By Megan Burks
Study: Just As Many Mexican Immigrants Leaving U.S. as Arriving
Adrian Florido of KPBS reports net migration from Mexico to the United States decreased to zero between 2005 and 2010. According to a study by the Pew Hispanic Center, just as many Mexicans returned to Mexico as came to the U.S. And the number crossing north is dropping.
Just 1.4 million Mexicans immigrated to the U.S. during the study period. Between 1995 and 2000, 3 million came to the U.S.
Researchers cite the weak U.S. economy, an increase in deportations, and economic and demographic changes in Mexico for the reversal.
Follow Adrian Florido @adrianflorido.
Few Deportation Cases Closed Under Obama Policy
KPBS also reports the deportation rate for low-priority cases hasn’t slowed the way the Obama Administration intended.
According to a report from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, just 2,700 of 300,000 deportation cases—or 1.2 percent—have been closed.
Immigration authorities began reviewing deportation cases late last year to weed out those of people who have not committed crimes other than lacking legal status. The change in policy was meant to steer efforts toward high-level undocumented criminals, instead of youth who were brought to the U.S. as children and individuals with family ties in the country.
Follow Jill Replogle @jillrep.
Is Teralta Park a Model for Downtown Neighborhoods?
Some planners and residents say freeway lids—large spans of concrete over sunken freeways that allow for development—should be used to reconnect downtown communities severed by Interstate 5, according to Tom Fudge of KPBS.
The solution was used in City Heights to squelch community backlash when Interstate 15 tore the neighborhood in two in the 1990s. The lid became Teralta Park, adding more outdoor recreation space in the community.
For many, the City Heights freeway lid stands out as an model. Los Angeles is planning to install a park over the 101 freeway.
But at least one community member who spoke with Fudge said the feature isn’t worth the cost. Marco Li Mandri, president of New City America, said City Heights could have gotten more bang for its buck if it installed more linear parks along the interstate.
What do you think? Leave a comment on the story at www.kpbs.org.
Follow Tom Fudge @TFudgeSD.
German Camera Crew Follows City Heights Teen
Earlier this month, we pointed you to a U-T San Diego profile on City Heights teen Marcos Olascoaga. The teen is involved with several community programs and is leading the fight for a City Heights skate park.
His sister, Rosa, is no less impressive. She was one of the youth selected to talk with First Lady Michelle Obama during her visit to City Heights in 2010. Rosa is involved in many of the same programs as her brother and volunteers at a soup kitchen weekly.
That’s why German education website Planet Schule included her in its series on growing up in the United States. You can see the video here.
Follow Mid-City CAN @midcitycan for updates about its Youth Council.