Free Republic

Los Angeles mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa said Wednesday that Mexico will play an important role in shaping his policies, reports Mexico's EL UNIVERSAL Online. "We are starting a new era. Instead of closing the borders, as stated by Schwarzenegger, we should look at our border as an opportunity," Villaraigosa said. "This is a time of great importance, not just for us to rediscover our roots, but looking to create a mutually beneficial relationship," added the city's first Latino mayor since 1872. The top L.A. Democrat lamented that the recent passage by Congress of The Real ID Act would prevent illegal aliens...

Deporting gang members triggers boomerang effect: Culture spreads across the Americas, winning recruits who see L.A. as the promised land. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- Marlon Fuentes is a big man in his cell block at Honduras' largest prison. His face is tattooed. His talk is tough. He menaces with threatening stares. A gang member from Hollywood, Fuentes spends his time behind bars impressing Honduran "homies" with his exploits in California. He joined Los Angeles' infamous 18th Street gang when he was 12, was arrested for selling dope and brandishing a deadly weapon, then deported in 1995. Fuentes, 27, is the United...

Hey Southern California... For those of you who listen to talk radio, John and Ken (KFI 64.0, 3-7 p.m.) are planning to launch a BIG attack today on the ridiculous "Special Order 40," which was pushed through by the Los Angeles city council back in the 1970's. This order prevents the police from questioning illegal alien gangbangers about their immigration status, even after they have already been deported previously for a crime. John and Ken are incensed about this one, as we all should be. Sounds like they are gearing up to make dumping this travesty their next big cause....