The Nevada Current: Increased Medicaid coverage for immigrants linked to reversal of ‘public charge’ rule

Jeniffer Solis || The Nevada Current || April 7th, 2022

Since the Biden administration the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced the use of benefits will not determine eligibility for U.S. citizenship. That change in tone was an important factor in establishing trust with immigrant populations, said Rico Ocampo, an organizer for the immigrant rights group Make the Road Nevada.

“The underlying tone or rhetoric that came from the previous administration set a lot of immigrants sitting on needles,” Ocampo said.

The rule change also had a cooling effect on immigrants with U.S. citizen children who are eligible for benefits, even among their own members, said Ocampo.

“Many times we’ve seen families having to choose whether to get services for their U.S. citizen children or risk running into the public charge rule,” Ocampo said. “It’s had a big impact on communities that are in need of these resources and services.”

NewsBreak: Nevada Latinos take center stage in midterms as electorate grows, shifts

Jazmin Orozco || The Nevada Independent|| March 20th, 2022

Jessica Padron, civic engagement director for Make the Road Nevada, a left-leaning organization focused on the immigrant community, put the situation more bluntly: She said political parties often engage in half-hearted attempts to engage with the community, calling them “tokenizing photo exchanges” complete with taco trucks and mariachi bands.

“I think the big message for 2022 to Democrats in particular is, ‘It’s time to deliver,’” Padron said. “It’s not time to play around. It’s time to … have real conversations with the Latino community.”

El Tiempo: Administradores del CCSD abordan la violencia escolar en el Condado Clark

Julie Wootton-Greener || El Tiempo|| March 11th, 2022

Kathia Sotelo, an organizer with the Youth Power Project, said if the district wants to reduce violence in schools, it needs smaller class sizes. Large classes lead to a disruptive environment, she said.

The Review Journal: CCSD trustees take on school violence in Clark County

Julie Wootton-Greener || The Review Journal || March 10th, 2022

Kathia Sotelo, an organizer with the Youth Power Project, said if the district wants to reduce violence in schools, it needs smaller class sizes. Large classes lead to a disruptive environment, she said.

Noticias Telemundo: Biden dará su primer discurso del Estado de la Nación con una desaprobación histórica

Telemundo || February 28th, 2022

Con la invasión rusa a Ucrania como telón, este martes el presidente rendirá cuentas sobre su primer año de gestión. La Casa Blanca adelantó el anuncio de un plan económico para controlar la inflación que incluye aumentar la producción interna.

The NV Patch: Proposal Would Undo Trump’s ‘Public Charge’ Rule

Jeniffer Solis || The Nevada Current || February 22nd, 2022

Undocumented immigrants are still facing disproportionate economic hardships caused by the pandemic and barriers to social safety nets, including unemployment insurance for those who lost their jobs during the pandemic, said Rico Ocampo, an immigrant justice organizer with Make the Road Nevada.

The advocacy group has seen a rise in requests for mutual aid and assistance with state government agencies when seeking resources.

“We see families not wanting to seek assistance for their U.S. citizen children because they fear what a public charge might do to their case in the future, and that’s troublesome,” Ocampo said.

The Nevada Current: Proposal would undo Trump’s ‘public charge’ rule

Jeniffer Solis || The Nevada Current || February 22nd, 2022

Undocumented immigrants are still facing disproportionate economic hardships caused by the pandemic and barriers to social safety nets, including unemployment insurance for those who lost their jobs during the pandemic, said Rico Ocampo, an immigrant justice organizer with Make the Road Nevada.

The advocacy group has seen a rise in requests for mutual aid and assistance with state government agencies when seeking resources.

“We see families not wanting to seek assistance for their U.S. citizen children because they fear what a public charge might do to their case in the future, and that’s troublesome,” Ocampo said.

Indy DC Download: Vegas resident takes landlord complaint to Senate; lawmakers want to pause gas tax

Humberto Sanchez || The Nevada Independent || February 12th, 2022

At a briefing for members of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee Tuesday, Kathleen Hernandez, a Las Vegas renter and housing activist, joined six other renters who gave testimony about their experiences with rental properties owned by large corporate owners, including institutional investors and private equity owners.

Hernandez serves on the steering committee for Renters Rising, a national association for renters rights in corporate-owned properties. She is also a member of the progressive group Make the Road Nevada.

Local immigration activists want to enforce their demands

Roberto Peláez || El Mundo Southern Nevada || December 17, 2021

Wielding the slogan ‘Stand up in the fight until victory’, a group of Nevadans, immigration activists, were kind enough to stage a demonstration near the United States Capitol, with the clear intention of maintaining pressure on legislators Democrats and demand that they keep their promises, specifically those related to immigration, climate change and social security.

Among the protesters were members of the hard-working local group ‘Make the Road Nevada’, led by Areli Sánchez. 

Indy DC Download: House approves defense policy bill military pay raise, no marijuana banking

Humberto Sanchez || The Nevada Independent || December 11, 2021

Immigration activists, including Make the Road Nevada, held a rally near the U.S. Capitol Tuesday to keep the pressure on Democratic lawmakers to include an immigration provision in their social safety net and climate change package.

“We need respect and dignity,” Areli Sanchez, member leader for Make the Road Nevada, told the group that had gathered near the west front of the building.

‘Disgusting actions:’ Nearly all Nevada staffers quit Mi Familia Vota

Blake Apgar and Shea Johnson || Las Vegas- Review Journal || December 10, 2o21

In another email from Thursday obtained by the Review-Journal, the Nevada Immigrant Coalition steering committee informed Mi Familia Vota’s national leaders that it was formally expelling the organization from its group. The committee is made up of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, Culinary Union and Make the Road Nevada.

Harlem’s Reps. Espaillat And Others Join Immigration Advocates To Urge Senate To Include A Pathway To Citizenship In BBB

Harlem World Magazine || December 8, 2021

hose gathered went in-depth about the urgent need for permanent solutions for millions of people. Directly impacted community members from Make the Road New York, Minkwon Center, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, HANA Center, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and Make the Road Nevada also shared their stories.

Migrants ask the Senate for a path to citizenship in the US

AFP Washington || tvn noticias || December 7, 2021

Areli Sanchez of Make the Road Nevada called for “respect and dignity.” She did not emigrate in search of the American dream but to flee the Mexican state of Michoacan, where she suffered three kidnapping attempts.

The Democratic Party’s “Failed Promises” to Immigrants

aida chavez || The Nation  || November 12, 2o21

Rico Ocampo, an organizer with the activist group Make the Road Nevada and a DACA recipient, told The Nation that failing to include a pathway to citizenship in the social spending bill would reveal the “failed promises that Democrats have for the past two decades shared with the undocumented community.”

Week of action for the migrant community

Anthony Avellaneda || El tiempo || November 1, 2021

For several days, members of the Make The Road Nevada organization and allied groups demonstrated outside the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse in downtown Las Vegas to ask members of Congress to include immigration reform in the budget plan.

Clark County trustees oust Superintendent Jesus Jara

Julie Wootton-Greener || Las Vegas Review Journal || October 28, 2021

Members of the Youth Power Project and Make the Road Nevada issued a statement Thursday saying they’re “firmly opposed” to removing Cavazos as board president.

Kathia Sotelo, organizer of the Youth Power Project, said in the statement that Cavazos has been “an ally to students and has taken personal accountability and initiative to create important changes at CCSD.”

NV Groups Host Vigils, Rally for Citizenship Path for Immigrants

Suzanne Potter || Public News Service  || October 27, 2021

The events are organized by the Undocu-council, which is part of the Nevada Immigrant Coalition, along with the groups PLAN, Make the Road Nevada and Mi Familia Vota. They held a vigil Tuesday night at the federal courthouse in Las Vegas. Their “week of action” includes vigils tonight and at 6 p.m. Thursday, plus a full protest rally at 5 p.m. Friday in the same location.

UNLV Immigration Clinic looking to expand services

Arleigh Rodgers || Las Vegas Sun || October 1, 2021

Rico Ocampo, immigration justice organizer at Make the Road Nevada, said this funding is a hard-fought victory for immigrant communities.

“I have temporary DACA status,” he said. “I couldn’t imagine what it would have been like, when having my parents picked up by [U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement] and not having the due process and the fairness of fighting for their case and essentially being having to represent themselves against a trained government attorney. And so, for me, this was deeply personal.”

Exposure to the weather, a challenge for street vendors

Anthony Avellaneda  || El Tiempo || September 23, 2021

To try to help local street vendors, the organization Make The Road Nevada (MRNV) held a resource fair to provide information on various services and programs available to people who do not even have a Social Security or ITIN number.

Environmental justice advocates look to empower underserved Las Vegans

Arleigh Rodgers || Las Vegas – Review Journal  || September 22, 2021

“I do feel like it’s integral for all people to know how to feed themselves, but especially where people are underserved,” Kyle said. “It helps them to be less reliant, and that does something to build up the morale of those individuals.”

Make the Road Nevada, a nonprofit that connects with working class and immigrant communities, is also promoting environmental justice in underserved Las Vegas communities.

STUDENT VOICES: Please listen to us. The time has come to fund education, not incarceration

Desiree Rodriguez and Alex Sosa || Nevada Current || September 20, 2021

Education must be used to support the vision of Black and brown young people across the country who have come together to fight for police-free schools.

Desiree Rodriguez is a youth fellow at Make the Road Nevada. She is a student in the Clark County School District in Nevada.

Public Lands Week in Nevada will conclude with park clean-up

Arleigh Rodgers  || Las Vegas Sun || September 19, 2021

“It really just has a lot of cultural, spiritual value for our tribal communities, and it’s obviously going to be a really huge pillar as we get to the 30-by-30 goal,” she said.

At a resource fair last week hosted by Make The Road Nevada, Xochitl Garcia, VP of Fifth Sun project, said that land conservation is ingrained in Indigenous cultures like her own.

Seminar to cover resources for residents facing eviction

Subrina Hudson || Las Vegas – Review Journal  || September 9, 2021

Homie said in a news release that topics will include the state’s rental assistance program, filing an answer to an eviction notice, foreclosure prevention and free consultations available to distressed landlords and homeowners.

Presentations will be made by local agencies including Nevada Partners, Nevada Housing Coalition, Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, city of Las Vegas, Nevada Home Again and Make The Road Nevada.

House reconciliation package would provide path to citizenship

Ariana Figuerou and Michael Lyle || Nevada Current || September 8, 2021

In July, groups including Make the Road Nevada and PLAN rallied in front of the federal courthouse to urge Senators and the congressional delegation to create a pathway to citizenship for essential workers as well as DACA and TPS recipients, whether it was through budget reconciliation or other legislative means.

As unemployment benefits stop for close to 150,000 Nevadans, observers fear tough road ahead

Michelle Rinals  || Nevada Independent || September 6, 2021

Lalo Montoya of progressive advocacy group Make the Road Nevada has seen firsthand how people can get lost in the system if they hit technology-related hurdles, language barriers, eligibility hang-ups or are otherwise confused by systems offering help. His organization helps those it can, but it doesn’t have the funding to serve as formal navigators who would personally guide the tens of thousands of people who need help.

Report: Extreme temperatures disproportionately affects minority, low-income communities stuck in ‘heat islands’

Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez || Nevada Independent || August 31,2021

Latino and Native American people are overrepresented in the construction workforce in Las Vegas, making them particularly vulnerable to the heat outdoors during work hours. Other employees identified as vulnerable in the report include landscapers, street vendors, airport and utility workers.

Audrey Peral, a lead organizer for Make the Road Nevada, emphasized the need to make information and messaging accessible for people who are most affected, suggesting that officials require it to be in multiple languages.

High energy bills, lack of shade among concerns in Morrison Institute study

Mary Beth Faller || Arizona State University || August 27,2021

Audrey Peral, lead organizer at Make the Road Nevada nonprofit, said that undocumented community members fear that accepting any kind of assistance could imperil their ability to attain legal status.

“That’s a huge barrier,” she said. “Make sure programs are available to all folks, regardless of status.”

Both cities are working on mitigating extreme heat during transit. Phoenix hopes to have all of its bus

Paulie’s Push, sweet Connie, VR brain-rewiring: News from around our 50 states

USA Today || August 24, 2021

“It’s been very white-led for a very long time,” said Washington, who is Black. “You have to include the people who are closest to the issue in order to actually make any sort of change.” Along with Make It Work Nevada, other groups participating include Battle Born Progress, CHISPA, Make the Road Nevada, Mi Familia Vota Nevada, the Faith Organizing Alliance and the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada Action Fund. All seven groups are led by women of color.

Women of color lead fight to bring climate justice to low-income Las Vegans

Arleigh Rodgers || Las Vegas Sun ||  August 18,2021

Partner organizations for breathefreenv.com are Battle Born Progress, CHISPA, Make The Road Nevada, Make It Work Nevada, Mi Familia Vota Nevada, the Faith Organizing Alliance and the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN) Action Fund, all of which have people of color in positions of leadership.

“It’s rare that all of these organizations doing environmental work are led by people of color,” said Laura Martin, executive director of PLAN, who is Black.

We need citizenship’: Young Las Vegas immigrants lament judge’s DACA ruling

Arleigh Rodgers || Las Vegas Sun || July 21, 2021

Make the Road Nevada housing organizer LaLo Montoya was only 2 years old when his family immigrated to the United States from Zacatecas, Mexico.

It wasn’t until 2012 that Montoya would be protected from deportation through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was enacted by the Obama administration. The program allows the children of immigrants — also known as “Dreamers” — who came to the U.S. illegally the chance to apply for two-years-long, renewable work authorizations without being deported.

Clark County hears ideas for spending $440 million in ARP housing money

Michael Lyle || Nevada Current || July 15, 2021

Aside from the presentations from the organizations, a variety of groups including Three Square Food Bank, Make it Work Nevada, Make the Road Nevada, and the Nevada State Apartment Association all provided stories of struggling renters and areas the county could invest in.

Some ideas included investing in a tenants’ right to counsel, which has been adopted in several cities nationwide, to rehabbing vacant buildings to convert them into affordable housing.

Most reiterated the need for creating more affordable units.

Combatiendo temor y desinformación

Anthony Acellaneda || El Tiempo ||  July 6, 2021

Por tal motivo, Immunize Nevada y la organización Make The Road Nevada recientemente llevaron a cabo una nueva clínica emergente de vacunación, en la cual se estuvieron atendiendo tanto a personas que acudieron por su segunda dosis como a quienes necesitaban recibir la primera. El evento tuvo verificativo el sábado 26 de junio.

La clínica fue albergada en la oficina de Make The Road Nevada, situada entre Bonanza y Lamb. Adicionalmente, miembros de la organización salieron a las calles del este de Las Vegas para brindar información e invitar a las personas a acudir a recibir la dosis, centrándose principalmente en los comerciantes ambulantes.

Activists want policymakers to reimagine unemployment program, which typically serves only a fraction of the jobless

Michelle Rindels || Nevada Independent || July 4th, 2021

At a forum hosted last week by progressive advocacy group Make the Road Nevada, activists pushed for leveraging the experience of the pandemic to make dramatic changes to the structure of the unemployment program, but also for more immediate action to address areas of the economy that have been slower to recover.

“We’re getting bad coverage about being lazy and not wanting to go back to work when I don’t even know a person in my circle of contacts that sits in this place,” said Marianne LeBlanc, who is president of the Live Events Coalition and experienced sudden unemployment during COVID-related shutdowns. “If we’re not back, we’re not back, and support needs to continue and be there.”

“Citizenship For All” Rally

Las Vegas Sun || July 2, 2021

Immigration activists hold a “Citizenship For All” rally in front of the Foley Federal Building in downtown Las Vegas Friday, July 2, 2021. Immigrant community members, the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, Make the Road Nevada, and community partners participated in the rally.

When record-breaking summer heat hits, the effects of warming are far from equal

Daniel Ruthberg || Nevada Independent ||  June 23, 2021

Audrey Peral, an environmental justice organizer at Make the Road Nevada, which works with Latino immigrant communities, said climate-driven warming is a major priority for the group.

“It intersects with every single issue that we work on,” she said.

Extreme heat intersects with everything from housing to health care. It’s important, she said, to ensure that landlords are providing safe conditions and air-conditioning. Outdoor workers, Peral noted, are particularly vulnerable to heat, especially when they lack access to health care.

Pop-up clinics aim to boost vaccinations in underserved communities

Jeniffer Solis || Nevada Current || June 2, 2021

Saturday, Make the Road Nevada transformed its offices into a pop-up vaccine clinic with vaccines provided by Walmart in partnership with Immunize Nevada. Health workers administered around 90 doses to patients who attended the event.

“We have at least two to three of these types of clinics a week,” said Mayra Gonzalez, a community health worker with Immunize Nevada, adding that Immunize Nevada has held over 100 pop-up clinics since February. “We’re really trying to go and meet the people where they’re at.”

The office of Make the Road is located in the 89110 zip code, a majority Latino portion of Southern Nevada that has reported some of the highest rates of COVID-19 cases in Clark County, according to state data.

Make the Road Nevada organiza primera clínica de vacunación

Natalia Lancellottis || 8 News Now || May 27th, 2021

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — La organización Make the Road Nevada llevará a cabo una clínica de vacunación para dar primeras dosis el sábado 29 de mayo.

Esta clínica distribuirá 500 vacunas contra el COVID, Pfizer, anunció la organización.

No necesitas mostrar identificación, no necesitas hacer una cita y recuerda que la vacuna es completamente gratuita.

“Nuestra gente hispana está teniendo problemas en otros lugares porque les piden una identificación o seguro médico”, dijo Janette Mata, directora de comunicaciones de Make the Road Nevada. “Esperamos poder eliminar esas barreras para que nuestra comunidad se vacune al igual que otras razas”.

Invitación: Jornada local de vacunación gratis y sin tener una cita

Noticiasya || May 26th, 2021

(NOTICIAS YA).- La organización “Make The Road Nevada” invita a la comunidad a una jornada de vacunación. Durante el evento se administrarán dosis de la farmacéutica Pfizer, lo que significa que todo residente mayor de 12 años podrá acudir.

No se preocupe de agendar una cita, no será necesaria. Tampoco pedirán comprobante de identificación. El propósito es inocular a la mayor cantidad posible de la población.

Community Notes 05-26-21

Anthony Avellaneda  || El tiempo || May 26th, 2021

The Make The Road Nevada organization will host a vaccination clinic, which will take place this Saturday, May 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The administered dose will be that of Pfizer, the assistants will also be scheduled the second appointment necessary.

It will not be required to show medical insurance to have access to the vaccine, nor is it necessary to make a prior appointment or show identification. The event will be held at 4250 E. Bonanza Road, Suite 20, Las Vegas, NV 89110.

Activists trying to boost vaccine rates among Latinos with pop-up clinics and Spanish billboards

The Washington Times|| May 25th, 2021

Now, groups like Make the Road Nevada and Dream Big Nevada – which typically focus on immigrant rights and supporting undocumented youth – have pivoted during the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, working to make sure the Latino community is informed and has access to the shots.

This includes posting Spanish-language billboards across the state and published Facebook posts and Live Videos in Spanish to directly reach the public.

In Nevada, the key to getting Covid vaccines to Latinos has been meeting them where they are

Nicole Acevedo || NBC NEWS || May 25th, 2021

That’s when Macias, the director of operations for the immigrant rights organization Make The Road Nevada, pivoted from her usual work and started advocating for vaccine accessibility in her community. Shortly after, the nonprofit Immunize Nevada reached out to her to see what they could do to help get more Latinos vaccinated. “I was like, ‘I have an office. Let’s do a pop-up clinic,’” she said.

Doctors, hospitals, health insurance providers affiliated with national nonprofit mount opposition to public option bill

Megan Messerly || The Nevada Independent || April 28, 2021

Several state-based progressive groups are backing the legislation as well, including Planned Parenthood Votes Nevada, the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN), Make the Road Nevada, Battle Born Progress and One APIA Nevada.

“SB420 is the first step toward driving down the high cost of insurance and addressing Nevada’s persistently high uninsured rate, particularly in Black, Brown, and Native communities across Nevada,” Laura Martin, PLAN’s executive director, said in a statement.

Gov. , a Democrat, hasn’t yet taken a position on the legislation.

Student protesters push for police-free schools, more funding for mental health support and guidance

Jannelle Calderon|| The Nevada Independent || April 9th, 2021

The small rally organized by progressive advocacy group Make the Road Nevada was made up of about 10 students holding signs calling for police-free schools. Some recounted negative experiences with school officers, including seeing officers bodyslam their peers and breaking up fights using pepper spray that affected students standing by.

“The heavy feeling I get when walking through the quad as I’m simply trying to get from class to class is a discomfort that no student should feel in what’s meant to be a safe learning environment,” Ruth Dinberu, a sophomore, said at the rally.

CCSD shared a statement on Twitter on Wednesday stating that school police officers are “a fabric of the district” who ensure safety in schools and are part of the Clark County School Justice Partnership, which works to hold students accountable and provide community support.

13 Action News takes a look at national survey about police in schools

Joyce Lupiani || 13 Action News || April 7th, 2021

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — 13 Action News took a closer look at the national survey which led to a protest today outside of the Clark County School District’s headquarters.

The survey, titled “Arrested Learning: A survey of youth experiences of police and security at school,” was produced by the Center for Popular Democracy in collaboration with Make the Road New York (MRNY), Make the Road Nevada (MRNV), Latinos Unidos Siempre (LUS), the Urban Youth Collaborative (UYC), and the the Research Hub for Youth Organizing at the University of Colorado Boulder.

‘We Need Police-Free Schools’: Survey Finds 2/3 of US Students Want Cops Removed From Campus

Brett Wilkins || April 6, 2021

The report, entitled Arrested Learning: A Survey of Youth Experiences of Police and Security at School (pdf), was released by the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD) in collaboration with staff and young people from Make the Road New York (MRNY), Make the Road Nevada (MRNV), Latinos Unidos Siempre (LUS), the Urban Youth Collaborative (UYC), and the the Research Hub for Youth Organizing at the University of Colorado Boulder.

The release of the report marks the launch of a week of action by these organizations “to demand that federal, state and local elected officials take immediate action to remove police from schools and end the school-to-prison-and deportation pipeline.”

Effort to get police out of schools launches this week in Nevada, 3 other states

Greg Hass || 8 News Now || April 5, 2021

The Center for Popular Democracy will release data from a national survey of over 600 students.

The report is expected to address students’ experiences, interactions and feelings about police and security in schools — and the perception that police create a safe environment.

Make the Road Nevada is a local group involved in organizing some of the week’s events in Clark County.

‘Marcha hacia la victoria’ hace un llamado de urgencia y exige una reforma migratoria

Natalia Lancellotti / 8 news now ESP || March 26, 2021

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Dos organizaciones del valle se unen al evento “Marcha hacia la victoria”, con el propósito de demandar un camino a la ciudadanía para 11 millones de indocumentados.

PLAN Action y Make the Road Action Nevada se asociaron para fomentar una caravana local, que dará comienzo el viernes 26 de marzo a las 3 p.m. en el cartel de “Bienvenido a Las Vegas”, ubicado al 5200 de Las Vegas Boulevard.

Líderes comunitarios junto a estas dos organizaciones recibirán la antorcha para iniciar este llamado de atención a representantes gubernamentales, exigiendo su participación para apoyar a los inmigrantes de Nevada y el resto del país.

Nevada group calls for state legislators to pass bill that supports immigrant workers

By Marcelle Corona || March 25,2021

“When local law enforcement agencies do the work of federal immigration authorities, it wastes taxpayer dollars and damages Nevada’s economy,” Cecia Alvardo, executive director for Mi Familia Vota in Nevada, said in a statement. “That’s why it’s important for the Nevada Legislature to protect Nevada’s workforce so that we can all contribute to our economic recovery by passing the Keep Nevada Working Act urgently.”

For Maria Lemus, a member of Make the Road Nevada, the thought of calling local law enforcement during emergencies “terrifies” her, she said in the news release.

Freshman Orientation: Senator Fabian Doñate

February 9th, 2021, by Tabitha Mueller

“For his first job, Doñate worked as an elevator attendant at the Strat Hotel, Casino and SkyPod, formerly known as the Stratosphere.

From there, he worked as a pool attendant at the hotel and then worked a number of odd jobs throughout college. He also volunteered with the immigrant advocacy organization Make the Road Nevada, served on the Biden campaign’s National Health Policy Committee, worked as a regional account management coordinator for the American Cancer Society and interned for Democratic U.S. Sen. .

The senator now works remotely as a health consultant for the University of Maryland School of Public Health.”

More than 60 advocacy groups ask lawmakers to improve ‘grossly insufficient’ participation pathways during virtual session

By Riley Snyder || February 23rd, 2021 – 3:36pm

The letter, which was sent on Monday and addressed to Senate Majority Leader  and Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson, calls on lawmakers to allow at least 30 minutes for public comment during bill hearings, abandon an advance registration system to participate in a hearing and institute a “fair, standardized and uniform system” for public participation in all future virtual legislative meetings.

The letter is signed by a wide variety of large and small advocacy groups, including: the ACLU of Nevada, Americans for Prosperity, Battle Born Progress, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Culinary Union, Faith Organizing Alliance, Make the Road Nevada, the Nevada Policy Research Institute, the Nevada State Education Association, Power2Parent and a host of other organizations.

Orgullo zacatecano en la Legislatura

Frank Alejandre / El Tiempo || febrero 10, 2021 – 3:40 pm

El también destacado miembro de la organización Make The Road Nevada, expresó por su parte “me siento honrado de ser designado para el Senado de Nevada y representar al distrito al que he llamado hogar casi toda mi vida. Al crecer, vi a mi padre luchar con la barrera del idioma a través de su diagnóstico de diabetes tipo 2. Sé que muchos en nuestra comunidad continúan enfrentando desafíos similares. Quiero luchar para asegurar que todos los nevadenses tengan acceso a una atención médica confiable, especialmente ahora que esta pandemia continúa teniendo impactos devastadores y de gran alcance”.

COVID-19 Safety Measures At Legislature Lead To Transparency Concerns

Feb 08, 2021 by Bert Johnson

Leo Murrieta, director of Make the Road Nevada, which is focused on issues related to Latinx and immigrant communities, like justice reform, climate change, and education said face-to-face interactions are very important for his organization.

“The pandemic makes it harder,” Murrieta said, “But that just means that organizations like Make the Road are going work harder to make sure that corporate lobbyists aren’t the ones having the last word in the legislature, or really any chamber of government.”

Letter Regarding Harmful Criminal Bars in the Dream & Promise Act of 2019

February 8, 2021

RE: Criminal Bars to Legalization in H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2019

Dear Chair Nadler, Chair Lofgren, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, Congresswoman Velázquez, and Congresswoman Clarke:

We, the undersigned organizations, write to respectfully urge you to amend the criminal bars to eligibility in H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2019, to ensure that the bill is more inclusive and that a waiver is available for all grounds of exclusion. We believe these changes are necessary to bring the bill in line with principles of racial justice and fairness.

First, we would like to thank you for your longstanding commitment and leadership on the DREAM Act and efforts to fix our enforcement system. We share your commitment to getting the best version of the American Dream and Promise Act signed into law. In that spirit, we request that you bring the American Dream and Promise Act legislative text in line with the New Way Forward Act, and align it with President Biden’s U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 which we understand will not create any new criminal bars to legalization on top of the existing grounds of inadmissibility.

As Nevada Legislature Goes Virtual, Some Nevadans Worry About Access To Lawmakers

By Bert Johnson | Friday, February 5, 2021

For Leo Murrieta, physical access to the state Legislature is a crucial part of his work as director of Make the Road Nevada, a nonprofit organization that advocates for Latinx and immigrant communities.

As a relatively new organization, Make the Road came to Carson City for the first time during the 2019 legislative session. Murrieta says they went into it headfirst, though, and got more than a thousand community members to engage with the process.

“Our first legislative session was, to a certain degree, a success, because we were able to have that contact,” he said.

Some Nevadans applaud President Biden’s immigration orders

By Joe Vigil — February 2, 2021

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Nevadans with different backgrounds and immigration histories reacted positively on Tuesday to executive orders signed by President Joe Biden on immigration issues.

This while some GOP leaders have criticized some of the President’s plans.

“I think there’s hope in a way that we haven’t been able to have or see in the last four to five years,” said Natalie Hernandez, who works with Make the Road Nevada. The group advocates for Latinx and working-class communities of color.

Groups want Biden to end ICE’s for-profit detention contracts

Leo Murrieta, the director for the immigrant and workers’ rights organization Make the Road Nevada, said the immigrant detention system is inhumane, adding the Biden Administration needs to work aggressively to fix it.

“This is a really big black eye on our nation,” he said. “We can’t in one breath say our criminal justice system needs to be reformed and we need to defend the rights of people by eliminating private prison, while also saying it’s 100 percent OK to deny those basic rights and basic principles to immigrants. It’s not OK and not what we should be doing in the first 100 days of the Biden Administration.”

Immigration Scams: Local community leaders on alert

An uptick in immigration scams has local community leaders on alert. They say “notarios” are preying on undocumented people looking to get legal status in the country.

“It becomes very dangerous with immigrants because one wrong move on an immigration application, one wrong move on a form, this could put an individual in jeopardy of deportation,” said Leo Murrieta, executive director of Make the Road Nevada.

It’s a scam that’s very common among the undocumented community. They call themselves “notarios,” who promise to help folks resolve their immigration problems, but end up doing the opposite.

Distintas opiniones tras inicio de la “Era Biden-Harris”

enero 27, 2021 – 12:00 pm

Por su parte, el director de Make The Road Nevada, Leo Murrieta, opinó que “muchos recordarán que los inmigrantes se han enfrentado a duras realidades políticas y consecuencias mucho antes de que Donald Trump se convirtiera en presidente. Nuestras familias han sido un fútbol político durante demasiado tiempo, obligadas a permanecer como ‘chivos expiatorios políticos’ de esta nación siempre que sea conveniente para los políticos mientras sus propias vidas penden de un hilo”.

Murrieta espera que el presidente Biden impulse una propuesta de ley que beneficie a la comunidad migrante, específicamente a los jóvenes beneficiarios de DACA que han vivido en incertidumbre en los últimos años al no saber qué pasaría con el futuro de sus permisos de trabajo temporales.

Multiple obstructions stand between immigrants and rental assistance

“I was left without a job for two months, but my brother helped me a little so I’ve been able to pay my rent,” she said. “I applied for some rental assistance programs and they did reply at first, but stopped responding after … In my situation I didn’t get help from the government despite having children who are U.S citizens. I didn’t get any kind of help.”

Cristina, who eventually got help from the nonprofit Make the Road Nevada, isn’t the only person who’s struggled to get rental assistance. 

When Parents Lose Their Jobs, Their Children Also Suffer. But Sometimes There’s a Consolation.

One is the classic story of falling income and rising strain. When the pandemic broke out in March, Mr. Pike, 41, lost a job building booths for trade shows. Unable to collect unemployment aid (the state is disputing a previous claim), he borrowed from a bank, exhausted his savings, and found a few odd jobs but still fell behind on utilities and rent. Sometimes he eats less to make sure his daughter gets fed.

¡Evite ser desalojado de su vivienda!

Octubre 21, 2020 – 12:30 pm

“Ha llegado a su fin la moratoria del Gobierno de Nevada que indicaba que eran ilegales los desalojos de vivienda durante la pandemia de COVID-19, situación que afecta a miles de personas en el “Estado de Plata”. Por tal motivo, la organización Make The Road Nevada llevó a cabo un seminario virtual para informar a la comunidad hispana sobre sus derechos y recursos disponibles.”

Clock ticks down on Nevada’s eviction moratorium; help and resources are available

 

“Many Nevadans have lost jobs or income because of the COVID-19 pandemic, making it difficult for them to pay rent. Governor Steve Sisolak previously extended Nevada’s eviction moratorium by 45 days back at the beginning of September. But in just over one week, on October 15, landlords can start kicking tenants out of their homes and apartments if they do not pay rent. “

Virtual ceremony in Spanish honors Oct. 1 shooting victims, survivors

“Make the Road Nevada legally supported the undocumented workers at the festival who were not being provided health services or included as an affected group after the shooting”

COVID-19 impact on minorities highlighted in new report

The “COVID-19 NV Community Impact Report 2020,” published by Make the Road Nevada, a nonprofit group of politically and socially active youth, highlights the pandemic’s affect on minorities.

The key findings from the report, summarized below, can be found online with the group’s recommendations for federal and state responses.”

New report indicates undocumented Nevadans struggle to access resources or support amid pandemic; advocate says they ‘suffered in silence’

September 23, 2020 – 2:00 am

“A new report released Wednesday by Make the Road Nevada, an immigrant advocacy group, and The Center for Popular Democracy, a progressive organization, highlights challenges faced by communities of color, particularly the estimated 7 percent of Nevadans who are undocumented and have been excluded from federal and state relief efforts during the pandemic.”

Nevada Built a Powerful Democratic Machine. Will It Work in a Pandemic?

“For the past decade, Democrats in Nevada have notched one hard-fought victory after another. In 2010, Senator Harry Reid won his hotly contested re-election campaign, even as the party lost other battles all over the country. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the state, though with a smaller margin of victory than Democrats garnered in the previous two presidential contests. And in 2018, the Democrats managed to capture the governor’s office and the State Senate.”

Suspenden desalojos de alquileres en el país hasta el 31 de diciembre

Una nueva extensión de suspensión de desalojos de alquileres fue anunciada por los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades y fue justificada en el hecho de que los desalojos podrían disparar los números de casos de Covid-19.

La medida que estará vigente hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2020, representa un alivio para miles que estaban al borde de quedar en la calle debido a la pandemia del Coronavirus.”

New initiative provides economic aid for immigrant Nevadans ineligible for past state and federal aid

A new fund will provide financial relief for Nevada’s struggling immigrant communities after they were left out of earlier federal economic stimulus aid packages because of their immigration status.

International REALTOR and Nevada Community Foundation Director Duncan Lee announced the initiative under the Esperanza Fund earlier this week, which is a public-private partnership with the purpose of raising funds to provide grants for nonprofit organizations that support immigrant families. “

Car caravan protest meant to spur next federal relief package

“About 20 cars traveled in a caravan around a Las Vegas neighborhood Tuesday to protest the impasse in Washington over relief for those facing evictions and push for federal action.

The vehicles, adorned with signs reading, “Mitch Better Have My Money” and “Relief is Due,” embarked on the caravan from outside the nonprofit Make the Road Nevada office, 4250 E. Bonanza Road, and then traveled a roughly 9-mile loop around the area.”

UNLV Law Professor’s New Book Looks At Immigration Through A Community Lens

July 24, 2020 

As immigration remains a fixture in news headlines, the lives of many Nevada residents hang in the balance. 

After losing an immigration battle in the Supreme Court, President Donald Trump has now said the U.S. Census would not count undocumented immigrants

Brote de Coronavirus afecta centro de detención de ICE en Nevada

Por 

El brote se ha presentado en el centro de detención ubicado en la localidad de Pahrump. Noticias Univision Nevada pudo conversar con una mujer cuyo hermano está recluido en este lugar y a la par con una coalición pro inmigrante que viene denunciando este problema desde hace ya varias semanas.

Bianca Balderas, a political organizer with Make the Road Nevada, said distance education is the best option for students and teachers in the pandemic, but the organization still has concerns. “We need to be making distance education a priority at this time and for the foreseeable future, since we don’t know when this pandemic will end,” she said. “For low-income families, there will be many more barriers to obtain quality education. The digital divide means families won’t have internet or the technologies to start distance learning.”“Low-income, working families will not have the luxury of working from home, and older siblings will be required to babysit and teach younger siblings while getting their own education,” Balderas said.

Their fight is our fight’: Latinos in Las Vegas join Blacks in seeking end to injustices

Ortiz, now a Las Vegas resident, is the canvas director for Make the Road Nevada, a community organizing group that advocates for elevating working-class immigrant communities. The group has been active over the past months in support of Black Lives Matter after the death of George Floyd by white Minnesota police. “When African Americans win — when Black people win — we all win,” Ortiz, 28, said. “When we talk about racism, colorism, we shouldn’t have to wait (to jump into action). We shouldn’t need to understand why.”

Campaign 2018: Nevada voter turnout doubles 2014 showing

Early voters cast their ballots at Galleria at Sunset in Henderson Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018. The final day of early voting is Friday. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 6. K.M. Cannon Las Vegas Review-Journal

More than 620,000 Nevadans cast ballots after two weeks of early voting, plus absentee and mail-in ballots.

More than 550,000 of those have come from in-person early-voting, according to numbers from the Nevada secretary of state’s office, far surpassing the turnout of past midterm election years like 2014 (267,000) and 2010 (379,707).

Nevadan’s spar over same-day voter registration

Proposed legislation to allow voters to register on Election Day received mixed reactions during its first hearing Wednesday.

Supporters of Senate Bill 123 hope implementing the system will prevent voter disenfranchisement and help more people access the ballot box, while opponents fear the estimated fiscal costs as well as a rise of undocumented immigrants voting.

Julián Castro se reunió con hispanos de Las Vegas

El ex-secretario de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano -durante el mandato del ex-presidente Barack Obama- y ahora precandidato demócrata a la presidencia de EE.UU., Julián Castro, visitó la zona este de Las Vegas para reunirse con miembros de la organización Make the Road Nevada en un foro de diálogo donde los asistentes -en su mayoría hispanos- pudieron preguntarle sobre distintos temas de interés.

Julian Castro talks affordable housing, immigration and education in Vegas

By Jackie Valley

Julian Castro, the former secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Obama Administration, said Thursday that he plans to make housing affordability a centerpiece of his presidential campaign.

The comment came during Castro’s swing through Las Vegas, where he met with a small group of mostly Hispanic residents. Two attendees lamented the cost of rent and housing prices compared with their wages, opening a discussion that dovetailed with the presidential hopeful’s background.

Castro campaigns in Nevada, vows to make housing a top priority

Campaigning in Southern Nevada Thursday, Julián Castro — the former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Barack Obama — vowed to make housing policy a focus of his bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.

Castro is considered an underdog in the 2020 election, especially compared to candidates Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, and Kamala Harris, who are all high-profile U.S senators with substantial national name recognition.

Visitó Las Vegas candidato presidencial Julián Castro; habló de vivienda, inmigración y educación

Julián Castro, el ex secretario de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano en la administración de Obama, dijo este jueves que planea hacer de la vivienda accesible una pieza central de su campaña presidencial.

El comentario se produjo durante la visita relámpago de Castro a Las Vegas, donde se reunió con un pequeño grupo de residentes, en su mayoría hispanos.

Grupos comunitarios han expuesto sus necesidades en la Legislatura de Nevada

Continúa la 80º Sesión Legislativa en la capital de Nevada, senadores y asambleístas analizan las propuestas que podrían convertirse en nuevas leyes y/o reformas en el ‘Estado de Plata’. Sin embargo, para poder votar a favor o en contra de las mismas deben escuchar a sus electores; por tal motivo, distintos representantes de organizaciones locales han acudido al edificio legislativo para exponer sus necesidades.

Activists make a case for paid sick leave in Carson City

Lupe Guzmán’s voice is raspy.

A single mother of six, Guzmán has a throat issue that’s causing her to lose her voice. A Carl’s Jr. employee — she’s a manager on the graveyard shift — Guzmán said she has been unable to take off to deal with the issue due to a lack of paid sick days.

There’s a push in Carson City to change that. Activists with Time to Care Nevada traveled to the Capitol on Monday to speak with legislators about possible action on paid sick leave.

Natalie Hernandez, campaign manager for Time to Care Nevada, said the group’s push worked, and they expect legislation to be introduced within a few weeks.

Instan a legisladores a aprobar días de enfermedad pagados para trabajadores de Nevada

Unas 50 personas viajaron desde Las Vegas hasta Carson City para instar a los legisladores a que promulguen leyes que incluyan días de enfermedad pagados para los trabajadores.

Miembros de la organización Time to Care Nevada, un proyecto compuesto por una coalición de varios grupos progresistas, pasaron gran parte de este lunes cargando globos con el mensaje “Get Well Soon” [“Que te mejores pronto”] por todo el edificio legislativo en Carson City.

By Rocio Madera

La sede de la Policía Metropolitana de Las Vegas fue el lugar para que un grupo de defensores de los derechos de los inmigrantes se reuniera para protestar en contra del programa 287 G, un mecanismo de cooperación entre la Policía Metropolitana de Las Vegas y la agencia ICE.

Jorge Franco, uno de los manifestantes, vivió en primera persona el 287 G. Franco contó su historia al equipo de Noticias Univision Nevada.

“Yo estaba manejando camino a mi trabajo no me di cuenta que tenía una luz de freno que no funcionaba y fui detenido por una oficial de Metro“ dijo Franco.

As Metro Police Moves to Change Its 287(g) Practices, Let’s Remember the Facts on Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities

Over the weekend, Las Vegas Metro Police’s lobbyist in Carson City suggested they will make changes to their protocol in handing over criminal defendants to ICE agents. This came on the heels of Las Vegas immigrant rights activists and a Clark County Commissioner calling on Metro to end their 287(g) agreement with ICE, and this came two years after Metro and their political allies killed legislation to codify in state law what Metro may be inching towards on its own now.

Segerblom, advocates tell Metro to come clean about ICE

Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom joined immigration advocates Thursday to demand answers from Sheriff Joseph Lombardo about Metro’s use of a controversial immigration enforcement program that critics say is ruining livelihoods and tearing families apart in Southern Nevada.

Last Thursday, representatives of Las Vegas immigrant and civil rights groups filed an open records request with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department seeking details and data about Metro’s 287(g) detention policy agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Local immigrant activists criticize LVMPD’s cooperation with ICE

It’s called “287g.”

Under it, the Las Vegas Metropolitian Police Department cooperates with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Anybody arrested only runs into it at the Clark County Detention Center.

If you were born outside the U.S., you get run through an “ICE” database.

Protesters ask for end to agreement between ICE and Metro Police

County commissioner joins activists in calling for Metro Police to release data on ICE program

Immigration advocates joined by Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom took aim at Sheriff Joe Lombardo and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department at a press conference Thursday over the use of a controversial immigration enforcement program.

Activists, county commissioner protest police agreement with ICE

Jorge Franco stood in paint-covered jeans as he spoke — in Spanish, then in English — about his experience in detention. He says he missed the birth of his child and was almost evicted.

“(These immigrants) are not criminals. They are family members, they are fathers, they have a job,” he said.

Progressive groups tell lawmakers not to rest on November’s laurels

Democratic control of state government doesn’t automatically ensure progressive policy, Nevada groups said Thursday, so they intend to lobby harder than ever during the upcoming legislative session.

Make The Road Nevada celebró su primer aniversario de lucha por la justicia social

Enero 29, 2019 – 5:00 pm

“Estamos muy emocionados. Hoy celebramos un año de lucha por las familias de Nevada, por la comunidad puertorriqueña, los sobrevivientes de la masacre acaecida en el festival Harvest Route 91, en octubre de 2017. Estamos luchando por la obtención de las visas U para los sobrevivientes en la isla de Puerto Rico y por supuesto, las familias indocumentadas, a los jóvenes que cuentan con DACA y quienes no lograron llenar los formularios”, comentó a El Tiempo, Leo Murrieta, al finalizar la marcha por el vecindario que organizó la entidad Make The Road Nevada, para celebrar su primer aniversario de lucha por la justicia social, económica y por los derechos de los inmigrantes.

MRNV celebrates 1st year, aims to hold pols accountable in 2nd

Before securing their blue wave of victory last year, Nevada Democrats running for Congress and state offices promised to push forward with parts of a progressive agenda that have stalled in Nevada and the nation. This weekend some of those same Democrats appeared with advocates who say they are going to ensure promises before the election were more than just campaign rhetoric.

“Every month we will be going to Carson City,” said Leo Murrieta, director of Make the Road Nevada (MRNV), an organization that advocates for immigrants and the working class, and that held several events attended by politicians during last year’s campaign.

Paid sick leave eludes many Nevadans, even Culinary members

In a nation of disparity, getting sick remains an equal opportunity proposition. The flu bug does not discriminate.

But the equity ends there.  Calling in sick is more costly in America to those who can afford it least, and we all share the burden via infected workplaces, schools and child care.

More Americans than ever before — 71 percent of private industry and 91 percent of state and local government workers — have access to paid sick leave.

Sisolak’s reviews: Lots of raves, but some wariness too

Enjoying the luxury of inheriting what is projected to be a growing state budget, Gov. Steve Sisolak in his State of the State speech Wednesday proposed more money for K-12 and higher education, expanded and new health programs, a raise for state employees, and additional funding for a host of public services, from foster child care to substance abuse treatment to Meals on Wheels.

Buscan impulsar permisos por enfermedad pagados

Enero 10, 2019 – 9:15 am

“Es triste que los días de enfermedad no sean pagados porque lamentablemente tenemos que ir a trabajar así y es desagradable”, fueron las palabras que la señora Sheila Hurtado compartió a El Tiempo con el propósito de ser escuchada por los legisladores locales que en este 2019 comenzarán una nueva Sesión Legislativa.

Jazmin Orozco || The Nevada Independent|| March 20th, 2022 Jessica Padron, civic engagement director for Make the Road Nevada, a left-leaning organization focused on the immigrant community, put the situation more bluntly: She said political parties often engage in half-hearted attempts to engage with the community,...

In a letter sent to Sisolak on Wednesday, a coalition of 60 organizations called on the governor to instead find ways to increase revenue for the state “Increasing revenue rather than cutting programs and services will not only help Nevadans today; it will also help ensure...