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The Herald Scotland
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Shakira laments 'constant fear' faced by immigrants
"I was only 19 when I moved to the U.S., like many other Colombian immigrants who come to this country looking for a better future," Shakira told the British outlet. "And I remember I was surrounded by Spanish-English dictionaries and synonym dictionaries -- because back in the day, I didn't really have Google or ChatGPT to (help). So, it was all very precarious." The Grammy-winning songstress, known for her bilingual dance hits, also got candid on the tensions faced by many immigrants amid the Trump administration's sweeping deportation efforts, which have sparked nationwide protests. "It means living in constant fear. And it's painful to see," she said. Earlier this month, several demonstrations erupted across Los Angeles in response to a handful of immigration raids. The federal invasions, carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, took place in several parts of the city as part of a directive from President Donald Trump to find immigrants living in the United States without legal status. The White House previously set a goal of removing 1 million people annually, making good on Trump's campaign promise to conduct the largest deportation operation in history. Shakira interview: Singer talks tour, special guests and prioritizing her kids After small protests against the raids on June 6, Trump took several swift actions, including calling in the 4,000 California National Guard troops and 700 Marines, which drew ire -- and at least one lawsuit -- from state officials who accused the president of stoking tension and escalating unrest. "Now, more than ever, we have to remain united," Shakira continued. "Now, more than ever, we have to raise our voices and make it very clear that a country can change its immigration policies, but the treatment of all people must always be humane." Shakira vows to 'always fight' with 'my immigrant brothers and sisters' in Grammys speech This isn't the first time Shakira has shown her support for immigrant communities. While attending the 67th annual Grammy Awards in February, Shakira gave a heartfelt shout-out to her fellow immigrants while accepting the award for best Latin pop album. "I want to dedicate this award to all my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country," she said. "You are loved, you are worth it, and I will always fight with you." Contributing: Brendan Morrow and Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY
Los Angeles Times
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Shakira speaks out on the ‘constant fear' immigrants face while living in the U.S.
Amid ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids happening in Los Angeles and across the country, Shakira is opening up about the realities of being an immigrant in the United States. The 48-year-old singer spoke with the BBC last week about moving as a teenager from her native Colombia to Miami in the '90s. 'I was only 19 when I moved to the US, like many other Colombian immigrants who come to this country looking for a better future,' she said. 'And I remember I was surrounded by Spanish-English dictionaries and synonym dictionaries because back in the day I didn't really have Google or ChatGPT to [help].' Further commenting on her 'very precarious' situation, Shakira noted that she used the works of poet Walt Whitman and singer-songwriters Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan to refine her English skills. But beyond the language learning pains, the 'Estoy Aquí' artist spoke on the emotional toll of the immigrant experience. 'It means living in constant fear. And it's painful to see,' Shakira said. 'Now, more than ever, we have to remain united. Now, more than ever, we have to raise our voices and make it very clear that a country can change its immigration policies, but the treatment of all people must always be humane.' This isn't the first time Shakira has touched on the subject of immigration in recent months. While accepting the Latin pop album Grammy for 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran' in February, the 'Whenever, Wherever' singer dedicated her award to her 'immigrant brothers and sisters in this country' 'You are loved, you are worth it and I will always fight with you,' she said. Shakira's recent words of solidarity with the immigrant community came as other major Latin American music acts used their platforms to condemn the ICE raids and align their sympathies with immigrants. Becky G, Ivan Cornejo, Fuerza Regida, Junior H, Grupo Frontera and Maná were among the acts to publicly voice concern for the immigrant community.
USA Today
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Shakira laments 'constant fear' faced by immigrants: 'It's painful to see'
Shakira laments 'constant fear' faced by immigrants: 'It's painful to see' Show Caption Hide Caption Shakira cancels Boston concert hours before showtime Hours before doors opened, ticket seller Live Nation announced that the Shakira and Jason Aldean and Brooks & Dunn concert had been cancelled. Cover Media Shakira has conquered the world with her music, but she hasn't forgotten her raíces. The Colombian pop star, 48, reflected on her immigrant background, as well as the impact of the current political climate on immigrant communities, in an interview with the BBC published June 12. The singer, who started her music career as a teenager in her native Colombia, moved to the United States in the late 1990s to raise her musical profile. "I was only 19 when I moved to the U.S., like many other Colombian immigrants who come to this country looking for a better future," Shakira told the British outlet. "And I remember I was surrounded by Spanish-English dictionaries and synonym dictionaries — because back in the day, I didn't really have Google or ChatGPT to (help). So, it was all very precarious." The Grammy-winning songstress, known for her bilingual dance hits, also got candid on the tensions faced by many immigrants amid the Trump administration's sweeping deportation efforts, which have sparked nationwide protests. "It means living in constant fear. And it's painful to see," she said. Earlier this month, several demonstrations erupted across Los Angeles in response to a handful of immigration raids. The federal invasions, carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, took place in several parts of the city as part of a directive from President Donald Trump to find immigrants living in the United States without legal status. The White House previously set a goal of removing 1 million people annually, making good on Trump's campaign promise to conduct the largest deportation operation in history. Shakira interview: Singer talks tour, special guests and prioritizing her kids After small protests against the raids on June 6, Trump took several swift actions, including calling in the 4,000 California National Guard troops and 700 Marines, which drew ire — and at least one lawsuit — from state officials who accused the president of stoking tension and escalating unrest. "Now, more than ever, we have to remain united," Shakira continued. "Now, more than ever, we have to raise our voices and make it very clear that a country can change its immigration policies, but the treatment of all people must always be humane." Shakira vows to 'always fight' with 'my immigrant brothers and sisters' in Grammys speech This isn't the first time Shakira has shown her support for immigrant communities. While attending the 67th annual Grammy Awards in February, Shakira gave a heartfelt shout-out to her fellow immigrants while accepting the award for best Latin pop album. "I want to dedicate this award to all my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country," she said. "You are loved, you are worth it, and I will always fight with you." Contributing: Brendan Morrow and Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shakira 'living in constant fear' as she speaks out against Trump's anti-immigrant policies during record-breaking tour
After a successful Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran concert at Hard Rock Stadium , global superstar Shakira took a moment backstage to speak from the heart. Her 12-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son, who feature in a tender duet during her encore song 'Acróstico,' aren't just stage visuals; they're 'everything to me, my engine and the reason why I'm alive,' she said. Shakira has performed for over two million fans across North and South America with 64 sold-out shows. Shakira on hostility towards immigrants by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bank Owned Properties For Sale In Sanur (Prices May Surprise You) Foreclosed Homes | Search ads Search Now 'It means living in constant fear,' she says of being an immigrant in America today, after dedicating her latest Grammy to the immigrant community, as she said, 'all my immigrant brothers and sisters, you are loved, you are worth it, and I will always fight with you.' She added, 'Now, more than ever, we have to raise our voices and make it very clear that a country can change its immigration policies, but the treatment of all people must always be humane.' Live Events Also read: Judge temporarily bars Trump from deploying National Guard troops in Los Angeles Shakira's journey as an immigrant For Shakira, performing in Miami holds deep personal meaning as it's the city she moved to at 19, leaving behind stardom in Colombia to chase her dream of breaking into the English-speaking music world. With no formal training in English, she immersed herself in Spanish-English dictionaries and the poetry of Leonard Cohen, Walt Whitman, and Bob Dylan to master songwriting. She contrasted her acceptance in the US with the fear many immigrants now face under hostile political climates. Turmoil in the country Shakira's comments reverberate across a country in turmoil. Just miles north, Los Angeles has become the epicenter of nationwide outrage. ICE raids have ignited mass protests, with thousands demanding an end to what they call 'mass deportation' and federal troop deployments to dozens of immigrant neighborhoods. Among the uproar, over 4,100 National Guard troops and 700 Marines were mobilized, curfews imposed, and hundreds detained. One senator was even forcefully removed from a press conference sparking fury that reverberated nationwide. Trump's anti immigration stance It all stems from President Trump's return to aggressive immigration enforcement: a directive to ICE for up to 3,000 arrests daily, including in hospitals and homeless shelters Trump even reinstated a 12-country travel ban in early June and expanded deportations, including long-term, undocumented workers, despite warnings of critical labor shortages. While deportations dropped sharply (from 200,000 to 12,000 monthly encounters), Trump's team has shifted focus to deep-rooted communities, triggering civil unrest.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Cultural ambassadors': Teachers from abroad buttress Utah's dual-language programs
Professional growth may have been a key factor in Lucia de la Cruz Rodriguez's decision to come to Utah from Mexico to teach. But the opportunity to promote the Spanish language and Mexican culture, particularly among the Mexican and Mexican-American kids in the United States, also figured big. She's in her fifth year as a third grade instructor in Midvale Elementary's Spanish-English dual-language immersion program. "I wanted to create a space where students could feel proud of their heritage, where their stories, music, art and traditions aren't marginalized but included and important," she said. "A place where culture isn't seen as folkloric but as a fundamental resource for learning and human connection." De la Cruz Rodriguez, originally from the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi, isn't alone. She's one of around 25 from Mexico who have taught in varied Utah schools since 2016 as part of the Mexican government's Visiting Teachers Program, according to Gloria Gonzalez Acevedo, of the Mexican Consulate in Salt Lake City. Moreover, de la Cruz Rodriguez is part of an even larger contingent from Peru, Spain, Brazil, France, Germany and Taiwan who teach or have taught in the state's schools as part of the Utah Board of Education's efforts to place international teachers in the varied dual-language programs in Utah. "We find that a blend of teachers from many parts of the world provides a rich cultural awareness for our students as well as experiences with the differing nuances of language dependent on countries, especially Spanish," said Robert Austin. Austin helps handle the logistics of securing visas for international teachers for the Utah Board of Education, working with representatives from varied countries. Austin estimates that the state board sponsors around 75 international teachers each year to serve at the many dual-language immersion schools around Utah. They can typically remain for up to five years and are hired by the districts that employ them. They aren't the majority, though. Karl Bowman, world language and dual-language immersion specialist for the Utah Board of Education, estimates that international teachers represent "a smaller percentage" of instructors in Utah's dual-language schools. There are many qualified American teachers or immigrants here with the background and skills to teach in dual-language programs, which typically offer a half day of instruction in English and a half day in the foreign language. Moreover, Bowman said, teachers coming from abroad face rigorous vetting to ensure they have the skills needed to teach in a U.S. school. At any rate, Canyons School District, home to Midvale Elementary, has many, with foreign teachers coming from Mexico, Peru, Spain, China, Taiwan and France to teach the varied languages of the countries. The district is home to 10 elementary schools with dual-language programs, said Jeffrey Haney, the district spokesman. De la Cruz Rodriguez, the third grade teacher at Midvale, sees her role as weaving academic and cultural instruction together. Aside from teaching math, science and Spanish, all in Spanish, she also blends in lessons about her country's culture, including Mexican Independence Day, Day of the Dead and more. During one of her classes earlier this week, she sang Mexican songs with her students wearing a sombrero. Teaching a dual-language class, she said, is an opportunity to build cultural bridges. About 62% of Midvale Elementary students are Latinos, according to state board figures. "As Mexican teachers in a school with a Hispanic community, our work is more than just teaching academic content. We're truly cultural ambassadors who transport the essence of our heritage to each classroom," she said. Parents of students in de la Cruz Rodriguez's class say having a native Mexican teacher like her is a big plus. Guadalupe Lagunas, for one, likes that the teacher — who garnered teacher of the year honors for 2025 at Midvale Elementary — can convey information about Mexican music, food, history and celebrations. Lagunas is originally from Mexico and wants her son Josue to be able to speak Spanish and be knowledgeable about Mexican culture to foster better ties with family still in Mexico. "We want our kids to learn all of that and treasure it," she said. Jeff Jackson, who has two kids in the Midvale dual-language program, said the offering opens students' minds to the broader world. It's important for students 'to participate and learn another language and learn another culture. Honestly, it opens up their mind,' he said. 'It's a powerful thing. I'm a huge supporter of it.'
