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These are times of change. Today, President Barack Obama will be talking to the youth of the Nation and answering questions from the studio audience as well as those submitted from viewers via Twitter. Tr3s wants your opinions and feedback! Come join "la gente" and share your thoughts and your opinions on this 'Conversation with President Obama'.

You can watch it all right here on Tr3s.com starting today at 4pm EST. ¡No te lo pierdas!

Tags A conversation with President Obama, MTV NEws, Obama, President Obama

image via Bashira Webb for MTV Tr3s

“¡Obama, escucha, estamos en la lucha!” At the Cinco de Mayo party in the White House, President Obama attempted to demonstrate that he has been paying attention to recent protests, addressing concerns that his focus on immigration has waned.

According to NPR, Obama stated that he wants a comprehensive immigration bill that not only bolsters border security but also provides a path to legalization for the approximately 11 million illegal immigrants in the country.

Calling the needed changes "tough," the President clarified his stance. "I know there's been some commentary over the last week since I talked about this difficult issue," Obama said Wednesday. "Of course it's going to be tough; that's the truth. Anybody who tells you it's going to be easy or says I can wave a magic wand and make it happen hasn't been paying attention to how this town works."

Notably, Obama didn't use Cinco De Mayo to provide an update on the DREAM Act, a bill that — if passed — 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.

(See photos from recent immigration protests in our May Day March gallery!)

The President has yet to respond to the Trail of Dreams activists who have been waiting to meet with him in D.C., resulting in student walkouts across the nation and a flurry of activity under the #todream Twitter hashtag.

Last week, when Obama told reporters there might not be an appetite on Capitol Hill for immigration reform, many in the Latino community thought he was backing away from the issue. "I want to begin work this year, and I want Democrats and Republicans to work with me," he said.

Obama will have another opportunity to talk about the issue on May 19, when Mexico's leader arrives in Washington for an official state visit.

Tr3s Comunidad, what do you think about President Obama's process to address immigration reform? Tell us in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Immigration, President Obama, SB 1070, the DREAM Act

By Daniela Capistrano

The interwebs is abuzz with the news that during President Obama's address today (April 15), at Florida's Kennedy Space Center, our commander in chief announced his plans for a manned mission to Mars.

According to InformationWeek, President Obama called on NASA scientists and engineers to launch a mission to Mars within three decades.

In case you were wondering, the moon is so last century. Obama told NASA officials they should focus on conquering new frontiers instead of revisiting the lunar surface, where astronauts have already set foot. The plan would terminate the space shuttle program by year's end, outsource launches to private contractors, and cancel major portions of a project that would have returned humans to the moon by 2020.

The space agency will receive a $6 billion funding increase over the next five years under his proposed federal budget.

Obama added: "By the mid-2030s, I believe we can send humans to orbit Mars and return them safely to Earth, and a landing on Mars will follow."

As a sci-fi geek, I am all for space travel — but the idea of earmarking $6 billion for excursions to Mars seems, well, bananers. Why? Let's look at some standing issues that could definitely benefit from $6 billion dollars:

The Deficit
Oh HAI, aren't we still in debt? Last I checked, we owed over 12 TRILLION dollars and counting. Did we forget that? Planning to go to Mars any time soon is like me planning to buy a chinchilla fur muumuu when I still owe (insert unholy amount) on my college loans. How can our President counsel us to spend wisely during a recession and then decide that a $6 billion trip to Mars would be prudent at any juncture?

Is the cure for AIDS on Mars? No? Then why don't we pay back all these countries we're borrowing from, before we're "that guy" at the party who keeps bumming cigarettes and asking for a ride home. I hate that guy!

Education
Remember back in history class, when your teacher pulled out that taped up textbook that still used the words "coloreds" and thought the President was Eisenhower? Does anyone remember that, or did that just happen to me? Anyhoo, my humble position is that the U.S. Education System is a reeking cow pie of FAIL. Teachers are overworked and underpaid, there's an overwhelming lack of technology, sex education is a useless LULZfest, students memorize a battery of test questions instead of actually learning, and ensuring the madness continues is No Child Left Behind.

Before President Obama gives any more money to NASA, I challenge him to contact these children and say "Sorry, kids. We can't fix it so you can go back to your school, but guess what! One day you can go to Mars!"

I bet every teacher in America can think of a better way to use $6 billion, how about you?

Employment
I'm sure a future Mars space station will create more openings at NASA. However, for the rest of the Americans who are still struggling to find jobs, perhaps a better use of $6 billion would be to offer tax breaks, free job training and small business grants. Just sayin'.

In his speech, Obama said the space program is not a luxury but a necessity for the United States. I think there are several veterans, cancer patients, domestic abuse victims, stuggling immigrants, overwhelmed business owners and college students facing very real issues who would disagree. Even Neil Armstrong thinks this plan stinks!

2030 may seem like a long time from now, but if we can find billions that we don't have to spend on Mars planning, let's dig up a billion or two for these three issues as well.

(image via AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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 mars, op-ed, President Obama

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

Last night's Nobel Peace Prize Concert in honor of President Obama took place in Oslo, Norway.  El concierto, which was hosted by Will Smith y su esposa, Jada Pickett Smith, and included a performance by Wyclef Jean,  also counted con un invitado Latino - none other than Latin Grammy-winning cantante Luis Fonsi!

Ay, now there's a photo you can frame and show el mundo entero!  We wonder if he'll put it on the mantelpiece next to his Latin Grammy?

Photo via Dinamo Story

Tags Latin Grammy, Luis Fonsi, Nobel Peace Prize Concert, President Obama

Earlier this week, President Obama and the First Lady celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by inviting over some major estrellas de la música Latina, and some other famous celebs. But we have a weakness for Aventura (doesn't everyone?), so we're bringing you a clip of their performance of "Su Veneno," courtesy of PBS and MTV News. Listen up for Romeo's recount of a conversation with the President, and a shout out to Justice Sotomayor, who's also from the Bronx!

Enjoy!

Tags Aventura, Hispanic Heritage Month, President Obama, Su Veneno, Video

Photo Via Getty Images

Earlier we reported that President Obama has become the newest reciepient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Now we want to share with you a letter from our Presidente:

This morning, Michelle and I awoke to some surprising and humbling news. At 6 a.m., we received word that I'd been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.

To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize--men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.

But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's been also used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.

That is why I've said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won't all be met during my presidency or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it's recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.

This award-- and the call to action that comes with it-- does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.

So today we humbly recommit to the important work that we've begun together. I'm grateful that you've stood with me thus far, and I'm honored to continue our vital work in the years to come.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama.

[mybarackobama.com]

Tags letter, Nobel Peace Prize, President Obama

Congratulations are in order para nuestro presidente esta mañana! President Obama has been honored with a Nobel Peace Prize.  Some people are saying it's too soon, as the President has only been active for 9 months, and some are even calling it shocking.  Still, others are celebrating.  Si se puede!

According to the Committe, the president received the award for his "efforts to strengthen international diplomacy," his "vision of work and for a world without nuclear weapons" and for inspiring hope and for creating "a new climate in international politics." The President is the first to receive a Nobel Peace Prize while active in office.

What do you think? Was it too soon, or just right? In any case, we definitely have to give it up to our President! Felicitaciones and keep up the good work! [CNN]

Photo Via Getty Images

Tags Nobel Peace Prize, Politics, President Obama

First comes the White House, next viene la gira?  As we had mentioned Aventura is set to rock the house, the White House that is for President Obama and the Mrs. on Oct 13th, as part of "In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina. " The Music Special will air on PBS on Oct 15th, and the kings of Bachata will join Marc Anthony, José Feliciano, George Lopez, Jimmy Smits, Gloria Estefan and more!! We cannot wait for that! Romeo says, "It is a great honor for Aventura to take part in this special event at the White House. We are thrilled to be able to represent the Dominican culture and bring the sound of Bachata to an even wider audience."

Photo via Getty Images

Well that's great that they're performing for our President but what about us? We want to see them too! Pues they are gearing up to do a U.S. Arena Tour!  To see tour dates just click after the jump! Tickets for New York's Madison Square Garden go on sale October 8th!

Read more...

Tags Aventura, PBS, President Obama, The White House, Tour