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By Michael Lopez

Since the founding of our country more than two centuries ago, the annual State of the Union address has provided our nation's presidents the opportunity to speak directly to U.S. citizens about our country's problems, successes, goals and agendas. This week, President Barack Obama did exactly that, addressing such issues as innovation, job creation, taxes, health care and immigration, and pushing Congress to pass The DREAM Act.

“I know that debate will be difficult and take time, but tonight, let’s agree to make that effort,” he said, adding that he was "prepared to work with Republicans and Democrats to protect our borders, enforce our laws and address the millions of undocumented workers who are now living in the shadows."

"Let's stop expelling talented, responsible young people who can staff our research labs, start new businesses and further enrich this nation."

President Obama's call to action revives a contentious debate about immigration reform. Despite Democratic efforts to push the bill through Congress by the end of 2010, Senate Republicans blocked the measure in September, which would have allowed undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children to remain in the country pending two years of college or military service.

“I think it was good that he mentioned it, but I was hoping for more," Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., told Fox News. "When he talked about it, I thought there’d be a broader discussion than what I heard.”

Republican Texas Rep. Lamar Smith disagrees, in large part because of the country's current economic situation.

"The President should put American workers first," Smith said. "While more than 14 million Americans are desperately looking for work, seven million illegal immigrants have jobs in the U.S."

Honestly, it's virtually impossible to delve into specific details about everything happening in America during a one-hour speech. But we're glad he stood up for this landmark legislation.

What did you think of President Obama’s State of the Union address? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Barack Obama, Daniel Hernandez, DREAM ACt, Immigration, Politics, President Obama, State Of The Union, the DREAM Act

By Michael Lopez

When Blogamole first heard about this story, we thought it was a joke. Do disenchanted Latino voters across the country really want to launch a Tequila Party? In the same way that the Tea Party formed its own movement within the Republican realm, rumors are flying that Democratic Latinos may form their own sect, too.

Although he didn't come up with the concept, Fernando Romero, president of Nevada’s Hispanics in Politics, recently told Fox News Latino that support for a Tequila Party movement is growing fast in his home state:

“We don’t have immigration reform. And by the looks of it, it isn’t going to happen. We were impressed, like I think everyone else was, by the strength the Tea Party showed. And we thought, ‘Why not do, basically, the same thing?”

Why? To begin with, the Senate's failure to pass the DREAM Act last September was a major blow to immigration reform activists. We all knew conservative Republicans would vote against the measure —  which would allow undocumented immigrants who are under age 30 and came to the U.S. as children to remain in the country pending two years of college or military service — but some Latinos felt disappointed with Democrats, too. Could the Dems have fought a little harder? It depends who you ask. Some Dems, including President Barack Obama, are trying to push the bill through Congress before the end of the year, but it continues to be an uphill battle.

Then, there’s that other situation in Arizona. The state stirred up tons of controversy this summer when it passed SB 1070, an anti-immigration law that made it a state crime for non-U.S. citizens to be there without their papers and cracks down on anyone who shelters illegal immigrants. Although a judge issued a federal injunction to block the most controversial parts of the law, many Latino voters felt their voices were ignored throughout the legislative process. And don’t get us started on Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s “illegal alien hunting posse.”

In all honesty, the Tea Party may not be the best political role model to follow. In case you forgot, they were the strongest supporters of SB 1070 and have taken strong stances against amnesty for undocumented immigrants. Plus, is it really wise to call it a Tequila Party? We love Cuervo as much as the next blog, but if you want to be taken seriously in Washington, that may not be the best name for your cause.

So, while we definitely agree that it's time to tackle these big issues, we don’t think you need a kitschy name or polarizing spokesperson to do it. Learn about the issues and hit those politicians where it hurts — at the voting booths!

What do you think of forming a Tequila Party? Sound off below or @MTV3!

Tags Cultura, Deep Thoughts, Politics, SB 1070, Tea Party, Tequila Party, the DREAM Act

by Wendaline Perez

Hope was at an all-time high yesterday (September 21) among youth, political and community activists around the nation who have been relentlessly advocating for the passage of the DREAM act - which would give the chance for thousands of undocumented students to remain in the U.S. legally and pursue a higher education – as they awaited to hear the Senate’s verdict on the passage of the Defense Authorization Act, which included passing the DREAM Act as an Amendment this afternoon. Unfortunately their DREAM evaporated when a group of Republican senators voted to block the defense bill in the Senate.

photo via Getty Images

The Senate failed to raise the necessary 60 votes to pass the Defense Authorization Act, but it was in no doubt a close call. The vote was uncertain all the way up to the vote as Democratic leaders were reportedly trying to negotiate an agreement with Republican senators who were against the bill to reach the 60-vote count they needed to proceed. In the end, the vote was 56 to 43 against proceeding to the Defense Authorization Act.

Deferral of the DREAM Act is a setback to DREAM Act advocates who were hopeful they had the votes to pass the bill this time. Mary Giovagnoli, Director of the Immigration Policy Center, responded quickly to the Senate’s decision stating:

"The Senators who voted 'no' today are ignoring unequivocal evidence that the DREAM Act is good for military readiness, the American workforce and the U.S. economy. The energy and enthusiasm of thousands of young people who have poured themselves into promoting the DREAM Act has not been wasted, however. Because of their efforts, more people today understand the importance of DREAM to our economy, our military, and the future of our country than ever before."

What do you think about the Senate’s rejection of the DREAM Act? Sound off in the comments below or @MTV3!

Tags Cultura, Education, Immigration, Politics, the DREAM Act

Sonia, an undocumented student attending NYC's Hunter College, sat in the back of a room at the New York Times building on the night of September 7 and listened to a politically and culturally diverse panel discuss a subject that impacts her life every day: immigration. Tr3s and Blogamole were there for a screening of the documentary film 9500 Liberty, in which filmmakers Annabel Park and Eric Byler were able the capture what can happen when words instill fear in a small community and political ambition leads to controversial policies. You can catch 9500 Liberty premiering simultaneously on Tr3s, MTVU, and MTV2 on September 26 at 8 PM.

Co-sponsored by VOCES and MTV Networks, a forum discussion about 9500 Liberty and the topic of immigration took place after viewing the film. Contribuyendo al tema were actor/comedian Paul Rodriguez, ABC News Primetime anchor John Quiñones, Executive Director of the Police Executive Research Forum, Chuck Wexler, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Voto Latino, Maria Teresa Kumar, Chairman of Prince William Board of County Supervisors in Virginia, Corey Stewart, and director/producer of the film Annabel Park. The discussion was moderated by NY Times reportera Fernanda Santos, who ensured that everyone had a fair chance to voice their opinions both on the immigration issue and 9500 Liberty.

photos by Bashira Webb

Y como surgió la película? Fué curiosidad lo que motivó la pareja when Park and Byler first started documenting the tensions that were evolving in Prince William County, Virginia in 2007. There was a growing fear and divisiveness taking place in Byler’s hometown that was being used as a political tool to get local county chairmen like Corey Stewart re-elected into office. The filmmakers began recording the growing debate and posting videos on YouTube, which brought nationwide attention to this federal issue being handled at a local level.

Watch the trailer for 9500 Liberty below and get more info on the ground-breaking documentary after the cut!

Read more...

Tags 9500 Liberty, Annabel Park, Chuck Wexler, Corey Stewart, Eric Byler, Fernanda Santos, Greg Letiecq, Immigration, John Quiñones, Liberty Wall, Maria Teresa Kumar, MTV2, mtvU, paul rodriguez, SB 1070, the DREAM Act, Tr3s, Voces, Voto Latino

Cypress Hill announced on Tuesday (May 11) that they had canceled an upcoming concert in Arizona to protest the state’s controversial immigration laws. The Latino rappers are showing their support for immigrants and allies by dropping their performance in Tucson, which was set to take place May 21.

The group released this statement for fans:

“This decision was made in an effort to show support and solidarity with those, undocumented and otherwise, being directly affected by this unconstitutional law. Cypress Hill recognizes those living in the struggle for their basic civil rights.”

Cypress Hill is part of a growing list of celebrities who are speaking out against Arizona's bill, SB 1070. Shakira, Juanes, Rosario Dawson and others are demanding reform such as the DREAM Act, which would provide undocumented students with a conditional path to citizenship.

On May 1st, students and activists held marches and protests all over the nation to fight for immigration reform.

Even California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has raised his concerns. "I was also going to give a graduation speech in Arizona this weekend," he joked at a recent press conference. "But with my accent, I was afraid they would try to deport me."

Do you think that celebrity support is helping or hurting the immigration controversy? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags arizona, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Cypress Hill, Immigration, Juanes, MTV NEws, Rosario Dawson, SB 1070, Shakira, the DREAM Act

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