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Los Angeles Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Mailbag: The Diocese of Orange must not remain silent about ICE raids
As a Catholic and native of Orange County, I've watched my community reel from the recent surge in immigration raids across Southern California. My own family has lost income due to the disappearance of pedestrian traffic near our small business. Friends have had loved ones detained without warning. Many of us feel like our neighborhoods are being occupied. The fear is real — and it's growing. That's why I've been so heartened to see bishops in nearby dioceses step up. Bishop Rojas in San Bernardino issued a dispensation from mass for Catholics afraid to attend. In San Diego, Bishop Pham and clergy accompanied families to immigration court. These are moral acts of presence, not partisanship. Sadly, I can't say the same for the Diocese of Orange. Aside from one vague statement, our diocese has posted more about baseball games and festivals than about the terror many parishioners are enduring. Mass attendance is dropping. People are afraid. And yet, no meaningful pastoral response has come. This is not just a policy issue. This is a spiritual issue. The Church must not abandon the faithful who are hunted in its own neighborhoods. To the Diocese of Orange: if you call yourself a shepherd, now is the time to stand in front of the wolves. There is still time to act. But not much. Colin Martinez LongmoreSanta Ana It was so gratifying to read a story about a positive outcome for this young man, Cameron Rauch. ('Once lagging in school, Huntington Beach teen welds together a solid future,' July 6.) We think all kids should go to college and neglect the ones who, for various reasons, fall behind academically and reach a social dead end before they mature. This is a tribute to programs for young people that explore and develop real world skills. There will always be a need for welders, electricians, plumbers, etc., that cannot be outsourced to foreign countries or replaced by AI. Thanks again for a good news story; must be more out there. Doug PetersonIrvine It was an embarrassment to watch the Huntington Beach Fourth of July parade this year and listen to members of the City Council boast about how wonderful and patriotic our city is, what an honor it is to represent its residents on the Council. Really? Are you aware that Mayor Pat Burns has mouthed profanities, such as 'Another f—ing cow,' when referring to a recent female speaker at a Council meeting and saying 'pieces of s**t,' when referring to three former members of the City Council? Most of these profanities were done on a hot mic situation. If you don't believe me, just Google this and the proof will come up. You can listen for yourself on YouTube. During the City Council meeting on July 1, many impassioned speakers called for the censorship, removal or resignation of Pat Burns, but nothing is done. When the rest of the members sit alongside him and do nothing in response, they are condoning his actions by their silence and are complicit with his actions. I know many of the council members have children. How would they feel if their child or daughter was singled out with such a statement? Would they then take action? I was in healthcare management for more than 35 years, and if one of my staff exhibited behavior such as this, he or she would have been written up or immediately fired. Why do we have to tolerate this disrespect from a council member, now mayor, who swore to represent the residents of our city according to a code of ethics? When will enough be enough? Our beautiful city deserves so much more. Kathleen BungeHuntington Beach
Miami Herald
14-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
How immigration issues can affect Florida real estate. ‘I can't live here.'
Some buyers have the upper hand in Florida, with rising inventory and developers offering sales incentives. But immigration issues also are affecting the real estate market, with uncertainty leading some property owners to sell their homes quickly to capitalize on rising prices. 'There are people leaving, calling me ... to put their house up for sale. 'I'm going back, I can't live here,' ' Gisela Rojas, a broker with Caissa Realty Investment, told el Nuevo Herald. Rojas, based in Orlando but also active in the Miami area said that many of the new listings she is handling are 'people who are returning to Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela and are looking for other places like Spain to start a new life.' 'I'm seeing it up close; most of them are facing immigration uncertainty,' said Rojas, who has a prominent social media presence and appears on Telemundo and Univision. 'They had already achieved the American dream without being residents, with a lot of effort.' Many immigrants bought homes by taking advantage of federal FHA loans, which allow for low down payments of around 3.5%, and other assistance for first-time buyers. They also became homeowners when mortgage interest rates were lower than the current just-under 7%. In most of Florida, a single person needs to earn around $80,000 to own a home, and in more expensive cities like Miami, Doral, Pembroke Pines and Weston, it's closer to $140,000. In addition to the high prices in Miami-Dade, especially compared to wages, buyers in the Miami metropolitan area, which includes Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, are paying mortgage rates above the national average. Mortgages in a buyer-friendly market Those with undefined immigration status who bought property a few years ago now have significant equity in their homes and are selling quickly to take advantage of that, Rojas said. Rojas points out that at a time when properties are staying on the market for 90 to 120 days, buyers can get a lot of benefits from sellers and also from developers, who are trying to drive sales of new construction. 'Builders are offering incentives. Yesterday I was able to put a contract on a new home for $600,000, and they gave the buyer $38,000 for closing costs,' Rojas said. Property appraisals are also coming in below the asking price, sometimes $30,000 less, giving buyers more leeway to persuade sellers to lower the price, he said. With the market in their favor, buyers should look for alternatives to finance. Those who can't qualify for an FHA loan can try for a conventional loan. Other programs require a buyer to have low or limited income, such as HomeReady Mortgage and Home Possible. Offers and incentives for renting in Florida The rental market is trending downward, especially in Central Florida around Orlando, Rojas said. But she hasn't noticed price declines in Miami and other high-demand cities, although there is increasing inventory. 'There are a lot of new condos for rent, and they offer incentives, like three months of free rent and no deposit required,' Rojas said. The real estate agent also sees opportunities for investors, who can buy properties at a discount in areas that will later appreciate in value, while also earning a return on the monthly rent. 'We're talking about two realities because foreign investors are arriving,' Rojas said, 'looking for people desperate to get out of their properties.'
Newsweek
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Dodgers Veteran Infielder Issues 4-Word Statement on Team's Recent Form
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Dodgers have lost six games in a row entering Friday, and their lead in the National League West is shrinking. Frustrations are mounting, and the reinforcements that will be brought in at the deadline can't get here soon enough. However, veteran infielder Miguel Rojas knows the team can control its fate right now. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 05: Miguel Rojas #72 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium on July 05, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 05: Miguel Rojas #72 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium on July 05, 2025 in Los Angeles, California."We have to do better," Rojas told Jack Harris of the Los Anegeles Times. "We gotta find ways to be a complete team that we know we can be." The offense has been the primary issue for the Dodgers over the last two series. They've scored two runs or fewer in five of the last six games. It hasn't been pretty for Los Angeles to say the least, and Rojas didn't hold back on his assessment of the team. "We can't really feel sorry about ourselves, because there's a lot of season left, and we know what we're looking for," Rojas said, per Harris. "We're looking to win another championship, and playing this kind of baseball is not gonna get us there." Los Angeles has been without several key players this season such as Max Muncy and Teoscar Hernandez. While both players are working to come back, their returns can't come soon enough. However, manager Dave Roberts isn't changing his expectations. "We've just got to put some at-bats together, keep playing good defense and it'll turn," Roberts told the LA Times. "When you're mired in it, it's frustrating. But we still have some pretty good players." The Dodgers have a tough series starting Friday night on the road against the San Francisco Giants. Things could quickly go from bad to worse for the Dodgers heading into the All Star break unless they turn it around quickly. More MLB: Red Sox's 'Best Match' at Trade Deadline Could be $81 Million Cardinals Closer
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Southern California bishop suspends weekly Mass obligation over immigration raid fears
A Catholic bishop who oversees a major diocese in Southern California has issued a rare decree, formally allowing parishioners to miss weekly Mass amid fears of immigration raids across the region. San Bernardino Bishop Alberto Rojas announced on July 8 that parishioners who have a "genuine fear" over raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were dispensed from their obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and other holy days of obligation, such as Christmas. Rojas noted that "such fear constitutes a grave inconvenience that may impede the spiritual good of the faithful." "In issuing this decree, I am guided by the Church's mission to care for the spiritual welfare of all entrusted to my care, particularly those who face fear or hardship," Rojas wrote. Such diocesan-wide dispensations are usually issued in response to serious circumstances or during times of crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and social or political unrest. Observant Catholics are required to attend Mass every Sunday and on holy days of obligation, and those who "deliberately fail in this obligation commit grave sin," according to the Roman Catholic Catechism. Rojas' announcement comes after immigration agents detained migrants at two of the diocese's parish properties last month, according to the National Catholic Reporter. A spokesperson for the Diocese of San Bernardino told the newspaper that the ICE detentions occurred on June 20 at the St. Adelaide Parish in Highland, California, where several men were detained, and at Our Lady of Lourdes in Montclair, California, where a "longtime parishioner" was detained. Following the detentions, Rojas said in a letter to his diocese that the immigration enforcement actions were "creating a tremendous amount of fear, confusion and anxiety for many." The bishop called on public officials to "please reconsider and cease these tactics immediately." "We have seen a change and an increase in immigration enforcement in our region and specifically in our diocese," Rojas wrote in the letter. "Authorities are now seizing brothers and sisters indiscriminately, without respect for their right to due process and their dignity as children of God." The Diocese of San Bernardino, east of Los Angeles, was established in 1978 and is the sixth-largest diocese in the United States, according to its website. The diocese says that it serves about 1 million Catholics in San Bernardino County, which is 56.4% Latino, and Riverside County, which is 52.5% Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In Paramount, ICE raids hit hard. Here's why. Special decree comes amid objections over Trump's immigration agenda The Diocese of San Bernardino's decree comes amid growing opposition from Roman Catholic bishops across the United States over President Donald Trump's immigration agenda. Many bishops have echoed the sentiments of Pope Leo XIV and the late Pope Francis, who both criticized Trump's stances on immigration. After taking office in January, Trump dropped a longstanding federal policy against immigration enforcement in sensitive locations, such as schools and places of worship. Multiple religious groups sued the Trump administration over the policy change in February. But in April, a federal judge ruled against the religious groups, refusing to limit the administration's enforcement activity, according to Reuters. Following the 2024 presidential election, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said that it stood in "firm solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters." Multiple other Catholic leaders have also expressed solidarity with immigrants, the Nashville Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. The Diocese of San Bernardino appears to be the first to issue a formal dispensation over immigration enforcement. In May, the Diocese of Nashville in Tennessee advised caution for attending Mass, according to the Tennessean. "We are very concerned that the immigration enforcement activities in the Nashville area are going well beyond efforts to target individuals accused of serious and dangerous crimes,' the Diocese of Nashville said in a statement to The Tennessean. "Concerns about the lack of due process under law for those picked up in the current environment are creating even greater fear within our communities, including the fear of being confronted or detained while attending Mass or other events at our parishes." Protests against ICE raids: Local protests build in response to Trump's stepped up immigration raids Trump's immigration crackdown in California In recent months, the Trump administration has intensified its deportation efforts in California with immigration raids at workplaces, traffic stops, and routine legal check-ins. A series of raids across Los Angeles County sparked intense protests in June. After the protests — which mainly occurred in a small area of downtown Los Angeles — began on June 6, Trump took several swift actions, including calling in the 4,000 California National Guard troops and 700 Marines. The decision drew ire from California officials who accused the president of stoking tension and escalating unrest. State and local officials have also repeatedly denounced the federal immigration raids. Earlier this week, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned federal agents and National Guard troops for descending on a city park. Armored vehicles, mounted officers, and armed troops briefly swarmed MacArthur Park in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles before leaving. Bass said 20 children were playing at the park before the troops surged through and shared footage of federal officers running through the park. "Franky, it is outrageous and un-American that we have federal armed vehicles in our parks when nothing is going on in our parks," Bass said at a July 7 news conference. "It is outrageous and un-American that the federal government seized our state's National Guard. It's outrageous and un-American that we have U.S. Marines who are trained to kill foreign soldiers overseas, deployed in our American city." 'Standing up for those who cannot': Immigrant justice advocates say FBI is targeting LA protest organizers Contributing: Christopher Cann and Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY; Liam Adams, Nashville Tennessean; Reuters
Boston Globe
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
California bishop suspends Mass obligation due to immigration fears
'Sadly, that includes attending Mass. The recent apprehension of individuals at two of our Catholic parishes has only intensified that fear. I want our immigrant communities to know that their Church stands with them and walks with them through this trying time.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Save for a serious reason, Catholics are obligated by their faith to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation. In May, the Advertisement Rojas is an immigrant himself. He was born and raised in Aguascalientes, Mexico. He has been consistent in his support of immigrants and said when he assumed this role that it would be one of his top priorities. In early June, the Trump administration significantly ramped up immigration arrests and raids in Southern California, particularly in Los Angeles, with federal agents Advertisement Last month, as federal agents made arrests and the federal government deployed the National Guard to maintain order amid protests in Los Angeles, Rojas issued a statement calling out federal agents entering parish properties and 'seizing several people,' creating an environment of fear and confusion. 'It is not of the Gospel of Jesus Christ — which guides us in all that we do,' he said. 'I ask all political leaders and decision-makers to please reconsider these tactics immediately in favor of an approach that respects human rights and human dignity and builds toward a more lasting, comprehensive reform of our immigration system.' Created in 1978, the diocese serves over 1.5 million Catholics in Riverside County, which is 52.5% Latino and San Bernardino County, which is 56.4% Latino, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. Members of local parishes who are in the U.S. without documents have made positive contributions to their communities 'with no other issues than their legal status,' the bishop said. 'Most of them are here because they wanted to save their families; they had no other option. I believe that they would love to be legalized, but who can help them?' Rojas said he knows these people would be in church but for the threat to their safety and their family unity. 'With all the worry and anxiety that they are feeling I wanted to take away, for a time, the burden they may be feeling from not being able to fulfill this commitment to which our Catholic faithful are called,' Rojas said. Advertisement Pastor Omar Coronado with Inland Congregations United for Change, a faith-based nonprofit serving Riverside and San Bernardino counties, called the bishop's decree 'an extraordinary act of moral courage and pastoral care.' At a time when so many families are living in fear and uncertainty, the Bishop's voice offers not just protection but hope," he said in a statement. 'We're deeply grateful for his leadership in reminding us that faith is not meant to hide behind walls, but to stand with the vulnerable.' The Diocese of San Bernardino is the nation's fifth-largest Catholic diocese and second-largest in California next to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which is the largest in the country with about 5 million members. Neither the Los Angeles Archdiocese nor the neighboring Diocese of Orange, which serves about 1.3 million Catholics, has issued similar dispensations. A spokesperson for the Diocese of Orange said they have in recent weeks taken steps to support the immigrant community, including asking priests to bring Communion and celebrate Mass in the homes of those who are fearful of leaving their homes. The diocese has also shared protocols with parishes and Catholic schools to help them prepare and respond properly to the presence of immigration officials on church or school grounds, he said. In addition, the diocese is also coordinating efforts to have priests and deacons accompany and spiritually support people at immigration court hearings. Parishes under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are also continuing to 'provide outreach to families and individuals that have been impacted,' an archdiocese spokesperson said.
