Monthly Archives: October 2013

Alabama’s “Papers, Please” Law Gets the Boot

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HB_56

Photo: KennethLipp (creative commons)

Another nail has been put in the coffin of bigotry in Alabama.  Earlier this week, the draconian anti-immigrant law HB 56, or the “papers, please” law, was essentially gutted thanks to an agreement reached in the case HICA v. Bentley.  Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama (¡HICA!), an NCLR Affiliate, was the main plaintiff in the case against the state and has been working tirelessly to put an end to HB 56.

Despite numerous warnings from NCLR and other civil rights groups that the law was unconstitutional, it remained on the books.  ¡HICA! was undeterred and worked with several organizations, including NCLR, to challenge it in the courts.  The agreement reached this week, severely limits the racial profiling portion of the law, which allowed Alabama police officers to request the documentation of anyone they suspected of being unauthorized to be in the United States.

Along with Arizona, South Carolina, and Georgia, Alabama has now had its ugly law eliminated.  Continue reading →

Using the Affordable Care Act to Prevent Breast Cancer

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Photo: Tips Times (creative commons)

If you were in the aisle of any grocery store this month, it would have been hard to miss the fact that it was Breast Cancer Awareness month.  This year, as the month draws to a close, there is even more brightness to that lovely hue of pink emanating from yogurt tops and macaroni boxes to be excited about:  new qualified health plans that guarantee health services for breast health and cancer prevention!  The new plans are part of the Affordable Care Act’s open enrollment period.

From now on, all health insurance plans must cover access to preventive health services recommended by the National Preventive Health Services Task Force, including specified services for women such as to mammograms after the age of 40 and to other diagnostics, genetic screening, and preventive treatment at an earlier age if you are at higher risk of breast cancer because of your health status or family history.  Services must be free to you even if you haven’t met the terms of an insurance plan’s deductible.  Ensuring that financial barriers don’t come between someone’s ability to stay healthy and prevent disease is a vital piece of the Affordable Care Act.  It’s the part of the law that will save all of us money and keep more of us healthier longer.  Continue reading →

Send Money Abroad With More Confidence

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This is a guest blog post by Zixta Q. Martinez, Associate Director, External Relations, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

ZixtaMartinez_CFPB

Zixta Martinez, Associate Director, External Affaris, CFPB

Do you send money to family, friends or others outside the United States? Now it’s easier to get clear information about costs and exchange rates before you pay, and get answers if something goes wrong.

Consumers send tens of billions of dollars from the United States to foreign countries each year. Not surprisingly, a large share is sent to Latin America and many of the senders are of Hispanic origin. In fact, remittances and other transfers from abroad are so prevalent to Latin America, it is estimated they make up a significant share of the GDP in a number of Latin American countries. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recognizes the importance of the growing Latino population and is committed to addressing concerns unique to the Hispanic community.  Continue reading →

New Rules Will Make Money Transfers Abroad Safer

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Source: WIkipedia Commons (image linked to page)

Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will begin implementing a new rule that will make it safer and cheaper to send money to loved ones abroad.  Consumers wire billions of dollars to foreign countries every year, but remittance providers can sometimes tack unnecessary, exorbitant costs onto those money transfers.  In 2009 alone, immigrants from Mexico wired almost $23 billion in remittances and spent an estimated $1.5 billion in fees and other costs to perform these transactions.  With the adoption of these new provisions, consumers will finally have the information they need to make good decisions about remittance products and the confidence of knowing that a consumer watchdog is looking after their interests in this market.

The new provisions require that:

  • Financial institutions must provide full disclosure to consumers before accepting payment.
  • Disclosures must include the exchange rate, fees, and the amount of money to be delivered.
  • Proof of payment, along with the date the money will be received, must also be provided to the consumer.
  • Companies providing remittance transfers are responsible for any errors that occur.

NCLR applauds the CFPB for pushing new banking and financial reform efforts that directly help Latinos and other immigrants.  The remittance market is huge but historically has been loosely regulated.  Thankfully, the CFPB has worked collaboratively with groups like NCLR to ensure that our concerns are addressed.  These provisions will help consumers better understand up front what they are paying for, giving them the opportunity to shop for the best deal.  Having worked on this issue for years, NCLR is pleased to see this sensible outcome and will continue working with the CFPB to make sure these new rules work for everyone.

NCLR Looks Forward to Working with the JPMorgan Chase Foundation

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NCLR is pleased to announce a significant grant from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation this month that will enable us to advance our core mission of improving opportunities for Hispanic Americans.

With this new investment, NCLR and the JPMorgan Chase Foundation are building on a long history of shared growth and success.  This year’s grant will support critical NCLR programs that are helping low- and moderate-income Latino families recover from the recession and regain their financial footing.  Essential to this effort is the NCLR Homeownership Network (NHN), which provides first-time homebuyer and foreclosure prevention counseling and trains NCLR Affiliates who are working on the front lines in Latino communities across the country. Continue reading →

Ghostly Greetings

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Halloween is fast approaching and we know what that means…costumes!  Forget the candy—the best part about Halloween is getting to dress up.  But we have to be careful with our costume ideas.  What should be a frivolous and fun holiday sometimes crosses the line into offensive territory.  There are countless stories about costume parties that took their themes too far, and many times, Latinos end up being the butt of unfunny and incorrect jokes.

So instead of going for a stereotypical costume that could land you in a hot cauldron, try out some ideas that will elevate our Latino heritage this year.

***All images used are linked to original source.***

CINEMA 

WEST SIDE STORY       Frida        Skyfall trailer pic 7

Latinos have made their presence known in cinema for years, so why not celebrate some of their most glamorous and exciting portrayals?  Look out for a fitted purple dress with ruffles and smolder as Anita from West Side Story, who was portrayed by award-winning actress Rita Moreno.  Or you can go as artist Frida Khalo, who was brought to life on the silver screen by Salma Hayek.  Meanwhile, guys can try a more macho and villainous look—think Bond’s latest bad guy, played by Javier Bardem, with that hideous blond wig and all.  Bonus points if you have a friend who will dress up as 007.

MUSIC

carlos santana         celia cruz         selena

Everyone loves a guy with a guitar.  Throw one over your shoulder, put on a fedora, and magically become Carlos Santana.  But when it comes to music, women get to go for the real glam here.  What better way to celebrate Latinas than to go over the top, Celia Cruz–style?  Besides her tremendous voice, the queen of salsa was known for her outrageous looks, so don’t shy away from the sequins, feathers, and sparkles.  And if you’re feeling more of a ’90s vibe, Selena is your go-to girl.

TELEVISION

Lucy and Ricky        Santana Glee         Ugly Betty

Make it a family affair and go as one of television’s most iconic comedy couples.  Ricky and Lucy have the distinct looks and eccentric personalities to keep your friends amused all night long (plus you get the added bonus of dressing up your little one as Ricky Ricardo, Jr.).  Teens can take their turn as Glee’s original bad girl, Santana, with an easy-to-find cheerleading outfit.  But if being a cheerleader isn’t your style, why not go as Ugly Betty?

LITERATURE AND FOLKTALES

la llorona          zorro        don quixote

Don’t forget that Halloween is supposed to be a scary holiday.  Straight from the folktales, La Llorona would make the perfect ghostly girl to spook unsuspecting trick-or-treaters.  Guys who prefer to run around in a cape can maintain an air of mystery as the masked Zorro.  But if fighting windmills matches your interests more, don your suit of armor and step out as Don Quixote.

CARTOONS

dora and diego         Puss n boots        cusco kronk yzma pacha

As much as we all love to dress up every year, Halloween is really about the kids.  No list would be complete without mentioning Dora and Diego.  But, thinking outside of the box, kiddies can have fun dressing up as the feline lothario Puss in Boots, who was voiced by actor Antonio Banderas.  And the cast of The Emperor’s New Groove would make the perfect group costume:  mom and dad can be Yzma and Kronk while the kids can be Cuzco.

SPORTS

De la Hoya         AJ Lee         Clemente

There is a treasure trove of Latinos in the sports world.  Put on your boxing gloves and step into the ring as decorated boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya, but a word of caution—a six-pack will be difficult to find at your local costume store.  From one ring to another, the world of professional wrestling, which has always blurred the line of sports and entertainment, has some interesting personalities to consider.  April Mendez, or AJ Lee as fans know her, certainly proves that women can pack just as much of a punch as any guy can.  If fighting isn’t up your alley, try going old school as baseball hall-of-famer Roberto Clemente.

The list goes on and on.  The point is that there are plenty of places to draw inspiration from that aren’t offensive.  So instead of resorting to stereotypical costumes this Halloween, be creative, be smart, and have fun celebrating your Latino heritage.