Los Niños Héroes, Immigration, Emiliano Zapata - The News You Need
Welcome to the Daily Chela Newsletter. The #1 newsletter for Mexican American voices, news, and culture in the country.
What’s New This Week?
This week’s newsletter is packed with stories to keep you informed and inspired.
Top Story: Los Niños Héroes
Politics: La Mission
History: Who Was Zapata?
More: Stories, Podcasts, Links
How Los Niños Héroes Became a National Legend 🥇
If you grew up in Mexico—or in a Mexican-American household—you probably heard the story. The date was September 1847. The U.S. invasion had reached the gates of the capital. On one side stood Antonio López de Santa Anna—infamous for the Alamo—on the other, General Winfield Scott.
At the heart of the battlefield loomed Chapultepec Castle, a fortress built on a hill during the colonial period, now the last barrier before the Americans could march into the capital. Mexico’s fate hung by a thread.
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Trump Orders Border Wall To Be Painted Black 🥴
President Trump has mandated that the U.S.-Mexico border wall be painted black, a move Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claims will make the wall hotter and more difficult to climb. The administration has allocated $46 million for new wall construction, with about half a mile being built daily.
Critics, however, question the practicality and cost of the black paint initiative, viewing it as a symbolic gesture rather than a substantive policy. Immigration advocates warn that the administration's sweeping arrests have ensnared many individuals with no criminal history, raising concerns about due process.
Who Was The Real Emiliano Zapata? 🔦
Emiliano Zapata was not a saint, but in his situation who can be? When the next president, Francisco Madero, tried to negotiate with him, Zapata argued that his patience had run out because the lands had not been returned to their rightful owners, the peasants.
When the envoys asked him what answer they should bring to the president, Zapata replied: “Tell him that his days are counted. In a month I will be in Mexico City with twenty thousand men and I will have the pleasure of reaching Chapultepec (the presidential residence) and I will take him out and hang him from one of the tallest trees.”
Poll: Chicago Divided Over National Guard Deployment 📊
President Trump's plan to deploy the National Guard to Chicago to address crime has sparked sharp divisions among city leaders and residents. Mayor Brandon Johnson has condemned the move as "illegal and unconstitutional," pledging legal action to block it. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and other state officials have also opposed the deployment, emphasizing that they did not request federal troops.
Residents in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood, one of the city's most crime-affected areas, are split on the issue. Some believe the National Guard could help restore order, while others recall past deployments with fear and distrust.
Trump Immigration Policies Linked To Shrinking Labor Force 📉
Economists are raising alarms as evidence suggests President Trump's aggressive immigration policies are shrinking the U.S. immigrant labor force, contributing to a broader decline in the national labor pool.
Since January, the foreign-born labor force has dropped by 1.2 million workers, with industries heavily reliant on immigrant labor, such as construction and hospitality, experiencing stagnant job growth. Experts warn that sustained reductions in the labor force could hinder economic growth, exacerbate labor shortages, and drive up wages, potentially fueling inflation.
Americans Back Early Voting, Mail-In Ballots, And Voter ID 📩
A new Pew Research survey shows broad support for expanded voting access, with 80% of Americans favoring early in-person voting and 74% supporting making Election Day a federal holiday. Voter ID laws also enjoy widespread approval, with 83% of respondents backing the requirement.
However, mail-in voting remains a contentious issue, with 83% of Democrats supporting it compared to just 32% of Republicans. The partisan divide over mail-in voting has widened significantly since 2020, reflecting growing polarization on election reforms.
Watch American Homeboy In San Jose At The Drive-In! 🚗
Enjoy an evening under the stars with a classic car drive- in movie experience with the screening of “American Homeboy.” Bring a picnic blanket to get up close or watch from our lawn chairs and picnic tables (limited seating available).
Defiant History: Now Streaming On The Daily Chela YouTube Channel! 🍿
Defiant History is a compelling new micro‑documentary series created by filmmaker Brandon Loran Maxwell, best known for his work on American Homeboy. The series is now available to watch on the Daily Chela YouTube channel.
The three‑episode pilot dives into underrepresented slices of American subculture—like lowrider club plaques, Teen Angels magazine, prison‑based rehabilitation efforts, and graffiti art. Featured voices include Compton’s David Oropeza (Tattoo Nation), members of Sullen Art Collective, and artists from the Venice art walls.
More Stories 📌
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