Immigration

Dinowitz, Harckham Introduce Bill to Protect Residents from Civil Arrest at Polling Places

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York State Senator Pete Harckham (S.D. 40) and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81) introduced legislation on Dec. 3 which aims to protect residents from civil arrest while going to, remaining at, or returning from polling places in New York State. According to the both Harckham and Dinowitz, civil arrests supported by a judicial warrant or a court will still be allowable under this new bill, however.

What Does the Latest U.S. Military Build Up in Puerto Rico Mean?   

By GENE ROMAN
Puerto Rico has a long and proud tradition of U.S. military service. Increases in the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean have set the region on edge. According to an ABC article dated Nov. 24, entitled Top U.S. military Adviser Visits Caribbean as Trump Ramps Up Pressure on Venezuela, high level officials from the Pentagon visited troops on the Island during Thanksgiving to thank them for their service. Is this military build-up temporary, and does it presage a larger conflict with Venezuela?

UPDATE Bronx Teen from Ecuador Held by U.S. Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Reunited with Family after Detention

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Five leading child advocacy organizations had filed an amicus brief in federal court supporting 16-year-old Bronx teen, Joel, from Ecuador who had been held by the United States Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). His case was heard at a White Plains federal court on Monday, Nov. 17. Norwood News reached out to the advocates for an update on the latest court proceedings, as well as asking which part of The Bronx Joel lives in. While we’re still waiting on the latter, we’ve since been informed that a judge has since ordered Joel released into the custody of a legal guardian and has been reunited with his extended family in the area, while his legal case continues. 

Different Generations Discuss Democracy at 2nd Manhattan “No Kings” Rally

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE
While many lament the polarized and seemingly internecine nature of politics in America and around the world in recent years, it was at least a breath of fresh air to witness one sweet, intergenerational exchange of thoughts on democracy aboard a busy downtown 1 train on Saturday, Oct. 18. It unfolded organically between a group of adults from Northwest Bronx Indivisible (NBI) who were on their way downtown to join the second, nationwide “No Kings Day” rally in Manhattan and a group of teens and kids on their way to a basketball game the same day.