Latest news with #Azorean
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Portuguese families 'living under fear' are leaving US, returning to Azores. Here's why.
NEW BEDFORD — Between 15 and 20 families of Azorean Portuguese descent have gotten their paperwork together, purchased a plane ticket, and flown back to the Azores, according to Helena da Silva Hughes, president of the nonprofit Immigrants' Assistance Center at 58 Crapo St. in New Bedford. Hughes said about 1,000 undocumented families living in Greater Fall River who visited the United States and overstayed their tourist visas — while putting down roots deep enough to run businesses, purchase homes and start families — are now planning to return to Western Portugal and the Azores Islands, where they still have family and community connections. 'Families sold everything to come here,' Hughes said. Now, she said, they're selling homes and businesses 'to go back.' Cleaning businesses, restaurants and construction are just some of the businesses Hughes said are common in SouthCoast communities where visa-holders of Portuguese descent are willing to work under the table in return for economic opportunity and the chance to provide their children with 'a better life.' 'Living under this fear,' said Hughes — fear that keeps them from leaving their homes for work or sending their children to school — 'is no way to live.' Back in court: Despite dismissal new hearing set for Guatemalan man arrested by ICE in New Bedford As of May 5, the Department of Homeland Security under President Donald J. Trump issued a proposal offering $1,000 stipends and free airfare to immigrants who deport themselves as part of the current administration's crackdown on illegal immigration since January. The latest proposal enhances the department's previous encouragement to undocumented immigrants to leave, using the Customs and Border Protection's CBP Home App. The department has estimated paying for voluntary deportations would be less expensive than the current average of $17,121 to arrest, detain and remove an undocumented immigrant. 'If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest,' DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. Hughes said Portuguese, Cape Verde and Brazilian families, especially those with children, heard this message and are in the process of leaving the United States on their own accord as soon as the school year ends. But, she said, they are less comfortable adding their information to the CBP registry. The app is linked to a user's name, uses facial recognition, and can track a user's location through the phone's GPS. People who are self-deporging report that they are asked to take a photo of themselves, provide personally identifying information, disclose whether they have a passport from another country, and say whether they "have enough money to depart the United States." Trump told reporters at the White House on May 5 that courts have made it difficult to deport immigrants, but that he hopes the Supreme Court will eventually side with his administration. Trump said migrants who deport themselves could receive some money, get 'a beautiful flight back to where they came from,' and have the chance to return to the United States if they work hard. Community in fear: ICE fliers seeking 'unaccompanied alien' children frighten New Bedford immigrants Hughes, who was invited to participate in summit talks in São Miguel with the Azorean government and other regional agencies to learn how they can support the undocumented, said 'the biggest challenge the island now has is educating American children.' Hughes cited the difficulty in tracking returning families who have simply updated their passports and bought an international flight. She said she has advised Azorean government officials to check school enrollments for an uptick in U.S.-born students. Amid what Hughes is calling 'anti-immigrant sentiment,' on account of an 'unjust narrative' that targets 'criminals,' she maintained that not all ethnic groups have equal opportunities to depart voluntarily from the U.S. Central and South Americans have illegally crossed the border to flee gangs, political upheaval and economic downturn, Hughes said. These families often hire and later compensate coyotes thousands of dollars to help their families cross the border. Migrant workers must repay them or they risk their family's safety at home. 'Immigration is very complicated,' Hughes said. Trump has said people with final deportation orders should be a priority for removal although many have families, jobs and established ties in the United States. "If they miss that limit, they're going to be taken out of our country," Trump said recently. "And they will never get a path to come back in. And it will be a much tougher process." Hughes said immigration in the 1970s and '80s followed roughly a two-and-a-half-year process initiated by a citizen who could petition for family members to join them in the United States. Now, the legal process stretches to 12 years, she said, citing the need for immigration reform. Homeland Security has said migrants who agree to leave voluntarily will be less of a priority for detention and removal, adding that participation in the program may preserve the option for them to re-enter the United States legally in the future. But fears about the promises made by the Trump administration persist, Hughes said, leading most families to avoid the registry and leave quietly instead. She added that the $1,000 stipend is "not a lot" — nowhere near enough for someone to rebuild a life overseas. 'What's happening now,' Hughes said, 'no one has ever seen.' With USA Today reports. This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Greater Fall River families return to the Azores to avoid deportation
Business Insider
26-04-2025
- Business Insider
My husband and I went on a cruise to celebrate my 500th day sober. Traveling without drinking has gotten easier over time.
It's been more than 520 days since I last had an alcoholic beverage. It feels like quite an accomplishment, considering in my pre-sobriety days, I'd been known to polish off an entire bottle of wine in one evening or skip my early-morning gym workout due to a hangover. Since I'd hit the legal drinking age, my vacations had been synonymous with cocktails by the pool and rosé on the patio, so one of my biggest worries in my early days of sobriety was what travel would look like when I wasn't drinking. Soon after I stopped drinking alcohol, I traveled on an expedition cruise, whale-watching in Mexico through National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions. I remember being thrilled for the experience, but also nervous about the all-inclusive alcohol on the ship. Staying sober on vacation was easier than I thought, but it was a struggle to watch other passengers, including my husband, throw back a few glasses of wine at dinner or sip craft cocktails at the ship's bar. I've often been told sobriety is a muscle, and the more you exercise it, the easier it gets to pass up booze. It's true: Since my first sober vacation, I've visited an all-inclusive resort in St. Vincent, stayed alcohol-free during a solo trip to London, and even faced my fears at some of my favorite Florida theme park Halloween events without liquid courage. So when my husband and I talked about taking a trip together to celebrate making it to 500 days sober — this time, an expedition cruise around Portugal's Azores islands — I didn't worry at all. An expedition cruise felt like the perfect vacation for celebrating my sobriety wins On our cruise around the Azores, we stopped at seven islands and spent our days hiking, walking, and exploring. We learned about Azorean history and culture, ate some incredible local dishes, saw breathtaking views, and hit lots of cafés and shops in quaint Azorean towns. In the evenings, we sat at communal dinner tables with other guests and had great conversations late into the night. The trip was unique and special, and being sober throughout every moment of it felt like the perfect way to enjoy it. I'm more physically able to enjoy my travels Expedition cruises are among the most physically demanding trips I've ever taken. Not only are there full days of hiking and walking around towns, but there are lots of stairs aboard the ship and activities like early-morning stretch classes. Most days begin with an early-morning wake-up call around 6 or 7 a.m., followed by a mad dash to get ready, eat breakfast, and disembark the ship for adventure. Had I been staying up late drinking and waking up hungover, I'd never have enjoyed these activities as much as I did. What's more, I was overwhelmed with pride each time I succeeded at completing a difficult hike, since in my drinking days, my physical health wasn't as good as it is now. I make more memories now When I traveled and drank alcohol, there were always parts of my vacation that were a blur. Too many Aperol spritzes in Italy, and I can only remember a day we spent in Florence through photos. Bottles of wine poolside on a Caribbean cruise? There are blocks of that day I barely recall. Traveling sober has allowed me to remember more of my vacations, like when we were picked to sleep overnight in one of the heated igloos on our ship's upper deck. Where I previously would have had several cocktails and fallen asleep, I'll now remember having a candle-lit sleepover with my husband in a glass igloo as we looked at the stars and watched movies on my iPad. In fact, all of my memories of the trip, from hiking to the top of a volcano to watching dolphins swim alongside our ship, are permanent fixtures in my booze-free brain. Sobriety has only made travel better Looking back at the expedition cruise we took last year, when I was only a few months sober, I wish I could tell that version of myself how much better travel would continue to get without alcohol. My biggest focus during travel used to be my next drink, and now I spend vacations breathing in the fresh ocean air, proving how strong my body is through hiking, and appreciating local cuisine, which tastes way better when not drowned in alcoholic drinks. I'm more present, more relaxed, more energetic, and more ready to enjoy everything I do and see on my trip. Travel has only gotten better in more than 500 days of sobriety, and I've been able to enjoy every moment in every destination.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fall River Eats: Food Trucks at the Gates to return; Bajah's Cat Cafe fundraiser
Not sure where to grab a bite to eat? With lots of options around the Fall River area, it can be difficult to choose. If you're having a hard time, we're here to help you narrow it down. We've compiled a list of meal deals, special events, and mouth-watering offerings at local eateries and markets to consider when planning your next night on the town, or a quick stop for a tasty treat. This week, we've got a sneak peek at the return of Fall River Food Trucks at the Gates. Plus, sip and shop with cookbook author Maria Lawton at Portugalia Marketplace. We've also got where you can get a free boba on your birthday, plus cheesecake, fish sandwiches, fish and chips, and even a fundraising event for Bajah's Cat Cafe. Let's dig in: Local foodies have another event to add to their spring calendar: Fall River Food Trucks at the Gates is back for another season, starting in May. The first event will be held on Thursday, May 29, from 5 p.m. to sunset. At The Gates of the City, with Fall River's waterfront as a picturesque background, hungry diners can enjoy a variety of offerings from a line-up of food trucks, plus local beer and wine from Party with Primo and Troy City Brewing. There will be live music too. This event is made possible in partnership with the City of Fall River and Mayor Paul Coogan's office, and is produced by PVD Food Truck Events. Entry is free; you just pay for what you eat and drink. Food trucks accept cash, credit, and debit cards. Smoking, vaping, and e-cigarettes are prohibited. Guests are not permitted to bring their own coolers with alcohol. Pets are not encouraged. Guests should try to take recyclable items home with them. For an updated list of food trucks that will be attending throughout the season, visit The next Fall River Food Trucks at the Gates events will be on Thursday, July 31, and Thursday, Aug. 14. Edible Southeastern Massachusetts will be at Portugalia Marketplace, 489 Bedford St., Fall River, hosting a special event with Maria Lawton. Sip and shop with Maria Lawton, host of the award-winning 'Maria's Portuguese Table' on PBS, on Wednesday, April 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. Learn how to shop like an Azorean local and celebrate the release of Lawton's newest cookbook, 'At My Portuguese Table: Azorean Cooking and More.' Find tickets online at Fall River Eats: Here's when Evelyn's Drive-In will open for the season If you're looking for a little treat on your birthday, you can get a free birthday boba from Mr. Chen, 210 Rhode Island Ave., Fall River. No purchase necessary; just show your ID. New space: Pink Bean reveals its revamped coffee shop. Look at its new Somerset expansion POP Culture Cake Pops, 1 Chace Rd., Freetown, has a new cheesecake flavor: Post Malone Oreo salted caramel cheesecake. Christopher's, 1816 S. Main St., and Christopher & Nate's, 99 S. Main St., Fall River, will both be serving up panko baked haddock sandwiches on Friday. Give them a call at 774-955-1937 to reserve yours. Bajah's Cat Cafe will be holding Kiki's 7th birthday fundraiser at The Eagle Event Center, 35 N. Main St., Fall River on Sunday, April 27, from noon to 4 p.m. Light fare is included in the ticket price, which is $15. There will be vendors and crafters, raffles, and a photo station with Kiki and Oliver. Prospective vendors can send an email to BajahsCatCafe@ And, since it is Kiki's birthday, there will be birthday cake. 'This is our most important fundraiser of the year – we truly need your support to help us grow Bajah's Rescue!' the cafe wrote in a March 15 Facebook post. For tickets, and more information, visit Kathy's Coffee Shop, 133 State Rd., Westport, will have air-fried fish and chips on Friday, March 21, for $12.99. Do you have a special deal, menu item, or food-related event to share with local foodies? Send us an email at kfontes@ or news@ This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River Eats: Food Trucks at the Gates to return in May
