Latest news with #MariaSalazar
Yomiuri Shimbun
17-07-2025
- General
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Human Hair: A Water-Saving Tool in Drought-Hit Chile
SANTIAGO (Reuters) — Small mats of human hair line the base of plants, helping lock in moisture for crops in orchards around Chile that have been struggling with drought for years. The hair, which is turned into sheets and discs of compostable mulch through mechanical weaving, reduces direct evaporation by 71% and saves up to 48% of irrigation water, according to the Matter of Trust Chile foundation, which makes the hair mats.'Hair is very interesting. It contains nutrients, nitrogen, calcium, sulfur and organic matter that is added to the soil, improving it and enhancing plant growth and agricultural production by at least 30%,' said Mattia Carenini, CEO of the foundation. Farmer Maria Salazar said the hair has helped get excellent crop yield from lemon trees in Taltal, about 900 kilometers north of the Chilean capital in the arid Antofagasta region. 'The hair mats are a benefit to the system and water stress we're facing,' Salazar said. 'By providing shade, they maintain a lot of humidity and prevent the sun's rays from evaporating the little water we have.' The foundation was created in 2020 to promote conservation and regeneration through the creative use of waste. The hair is sourced from deals with 350 salons and 10 pet groomers around Chile, with about 2% of the hair used in the mats coming from pets. Other products from the foundation include a liquid fertilizer made from recycled hair and a hair-based absorbent for recovering oils, metals and other contaminants from water.
Newsweek
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Full List of Republicans Backing Citizenship Path for Some Illegal Migrants
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. Nine Republican House lawmakers on Tuesday signed on to the reintroduction of an immigration-related bill called the Dignity Act that legislative sponsors say provides an "updated compromise" addressing legal status and protections for undocumented immigrants, border security, asylum reform, and visa reform. Why It Matters President Donald Trump's promise to lead the most aggressive administration in deterring illegal immigration has led to massive downturns in U.S.-Mexico border crossings and a major uptick in arrests of immigrants, most purported to be in the country illegally. However, other policy aspects, including the mechanisms employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), changes for green card holders, and nefarious effects on workplaces due to a labor shortage, have compounded an issue integral to the president's 2024 campaign. Meanwhile, a new Gallup poll released July 11 showed a steep drop among Republicans wanting immigration levels into the U.S. decreased—falling from 88 percent in 2024, down to 48 percent in June. The same survey showed an increase in Republicans who view immigration's positive effects on the U.S. What To Know U.S. House Representatives Democrat Veronica Escobar of Texas and Republican Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida, on Tuesday, touted the Dignity Act of 2025, which provides a broader legislative framework as opposed to the bipartisan bill of the same name initially introduced in 2023. Salazar, in a post on X, called it "the most impactful immigration reform in a generation." Newsweek reached out to Salazar and Escobar via email for comment. Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL) speaks during a roundtable discussion on the "Take It Down Act" in the Mike Mansfield Room at the U.S. Capitol on March 03, 2025 in Washington, DC. Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL) speaks during a roundtable discussion on the "Take It Down Act" in the Mike Mansfield Room at the U.S. Capitol on March 03, 2025 in Washington, 22-page bill summary presents myriad options for immigration reform, including the following major revisions: Granting legal status and protections to undocumented immigrants already living in the U.S. Reforming the asylum screening process to provide an opportunity for review and access to counsel. Creating new regional processing centers so migrants do not have to make the "perilous journey" to the U.S.-Mexico border to seek asylum. Investing in border security and modernizing land ports of entry. Mandating accountability for ICE. Providing a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers. The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) charges a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee starting next year, for example, while a new Trump policy directive reported Tuesday by The Washington Post would eliminate bond hearings for undocumented immigrants facing deportation—potentially leading to prolonged detention for millions. The following lists all the Republican lawmakers who support the bill: Mario Rafael Diaz-Balart (Florida) Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania) Mike Lawler (New York) Dan Newhouse (Washington) David Valadao (California) Mike Kelly (Pennsylvania) Gabe Evans (Colorado) Marlin Stutzman (Indiana) Don Bacon (Nebraska) Young Kim (California) The following lists all the Democratic lawmakers who support the bill: Salud Carbajal (California) Lori Trahan (Massachusetts) Adam Gray (California) Jake Auchincloss (Massachusetts) Nikki Budzinski (Illinois) Adriano Espaillat (New York) Greg Landsman (Ohio) Susie Lee (Nevada) Mike Levin (California) Laura Gillen (New York) Hillary Scholten (Michigan) Immigration attorney Rosanna Berardi told Newsweek on Tuesday that the legislation faces an "uphill battle" as its legalization conflicts with priorities embedded in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its "enforcement-first" immigration policy. She cited how though the Dignity Act establishes a lengthy "dignity program" that gives undocumented individuals a chance to earn legal status and, eventually, a green card, H.R.1 [One Big Beautiful Bill Act] provides no legalization route and instead "doubles down on immigration enforcement" by funding mass deportations, detention expansions, and border wall construction. Similarly, where the Dignity Act would allow temporary admission through special permission, H.R. 1 tightens those permissions, brings back strict asylum rules, and adds steep new application fees, she said. "Without congressional action to roll back many of the core immigration elements of H.R. 1—especially the funding and restrictions around detention, deportations, and parole—there's really no practical space for the Dignity Act's approach," Berardi said. "However, I do think this framework could help create bipartisan conversations focused on creating easier work-visa access and temporary status for migrant workers in industries like agriculture, hospitality, health care and manufacturing. "I want to believe Congress can find a middle ground on immigration that our economy urgently needs to stabilize the labor supply and provide accountability and legal clarity for the people doing work no one else will." What People Are Saying Representative Maria Elvira Salazar on Tuesday on Fox & Friends: "They did break the law. They are illegals or undocumented. But they have been here for more than five years, contributing to the economy. Those people, someone gave them a job, and they are needed because we need hands in order to continue being the number one economy in the world." Representative Veronica Escobar in a statement: "I have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of our broken immigration system, and as a member of Congress, I take seriously my obligation to propose a solution. Realistic, common-sense compromise is achievable, and is especially important given the urgency of this moment. I consider the Dignity Act of 2025 a critical first step to overhauling this broken system." Representative Adam Gray of California said in a statement, "The Central Valley cannot function without our immigrant community. For generations, people from all over the world have come to the Valley to work hard, pay taxes, and provide for their families. Without them, our economy would crumble. The bipartisan Dignity Act reflects this reality and addresses our broken immigration system, strengthens our southern border, fixes our visa backlog, and grants legal status to hardworking, law-abiding immigrants already living in the United States." Representative Hilary Scholten of Michigan said in a statement, "As an attorney who has worked on immigration issues, both at the nation's top law enforcement agency and at a community legal aid organization, helping migrants in West Michigan, I know this system. I've seen firsthand what patchwork and reactionary immigration policies do to families and communities, and I remain committed to creating a system that is both fair and humane, balancing humanitarian concerns with law enforcement." What Happens Next Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill", signed into law last weekend, drastically increases funding for immigration enforcement efforts, likely leading to more detentions and deportations.
Fox News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Republican lawmaker challenges Democrats' characterization of 'Alligator Alcatraz' after touring facility
Florida Rep. Maria Salazar said the Sunshine State's new "Alligator Alcatraz" detention center meets the "highest of standards" while working to debunk Democrats' claims that its conditions are "cruel." The Republican lawmaker, who represents Florida's 27th congressional district, toured the facility with other legislators over the weekend where she got a firsthand look at the conditions. "I thought that it was a mistake from the authorities not allowing us to talk them," she told "Fox & Friends" co-host Lawrence Jones on Tuesday. "I was able to shout in Spanish. There were around 40 of them in shackles, and I tried to talk with them and ask them… 'How are they treating you?' One of them said, 'Pretty good.' Another one said, 'Not so bad,' but I really wanted to engage. They did not let me." Salazar was able to go inside one of the cages and sit on one of the beds provided for inmates. Though she acknowledged that "no one likes to be inside" cages, she described the ones available as "clean" and the beds as "soft." "They had three metal toilets with a little wall to cover people when they're doing their business. They had two telephones where they can call their attorneys or loved ones," she recalled. "Then they took us to another recreational area, also caged in… with some grass where they could run or do some exercise…. It meets the highest standards for any federal facility that we've done," she added. Other areas contained Spanish Bibles and other religious materials. A separate space where inmates can sit with their attorneys is also provided, she comments — and the tour — come on the heels of Democratic lawmakers recently characterizing the facility as "as bad as it can be."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Florida Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz slammed the detention center as an "internment camp" after visiting on Saturday, saying the conditions witnessed inside the building were "appalling." Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., called the center a "cruel political stunt" and a "spectacle of political theater."
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A water-saving tool in drought-hit Chile: human hair
SANTIAGO (Reuters) -Small mats of human hair line the base of plants, helping lock in moisture for crops in orchards around Chile that have been struggling with drought for years. The hair, which is turned into sheets and discs of compostable mulch through mechanical weaving, reduces direct evaporation by 71% and saves up to 48% of irrigation water, according to the Matter of Trust Chile foundation, which makes the hair mats. "Hair is very interesting. It contains nutrients, nitrogen, calcium, sulfur, and organic matter that is added to the soil, improving it and enhancing plant growth and agricultural production by at least 30%," said Mattia Carenini, CEO of the foundation. Farmer Maria Salazar said the hair has helped get excellent crop yield from lemon trees in Taltal, about 900 kilometers (560 miles) north of the Chilean capital in the arid Antofagasta region. "The hair mats are a benefit to the system and water stress we're facing," Salazar said. "By providing shade, they maintain a lot of humidity and prevent the sun's rays from evaporating the little water we have." The foundation was created in 2020 to promote conservation and regeneration through the creative use of waste. The hair is sourced from deals with 350 salons and 10 pet groomers around Chile, with about 2% of the hair used in the mats coming from pets. Other products from the foundation include a liquid fertilizer made from recycled hair and a hair-based absorbent for recovering oils, metals and other contaminants from water.
CNA
03-07-2025
- General
- CNA
A water-saving tool in drought-hit Chile: human hair
SANTIAGO :Small mats of human hair line the base of plants, helping lock in moisture for crops in orchards around Chile that have been struggling with drought for years. The hair, which is turned into sheets and discs of compostable mulch through mechanical weaving, reduces direct evaporation by 71 per cent and saves up to 48 per cent of irrigation water, according to the Matter of Trust Chile foundation, which makes the hair mats. "Hair is very interesting. It contains nutrients, nitrogen, calcium, sulfur, and organic matter that is added to the soil, improving it and enhancing plant growth and agricultural production by at least 30 per cent," said Mattia Carenini, CEO of the foundation. Farmer Maria Salazar said the hair has helped get excellent crop yield from lemon trees in Taltal, about 900 kilometers (560 miles) north of the Chilean capital in the arid Antofagasta region. "The hair mats are a benefit to the system and water stress we're facing," Salazar said. "By providing shade, they maintain a lot of humidity and prevent the sun's rays from evaporating the little water we have." The foundation was created in 2020 to promote conservation and regeneration through the creative use of waste. The hair is sourced from deals with 350 salons and 10 pet groomers around Chile, with about 2 per cent of the hair used in the mats coming from pets. Other products from the foundation include a liquid fertilizer made from recycled hair and a hair-based absorbent for recovering oils, metals and other contaminants from water.
