Happy Labor Day ●  ¡Feliz Día del Trabajo!

Opinion - Opinión

From the Frying Pan to the Fire:

We’ve Seen This Before

We came to America to escape authoritarian socialism. We fled Venezuela’s collapsing economy, Nicaragua’s repression, and Argentina’s endless cycles of corruption and state control. We believed America was different. But under Donald Trump, many of us now feel we have leapt from the frying pan straight into the fire.

We recognize the tactics. In Venezuela, Chávez and Maduro forced companies to surrender profits and ownership to the state, claiming it was for the people. We watched our economies collapse, our jobs disappear, our children go hungry. Now we hear Trump demanding that companies like Intel hand over 10% of their shares to the government, or that NVIDIA give up a chunk of its profits. That isn’t capitalism. That is the same authoritarian socialism we ran from.

We know what it looks like when education and science are silenced. In Nicaragua, Ortega punished universities. In Cuba, intellectual life was chained to politics. Today, Trump threatens to choke off billions in research funding at universities unless they obey his politics. He wants to slash science budgets and replace merit with loyalty tests. We have lived through this before—and it leaves nations weaker, poorer, and broken.

We also know the cost of political leaders who weaken central banks. In Mexico, when politicians undermined the independence of the Bank of Mexico, inflation skyrocketed and interest rates crushed families. Across Latin America, from Argentina to Brazil, we saw savings evaporate and economies spiral because governments treated monetary policy like a campaign tool. Now Trump threatens the independence of the Federal Reserve, demanding cheap money for his own political gain. We know exactly where that leads: explosive inflation, punishing interest rates, and working families paying the price.

We know that Trump's aggressive use of tariffs is a hidden tax on the people—imposed without Congress. By slapping duties on imported goods, he drives up the cost of food, cars, electronics, and essentials. Working families bear the brunt, just as citizens did under Latin American regimes where rising taxes and import controls made daily life more expensive and unpredictable.

And we know what repression feels like. Leaders unleash police and soldiers against their own people, always in the name of “order.” Trump demonizes immigrants, sends federal agents into cities, and undermines courts and elections. We have lived through this before.

We know where this road leads. Latin America paid the price in lost generations, failed economies, and broken democracies. If Americans don’t see through Trump’s con, we could be next.

A recent cabinet meeting.

"I have the right to do anything I want"

By Camilo Montoya-Galvez

Updated on: August 31, 2025

A federal judge on Sunday blocked the Trump administration from sending any unaccompanied migrant child to Guatemala unless they have a deportation order, just hours after lawyers alerted her of what they described as a hurried government effort to deport hundreds of children.

U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle Sooknanan issued her order as the deportation effort was fully underway, with planes with migrant children on board ready to take off from Texas.

Earlier Sunday, in the overnight hours, Sooknanan issued a temporary restraining order barring officials from sending a group of 10 migrant children between the ages of 10 and 17 to Guatemala, granting a request from attorneys who alleged the effort would skirt legal protections Congress established for these minors. She also scheduled a hearing in the afternoon to weigh the case's next steps.

But Sooknanan abruptly moved up the hearing earlier on Sunday, saying she had been alerted that some migrant children were already in the process of being deported.

As that hearing got underway, Sooknanan announced she had just issued a broader temporary restraining order blocking any deportations of unaccompanied children from Guatemala and in U.S. custody who did not have a deportation order. She instructed Drew Ensign, the Justice Department lawyer representing the Trump administration, to quickly inform officials they had to halt their deportation plans.

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Sooknanan conceded her temporary restraining order, which is set to last 14 days, is "extraordinary" but justified it on the grounds that the government had decided to "execute a plan to remove these children" in the "wee hours" of a holiday weekend.

In their lawsuit, lawyers for the group of Guatemalan children said the Trump administration had launched an effort to deport more than 600 migrant minors to Guatemala without allowing them to request humanitarian protection, even though U.S. law protects them from speedy deportations. They alleged the children could face abuse, neglect or persecution if returned to Guatemala.

Ensign, the Justice Department attorney, said the Trump administration was not trying to formally deport the Guatemalan children under U.S. immigration law, but instead repatriate them to Guatemala so they could reunite with relatives there. He said the Guatemalan government and the children's relatives had requested the reunifications.

But lawyers for the children disputed the government's claims, citing one case in which they say a child's parents did not request any repatriation. They also said a law known as the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act says unaccompanied migrant children who are not from Mexico must be allowed to see an immigration judge and apply for legal protections before any deportation effort. Some of the children facing return to Guatemala still have pending immigration cases, the attorneys said.

Read the entire story HERE.

Current Events - Eventos Actuales

August 25, 2025

Alarming conditions at ICE Field Office in Chantilly, VA

We just learned from VACIR* that people rounded up in DC are being detained at the ICE Field Office in Chantilly, VA – In overcrowded conditions (up to 100 people in a room), at most 1 meal a day, little water. 

Chantilly is NOT a detention center – its purpose is to hold people for a short time (12 hrs) for processing. Instead, people are held there for days on end, in spaces with no beds, no showers, and some sleeping in the bathrooms.

Click above to read the Poder VA press release in English and Spanish.

Immigration Agents Arrest Firefighters Combatting Bear Gulch Wildfire

August 28, 2025

By Nikki McCann Ramirez

Federal officials arrested two firefighters on Wednesday during what appeared to be an immigration raid on first responders combating the ongoing Bear Gulch wildfire in Washington state. The arrests come as the Trump administration continues to insist that its nationwide crackdown on undocumented immigration is primarily targeting criminals and gang members.  

According to a report from The Seattle Times, a spokesperson for the Incident Management Team responding to the blaze said that they were “aware of a Border Patrol operation on the fire.” According to sources who spoke to the Times — including firefighters who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation — federal agents spent over three hours running identification checks on two contracted response crews. 

“You risked your life out here to save the community,” one firefighter said. “This is how they treat us.” The firefighter added that they and others were instructed not to record their interactions with law enforcement. 

Another firefighter told the Times that the men who were arrested were not allowed to say goodbye to the rest of the crew. “I asked them if his [family] can say goodbye to him because they’re family, and they’re just ripping them away,” the firefighter said. “And this is what he said: ‘You need to get the (expletive) out of here. I’m gonna make you leave.’”

The move to conduct immigration enforcement raids on an active emergency response, and on emergency responders themselves, is a stark departure from past Department of Homeland Security policies. Under the Biden administration, the department had clear policies stating that “absent exigent circumstances, immigration enforcement will not be conducted at locations where disaster and emergency response and relief is being provided.” 

In another departure, the DHS has moved to ban aid groups and state organizations receiving federal funds from providing emergency response assistance to undocumented migrants. The new guidelines, first reported on Wednesday by The Washington Post, state that groups may not “operate any program that benefits illegal immigrants or incentivizes illegal immigration.” The guidance requires organizations to cooperate with ICE and immigration enforcement, forcing them to “provide access to detainees, such as when an immigration officer seeks to interview a person who might be a removable alien,” and prohibiting them from “harboring, concealing, or shielding from detection illegal aliens.”

Essentially, the new guidelines would require volunteer groups and other aid agencies to verify the immigration status of an individual before providing support in the aftermath of a flood, hurricane, wildfire, or other disaster. 

At the same time, the administration has revoked guidelines preventing ICE and immigration officials from detaining migrants at hospitals, churches, schools, and even immigration hearings. For the Trump administration, the spaces and places where an already marginalized community are at their most vulnerable are hunting grounds for detention quotas.

LISTEN: Abigail Spanberger Hits the Airwaves to Reach Hispanic Virginians About Her Focus on Lowering Costs for Virginia Families

This Spanish Language Radio Ad Featuring Spanberger, Who Is Fluent in Spanish, Will Air Across Norfolk, Richmond, & DC stations.

The Spanberger for Governor campaign released its first Spanish-language radio ad, highlighting Spanberger’s demonstrated focus on making Virginia more affordable and Winsome Earle-Sears’ record of raising costs on everyday Virginians.

The new radio ad titled, “Los Costos” highlights Winsome Earle-Sears’ vote for a sales tax on groceries and support for Donald Trump’s cuts to public education lowering costs for Virginia families.

Special Election - Elección especial

September 9 - 2025 - 9 de septiembre

11th Congressional District - 11.º distrito del Congreso

James Walkinshaw

James Walkinshaw

Click above to get involved.

Click on the Fairfax Votes site for current information and locations

Events - Eventos

Click above for more information.

Click above to learn more.

¿Qué Pasa?

Festival of Herndon

September 14, 2025 @ 12 - 6 pm

Lynn Street & Surrounding Areas

777 Lynn St., Herndon, VA 20170

Kick-off Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating at the annual ¿Qué Pasa? Festival of Herndon! This festival features a diverse array of activities, including live music and performances, authentic Latin/Hispanic cuisine, artisanal crafts, interactive workshops, and much more. Attendees can expect to be immersed in the vibrant Latin/Hispanic culture, experiencing the sights, rhythmic sounds, and incredible flavors that make it so unique.

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for (audience)? Why should they care (benefit)? What do I want them to do (call-to-action)?

Create a great offer by adding words like "free," "personalized," "complimentary," or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take action, so consider inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"

Latino Leaders Network

8th Cafecito Series

September 15, 2025

The Latino Leaders Network is proud to announce the 8th Cafecito Series on July 30th, 2025, at the National Education Association in Washington, DC, featuring Jasmin Chavez Cruz as the recipient of our Rising Star Award! 🌟 This prestigious award celebrates a rising Latino/a changemaker demonstrating remarkable leadership, potential, and commitment to community impact.

Read Jasmin's biography HERE.

Click the picture above to learn more.

Festival Latinoamericano

September 27, 2025 @ 5 - 9 pm

Arlington Mill Community Center

909 S Dinwiddie St, Arlington, VA 22204

Enjoy the rich tapestry of Latin American art, food, and culture found right here in Arlington, celebrating the vibrant and diverse cultures that enrich our community. Our mission is to showcase the rich tapestry of Latin American art, food, and culture in Arlington County, providing a platform for local artists, chefs, and performers to share their talents and traditions with the public.

Festival Latinoamericano is FREE. Registration is not required, but heavily encouraged to allow us to have an accurate count of anticipated attendance.

Manassas Latino Festival

September 27, 2025 @ 11 am - 6 pm

The Loy E. Harris Pavilion

9201 Center Street

Manassas, VA 20110

The Manassas Latino Festival is an annual event which includes live music, dance performances, diverse foods and other fun activities for the entire family, all in celebration of the cultural heritage and contributions of the Latin American community to our City, surrounding areas and to our nation. 

The Manassas Latino Festival is a project of Sambos USA, Inc.

Fiesta DC

September 27 & 28 @ 11 am - 7 pm

Pennsylvania Ave NW

between 7th NW and 3rd St NW

Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Fiesta DC! This two-day extravaganza transforms Washington, D.C. into a global fiesta celebrating Latino cultures. Savor authentic and diverse Latin American cuisine, lose yourself in the infectious rhythms of live music and dance performances, and explore a marketplace brimming with handcrafted artisan creations. Fiesta DC is a celebration for all ages, offering engaging activities and fostering a spirit of community and cultural exchange.

30th Annual

Kennedy-King Dinner 2025

October 23, 2025

6:00 pm reception; 7:00 pm dinner

Doubletree by Hilton Crystal City

300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington 22202

Featuring Special Guests

Congressmen Don Beyer & Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42)

We come together from across Northern Virginia to celebrate the legacies and aspirations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, to advance the Democratic Party’s mission for peace, justice and equality, and to Turn Virginia Blue.

PURCHASE YOUR TABLE OR TICKETS EARLY TO SECURE PREFERRED SEATING VIA KENNEDYKING.NET

Rep. Don Beyer (VA - 8)

Rep. Robert Garcia (CA - 42)

Meet the Candidates and Get Involved

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Statewide Candidates

We have excellent candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. Click on any picture to learn more about the candidate and how you can help.

Abigail Spanberger

for Governor

Ghazala Hashmi

for Lieutenant Governor

Jay Jones

for Attorney General

Click HERE to download talking points for Jay Jones.

Latino Candidates for House of Delegates

Alfonso Lopez

District 3 (Arlington & Alexandria)

Elizabeth Guzmán

District 22 (Prince William County)

Michelle Maldonado

District 20 (Manassas and Manassas Park)

Fernando “Marty” Martinez

District 29 (Leesburg)

Phil Hernandez

District 94 (Norfolk)

Alfonso Lopez, the first Latino Democrat elected to the General Assembly, has led efforts to pass the Virginia DREAM Act and expand driver’s license access for immigrants.

Elizabeth Guzmán was the first Latina elected to the Virginia General Assembly in its 200-year history and is now running to continue bringing inclusive, values-driven leadership to one of Virginia’s most competitive districts, while capturing for the Democrats the last Republican-held seat in Prince William County.

Michelle Maldonado is a long-time resident of Prince William County and the City of Manassas and has proudly served in the House of Delegates fighting for families, a cleaner and greener economy, accessible and affordable housing, healthcare and reproductive rights, technology and innovation to keep Virginia competitive, and funding for schools and teachers as our students recover from learning loss.

Phil Hernandez, a civil rights attorney and former Obama administration official, brings a strong policy background to the legislature and is fighting for public education and working families.

Fernando Martínez, elected in 2023, is a rising voice for housing affordability, immigrant protections, and inclusive economic growth in Northern Virginia.

https://www.youtube.com/@FCDCLatinoCaucus

Latino Caucus

Fairfax County

Democratic Committee

Click HERE to join FCDC

www.FairfaxDemocrats.org

 ‌or HERE to join our mailing list



Maritza Zermeño — Chair

Marta Calderon — Secretary

Leonel Rojas — Social Media Master



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