigration reform, Obama assured the singer that his staff is doing everything possible to address the 11 million undocumented people in the country.

The combined efforts of ALAS and those of the World Bank and other leading organizations ensure a brighter future for the children en países latinos.  Shakira, thank you for being such an influential Agente de Cambio!

Photos via Getty Images and Marlon Correa

Tags Agentes De Cambio, ALAS, Early Childhood Initiative, Education, President Obama, Shakira, World Bank

File this under 'Who could have possibly thought this was a good idea?' Most people dress up as witches, superheroes and vampires for Halloween, but this year it's the "Illegal Alien" costume that's causing major drama!!

That's right a costume making fun of "Illegal Aliens."

Retailers like Target, Walgreens and Amazon have been getting a lot of heat for selling two versions of the costume this Halloween. So what does an "Illegal Alien" look like you ask?

In one version, the "Illegal Alien Adult Costume" comes with an orange prison jumpsuit, with "Illegal Alien" stamped in black across the chest, a space alien mask and a fake Green Card. The other version, the "Illegal Alien Mask with Hat" costume also includes a space alien mask but this time with a dark handlebar mustache and a baseball cap.

Many Latino rights groups have been filing complaints including The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, which sent letters to the retailers asking them to stop selling the costumes immediately.  Target responded this weekend by removing them from their stores and their website.

In a company statement, Target said: "It is never our intent to offend the consumers with the products we offer."

But not everyone is following Target's lead.  Some retailers disagree and say protesters are taking things too seriously. An employee at Ricky's, a costume store in New York City, said: "It's a very well-recommended costume."

Qué Crees?  Outraged?  Si o No?  [CNN]

Tags costume, Halloween, illegal alien, Immigration, offensive, Target, The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angele

The iconic Colombian duo Aterciopelados will perform a special "Tribute To Peacekeeping" Concert at the UN General Assembly Hall on October 23rd.  El dúo Colombiano will join Internationally renowned artists such as Roberta Flack and Harry Belafonte in this concert celebrating United Nations Day.  Among the songs they will perform is their Amnesty International benefit track "The Price of Silence", a song re-worked from their Human Rights Anthem "Canción Protesta".  Watch "The Price of Silence" video featuring artists like Julieta Venegas, Natalie Merchant and Stephen Marley.

The "Tribute To Peacekeeping" Concert comes on the heels of Aterciopelados' first Australian tour and the release of their latest album "Rio", which hits stores October 21st.  The album includes tracks such as their first single "Rio", about a Colombian referendum that declares every citizen's right to clean drinking water as a basic human right, and the track "Bandera" about immigration.  El grupo Colombiano continues to make Latinos proud with their quest to shed light on human rights issues around the world.  Best of luck to Andrea and Héctor on this special concert.  [Nacional Records].

Photo via Getty Images

Tags Andrea Echeverri, Aterciopelados, Cancion Protesta, Colombia, Concert, concierto, Harry Belafonte, Hector Buitrago, Julieta Venegas, Natalie Merchant, Rio, Roberta Flack, Stephen Marley, The Price of Silence, Tribute to Peacekeeping

One of the Latina stars of Ugly Betty, Ana Ortiz, has taken action on behalf of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and written a letter urging the President of the National Council of La Raza to refrain from any future partnerships with McDonalds. McDonald's was the sponsor for the NCLR's conference this year in Chicago.

La razón behind Ana's plea: unfit working conditions and cruel slaughter practices. In her letter, she cites poor wages paid to workers, many of whom are Hispanic immigrants, and goes on to give some graphic description about the company's methods of killing the chickens.

What do you guys think of all this??

Photo via Getty Images

Click after the jump to check out Ana's letter.

Read more...

Tags Ana Ortiz, NCLR, Peta, Ugly Betty

Have you heard? Clothing company American Apparel was forced to fire 1,800 of its employees because of their illegal status. That number happens to be more than a quarter of their work force. Ay! Apparently, the paperwork the employees in question turned in when they were hired had some irregularities. American Apparal had been under a 17 month  investigation  by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency that led to the discovery of all of this.

Now, the reason for the investigation wasn't because American Apparel was exploiting their garment workers. On the contrary, AA employees were provided health insurance, life insurance, and they made decent money.  We're guessing the reason for the investigations started by former Presidente George Dubbya, was that he figured if the ICE investigated the companies he thought were employing illegal immigrants instead of raiding them, there would be less controversy. WRONG!  The firings have definitely stirred up some chaos, with dividing arguments being thrown around the city of Los Angeles.

With the unemployment rate where it is right now, it's no wonder the chief executive of American Apparel, Dov Charney protested with his employers against the firings over the summer. Mr. Charney says that "no matter how you we chose to define or label them, illegal immigrants are hard-working, taxpaying workers." In efforts to campaign to grant legal status to illegal immigrants, American Apparel has come out with t-shirts that display "Legalize LA." [New York Times ]

Que piensan de todo esto?

Photos via Google Images

Tags American Apparel, George Bush, Immigration, Immigration and Custons Enforcement Agency, Legalize LA, Los-Angeles