Latest news with #Cuban-American
Newsweek
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Trump Supporter Detained by ICE Thought Only Criminals Would Be Deported
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 father of a Trump-supporting Latino family in Florida who has been detained and faces deportation says he thought President Donald Trump was only going to go after criminals regarding immigration. He appears to be one of a growing number of migrants supporting President Donald Trump who did not realize the full implications of his administration's mass deportation policies. Newsweek contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) via email and President Trump's office via online form for comment on Friday. Why It Matters President Trump was elected on a platform that included strict immigration enforcement, with a focus on deporting individuals living in the U.S. without legal status. While he initially stated that criminals would be the primary target, his administration later clarified that all undocumented individuals would be subject to enforcement actions. In recent months, some Latino voters who supported Trump have expressed concern as members of their communities, including individuals without criminal records, have been detained and face deportation. Federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on June 20, 2025 in New York City. Federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on June 20, 2025 in New York To Know In Florida, Trump won almost 70 percent of the Cuban-American vote in 2024. Recent interviews with Latino families who supported the president reflect growing concern, as some individuals who believed they were not at risk are now being arrested by ICE. As reported previously by Newsweek, one Florida man who voted for President Trump has lost nearly one-third of his employees amid immigration raids. In a report by NBC News, several families in Florida claim to be affected by the latest wave of deportations under Trump's immigration policies. According to the report, Cuban and Venezuelan immigrants were one of Trump's most loyal voting blocs. However, a recent poll shows 22 percent of Venezuelan Americans who voted for President Trump now regret their vote, as the Trump administration moves to end Temporary Legal Status, or TPS, for over half a million people who arrived during the Biden administration. In Miami, a Republican stronghold, one woman interviewed says she came to the U.S. from Cuba on humanitarian parole in 2023. Her husband crossed the border with Mexico twice, once in 2019 when he was detained and deported, and again in 2022. According to the report, six weeks ago, he was taken into custody at his residency hearing. He was given an appointment to go to ICE, and from there was detained and transferred to a detention center in Texas. Speaking to NBC News by telephone from the facility, when asked about the current situation with deportations, the man said in Spanish, translated by the reporter, that he did not understand how this could happen. When asked what he thought would happen when Trump won, the man said that he believed the president when he said he was going to deport criminals. His wife is now left with her children, including a 7-month-old baby, and the man's 70-year-old grandmother, who has been a U.S. citizen for years. What People Are Saying Florida Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, in a statement earlier this month: "President Trump himself has acknowledged what so many of us already know: longtime workers, many of whom have built their lives in this country, are being taken away. Our construction sites, our hotels, and our farms are feeling the impact. It's time for Congress to act and bring a solution. That's why, before the end of the month, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and I will lead a bipartisan group of our colleagues in introducing a revolutionary piece of legislation that will offer real solutions to fix our immigration system and finally bring order to chaos for good." Ileana Garcia, co-founder of a pro-Trump Latina advocacy group, as reported by U.K. news outlet The Guardian, sharply criticized the president over recent immigration-related arrests earlier this month, calling them "unacceptable and inhumane and saying: "This is not what we voted for." What Happens Next The ripple effects of the ICE detentions and deportations are expected to continue to impact families and businesses across the country for some time to come.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Jeff Bezos educational qualification and career path: How this Princeton graduate built Amazon and flew to space
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez As billionaire entrepreneur Jeff Bezos's marriage to journalist Lauren Sánchez unfolds today in Venice, attention is once again drawn to the staggering journey of the man who transformed the way the world shops, reads, and even thinks about space. The ceremony, which had to be relocated due to protests over overtourism, now takes place in the historic Arsenale complex in Venice's Castello district, as reported by The Guardian . Bezos's rise is inextricably tied not only to his staggering wealth and business empire but also to a formative academic foundation, one that laid the blueprint for an audacious career that redefined e-commerce, cloud computing, and private space exploration. Early curiosity and academic brilliance marked his childhood Born Jeffrey Preston Jorgensen on January 12, 1964, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Bezos was raised by a teenage mother and, later, by his adoptive Cuban-American father, Mike Bezos. His childhood was defined by curiosity, mechanical inventiveness, and time spent on his grandfather's Texas ranch, where he learned the value of self-reliance. He displayed a strong aptitude for science and technology early on — once installing an electric alarm to keep his siblings out of his room. While attending Miami Palmetto High School, Bezos worked at McDonald's and earned accolades including being a National Merit Scholar and a Silver Knight Award winner, according to The Miami Herald . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Kamiq 130 Edition. Pensato con quello che desideri, di serie. Škoda Scopri di più Undo He also attended the Student Science Training Program at the University of Florida. In his valedictorian speech, Bezos proclaimed his dream of colonizing space and turning Earth into a "national park" — a quote that would later mirror his ambitions with Blue Origin, his aerospace company. Princeton University shaped his tech-first mindset After high school, Bezos enrolled at Princeton University in 1982. He initially majored in physics but later switched to electrical engineering and computer science — a pivotal decision that steered him toward the digital revolution. As he later admitted during a 2018 talk at the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., he abandoned his physicist dreams after being bested in a math problem by a fellow student. Bezos graduated summa cum laude in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Tau Beta Pi, and served as president of the Princeton chapter of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS). He was also a member of the Quadrangle Club and graduated with a reported GPA of 4.2. Wall Street to a garage: Bezos's unconventional career launch Post-Princeton, Bezos was courted by major firms like Intel and Bell Labs but began his career at Fitel, a fintech firm, before moving into banking at Bankers Trust. He eventually landed at hedge fund D.E. Shaw & Co., where he rose to senior vice-president by age 30. But it was a road trip from New York to Seattle in 1994 that changed everything. Armed with a business plan written in the car, Bezos founded Amazon in a garage — originally a humble online bookstore. Supported by a $300,000 investment from his parents, Amazon grew into the world's largest e-commerce and cloud computing empire, spawning entire industries and altering consumer behavior globally. A space pioneer with a 1982 dream realized In 2000, Bezos founded Blue Origin, citing the same passion for space travel he voiced in high school. By 2015, the company's New Shepard rocket had reached space and landed back on Earth successfully. On July 20, 2021, Bezos himself flew into space aboard NS-16, a milestone that made his childhood vision real. As reported by CNBC , Bezos has sold billions in Amazon stock to fund Blue Origin's ambitions, vowing to move industry off Earth and protect its natural environment. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
ProjectArt builds community, empowers youth through exciting Miami exhibit
In a time when federal funding for the arts is facing cuts across the country, ProjectArt is hosting an important exhibit that is free and open to all. 'Told, Retold: The Pedagogy of Knowing and Becoming' showcases stunning pieces by five mentoring artists alongside works created by their students, ages 4-18. Many of the young artists are experiencing their first gallery moment. The exhibit is open until July 11 at Green Space Miami. 'A lot of these families have never stepped foot in a gallery, and now their children's artwork is adorning its walls,' said Adarsh Alphons, ProjectArt founder and executive director. 'They come dressed to the nines, and they point and talk to everyone. They show and tell their artwork to everyone who comes to the show, and it's just an easy way to build pride in children. ProjectArt's innovative model places teaching artists in public libraries and turns underutilized spaces into thriving community hubs. The five resident artists in the Miami exhibit are Jevon Brown, Agua Dulce, Ashley Castañeda, Isabella Garcia and Katherine (Neco) Kafruni. 'This is our first establishment of partnership, founded on a shared commitment to cultivating engagement and supporting Miami's local artists. Our collaboration with ProjectArt brings together artists, libraries, literary organizations and students of all ages,' said Kimberly Green, president of the Green Family Foundation. The award-winning nonprofit, started by Alphons in 2011, has empowered more than 13,000 youths and 350 artists nationwide through free arts education in public libraries. ProjectArt is one of many programs that received a letter of notice to withdraw funding, but the organization is committed to its mission of 'empowering youth, artists and communities through art.' Everyone is invited to the exhibit at 7200 Biscayne Blvd., noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. More at and Cuban-American Luis Bergolla has welcomed travelers to Miami for more than 40 years. Sonesta Miami Airport HE'S GREETED TOURISTS FOR 40 YEARS When Luis Bergolla emigrated from Cuba in 1980, he never dreamed he'd find a job welcoming world travelers to his new home. Miami's working population is well known for its determination and sense of community, and Bergolla, now 64, is the embodiment of perseverance. He joined the staff at the property now named Sonesta Miami Airport as an airport shuttle driver. And what he originally thought would be a temporary decision evolved into more than four decades of serving the community. 'The constant influx of travelers from Miami International Airport and Port Miami would be stressful for any employee to manage on a day-to-day basis, but Luis considers this to be the best part of his day,' said Alex Alvarez, general manager at Sonesta Miami Airport. 'Throughout his tenure, he has both created long-lasting relationships with guests from all over the world and strengthened bonds with his coworkers, whom he considers family. Emigrating from what he knew as home with only a dream, he has not only contributed to Miami's rich sense of culture and community but encouraged travelers to do the same.' Bergolla has been there through all the property's identities, including a Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and now Sonesta. Through the changes he has been the one face to remain, warmly welcoming visitors after long days of travel. Bergolla is the longest tenured employee at the recently renovated hotel. 'In his 41 years on the property, he has amassed a wealth of industry knowledge, established connections with recurring guests and served as a friendly face for individuals traveling from Latin American countries with minimal English-speaking skills,' Alvarez said. More importantly, perhaps, is that in addition to creating his own American dream through hard work, he has inspired others to do the same in the constantly-evolving Miami. 'Sonesta Miami Airport feels like family,' Bergolla said. 'That's what makes coming to work so special.' CULINARY COURSE HELPS WOMEN ACHIEVE Congratulations to seven women who are celebrating completing their culinary skills training program, a collaboration between CareerSource South Florida and the Agape Network. The transformative course is designed to empower women facing challenges such as substance abuse or poverty through a holistic approach to help them 'rebuild their lives, develop new skills and enter the workforce with a fresh sense of purpose.' 'This program has been life-changing for these women,' said Rick Beasley, executive director of CareerSource South Florida. 'Many of these women are mothers, juggling the responsibilities of caregiving while working hard to improve their mental health. This key intervention has not only opened doors to new opportunities but has also brought about a dramatic shift in their lives for the better.' The graduation ceremony at Agape marked another successful completion of the regionally recognized eight-week culinary training course. Upon graduation, CareerSource South Florida stepped in to connect the women with local employers. Five of the graduates had secured employment offers even before receiving their diplomas, giving them the security of earning a degree and beginning a new job at the same time. 'I encourage other women struggling with substance abuse to reach out to Agape and explore their options,' said one program participant. 'For me, overcoming mental health challenges was the first step toward wanting to get an education. Both were about seeking help, advocating for yourself and being determined. Through this program, I've found a new career and a renewed sense of purpose.' Learn more at and Write to ChristinaMMayo@ with news for this column.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
JOSEPH HERNANDEZ, INDEPENDENT ENTREPRENEUR, FILES 15,000 PETITION SIGNATURES AND LAUNCHES MAYORAL CAMPAIGN TO RESTORE SAFETY AND BRING BACK COMMON SENSE TO NYC
Cuban-American entrepreneur and first-time candidate Joseph Hernandez launches mayoral bid, offering a bold alternative focused on safety, affordability, and independent leadership. NEW YORK, June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Joseph Hernandez, a Cuban-American biotech entrepreneur and first-time candidate, officially launched his independent campaign for Mayor of New York City today, pledging to restore safety, affordability, and leadership that works for all five boroughs. The announcement follows a major campaign milestone: Hernandez recently qualified for the general election ballot by submitting nearly 15,000 petition signatures, close to four times the required threshold, to the New York City Board of Elections. "This campaign is about restoring the promise of New York," said Hernandez. "We collected close to 15,000 signatures in just a few short weeks, not with party machines, but with real people who are tired of excuses, tired of decline, and ready for change. That kind of grassroots momentum tells you everything you need to know." Born in Camagüey, Cuba, Hernandez immigrated to the United States at age seven after his family fled communist rule. Raised by working-class parents, he went on to build a nationally recognized career in biotechnology, founding multiple healthcare companies, raising over $1 billion in private and public capital, and delivering breakthrough public health solutions. While others offer recycled talking points, extreme ideology, or political theatrics, Hernandez brings something different: real-world experience, independent thinking, and the courage to lead without party strings attached. His campaign isn't built on legacy, ideology, or headlines, it's built on solutions that work for everyday New Yorkers. Now, he is entering public life not out of political ambition, but from a deep belief that New York City is in crisis, and it is time for serious, experienced, independent leadership. His campaign is focused on delivering real solutions: restoring public safety, tackling the housing crisis, fixing our failing schools, addressing homelessness and mental health, and cutting government waste through smart technology. "I congratulate Assembly member Zohran Mamdani on his victory. While I respect his passion for public service, we offer two very different visions for New York," Hernandez added. "Zohran embraces socialism—I lived under it. I know firsthand that socialism may promise equality, but in practice, it strips away freedom, opportunity, and prosperity. It's not what made America the most innovative and dynamic nation on Earth." "I'm running as an independent because I believe New York doesn't need more ideology—we need solutions. I believe in hard work, safe streets, clean subways, good schools, and the chance for every New Yorker to rise. Let's build a city that honors our immigrant roots, rewards responsibility, and protects the freedoms that make America—and New York—so exceptional." Joseph Hernandez will appear on the general election ballot this November as an independent candidate for Mayor of New York City. About Joseph Hernandez:Joseph Hernandez is a Cuban-American biotech entrepreneur and independent candidate for Mayor of New York City. A refugee and the son of a political prisoner, he immigrated to the U.S. at age seven and built a nationally recognized career founding healthcare companies and advancing public health innovation. He is running to restore safety, affordability, and accountability to New York City leadership. For more information, visit Contact:Brennan GormanHernandez for NYC(631) 921-5749press@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Hernandez for NYC Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
‘Betrayal': Donor yanks $1M from FIU over undocumented student tuition hike
Miami businessman and philanthropist Miguel 'Mike' Fernandez has suspended a $1 million donation to Florida International University in protest of Florida's decision to strip in-state tuition benefits from undocumented students — a policy that was until recently endorsed by FIU's new president, Jeanette Nuñez. In a June 4 letter to Shlomi Dinar, dean of FIU's Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs, Fernandez denounced the tuition hike as 'punitive' and called for the state to restore 'fairness and opportunity.' Fernandez' now-suspended $1 million pledge was meant to fund first-generation student scholarships through the school's Maurice A. Ferré Institute for Civic Leadership. 'I cannot remain silent while thousands of Florida's young residents are excluded from the opportunity to experience higher education,' Fernandez wrote. Fernandez, who describes himself as a lifelong Republican until the election of Donald Trump in 2016, did not mince words about Nuñez's reversal on the tuition equity law she once championed. As a state legislator in 2014, Nuñez, who is Cuban-American, helped pass the law that allowed undocumented students to pay in-state tuition if they had gone to high school in the state for at least three consecutive years and enrolled in college within two years of graduating from high school, arguing at the time, 'Let's not hold these children responsible for actions that their parents took.' But in January, shortly before stepping down as Gov. Ron DeSantis' lieutenant governor for the FIU job, Nuñez declared the law had 'run its course' and that 'Florida will not incentivize illegal immigration through this law or any other.' Fernandez, a healthcare industry magnate, said he thought Nuñez's about-face was 'at the lowest level of ethical behavior' 'If I had to pay that price to betray children, I would rather be bankrupt,' Fernandez said in an interview Monday. 'I find it immoral, and I find that a betrayal of the greatest level for someone to do this to her own community.' The elimination of in-state tuition eligibility for undocumented students was part of the Florida GOP's immigration package, signed by DeSantis in January. For students at FIU, tuition will jump from approximately $205 to $619 per credit hour, a 250% increase. Just this year, 6,500 students across Florida — the majority of which are likely undocumented — have benefited from the in-state tuition rule. FIU, the nation's largest Hispanic-serving institution, estimates about 500 students will be affected. Fernandez, who arrived undocumented in the U.S. from Mexico in 1964, lobbied hard for the legislation for years before it was passed in 2014, still has a copy of the bill in his Coral Gables office. 'Mike was instrumental in that legislation passing,' said Will Weatherford, who served as House Speaker in 2014. Fernandez was 'encouraging me and others to have an open heart to the concept that kids shouldn't be punished for decisions of their parents, and it resonated.' Nuñez, reached through an FIU spokesperson Monday, didn't immediately respond for comment. For Fernandez, the controversy extends beyond tuition. Earlier this year, FIU police voluntarily entered into an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, authorizing campus police to train officers to help identify and detain individuals suspected of immigration violations. The partnership, backed by Nuñez, has sparked protests from students and faculty concerned about racial profiling and fear among immigrant communities. 'No one in this county should be putting our citizens to be kidnapped by people in masks, without ID, who surround you and, in some cases, abuse you,' Fernandez said. 'Our local law enforcement should not be sucked into that process of doing federal work.' FIU officials defend the agreement, emphasizing officer training and adherence to state law, while President Nuñez maintains the partnership 'upholds the rule of law.' The tuition rollback is slated to take effect on July 1 for the 2025-26 academic year. The Florida Education Association warns that universities could lose up to $15 million in revenue as undocumented students priced out of public schools may leave Florida altogether. Since Florida canceled in-state tuition for undocumented students, a scholarship program for undocumented students, decided it would no longer fund scholarships at eight Florida universities. And just last week, the Board of Governors of the state's university system voted to allow schools to increase out-of-state tuition by up to 10 percent. For Fernandez, the fight transcends dollars and cents. 'Decades ago, children of undocumented immigrants faced exorbitant tuition fees,' Fernandez wrote in his letter to FIU. 'After ten years of persistent efforts, we achieved a significant victory. It is troubling to see that progress undone.'
