Immigrant Voices
-
Excluded By Iowa Task Force, Minority-Owned Businesses Push On In Pandemic
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an executive order June 18 establishing the Governor’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board. The announcement reads: “The Governor’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board assembles an impressive group of business leaders to propel our recovery efforts forward and position Iowa for growth. Iowans will be at the center of this effort as we continue…
-
A Latino Father, Teacher, Coach Prepares For School Return
If you meet Salvador “Chava” Aguirre, 48, you will instantly like him. He has that easy-going personality and once you get to know him better, you want to become his friend. Knowing Chava for many years, I would say that his heart is as big as his height, 6 feet 7 inches tall. He is…
-
A Latino Father, Teacher, Coach Prepares For School Return
If you meet Salvador “Chava” Aguirre, 48, you will instantly like him. He has that easy-going personality and once you get to know him better, you want to become his friend. Knowing Chava for many years, I would say that his heart is as big as his height, 6 feet 7 inches tall. He is…
-
Enough Is Enough: Iowans Rally For Vanessa Guillén Justice
The disappearance of Spec. Vanessa Guillén made national and international news. A young and beautiful Latina vanished inexplicably on April 22. Vanessa’s remains were found in late June after missing from Fort Hood, Texas for more than two months. A soldier was accused of her death and his ex-girlfriend was accused of playing a role…
-
How Doua Lor Serves Des Moines’ Asian Community
Amid so much happening around us in Iowa and around the world, it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel, if any exists yet. It is at times like this, times of reflection that I find it healing to look on the brighter rays of light shed by individuals who…
-
How Doua Lor Serves Des Moines’ Asian Community
Amid so much happening around us in Iowa and around the world, it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel, if any exists yet. It is at times like this, times of reflection that I find it healing to look on the brighter rays of light shed by individuals who…
-
Iowa Dreamers See New Hope After Supreme Court Decision
During a year full of unexpected and dreadful events, hope emerges through the rubble. Young people are showing up in powerful ways and are becoming the catalyst for some of the most clear and difficult conversations we have had on racism, inequality and injustice in recent years in this country. The Black Lives Matter movement…
-
Iowa Meatpacking Employees Remain Fearful As COVID Cases Climb
As the United States turns its attention to the crisis of injustice and racism, the coronavirus pandemic still rages on, continuing to impact the most vulnerable among us. For many Iowans working in meatpacking plants, the virus not only continues to threaten their lives, but they also are victims of employers’ neglect. Some employers have…
-
Three Months Behind On Rent As Eviction Ban Lifts, Iowan Fears What’s Next
As if a pandemic was not enough, now many Iowans face the possibility of being evicted from their homes, thanks to a decision from Gov. Kim Reynolds. Originally the Governor used federal CARES Act funds for a program that would prevent renters from evictions and homeowners from foreclosure. Yes, this program would help renters, but…
-
How Iowa Latinos Feel About Steve King’s Defeat
The day has finally arrived, a day many dreamt and thought would never come: Steven King is defeated. He was beat by state Sen. Randy Feenstra during the primary elections on Tuesday. After 18 years in Congress, he became ineffective in representing Iowans that supported him in the past and Iowans in general. He turned…
