CHICAGO TONIGHT:LATINO VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALLSTATE AND CIBC.

GOOD EVENING.

CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES.

I AM MICHAEL PUENTE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT, JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA TO TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT, POLICING IN HIS NEIGHBORHOOD OF LITTLE VILLAGE.

ALSO, TOXIC LEAD TO SERVICE LINES WILL BE REMOVED IN THE STATE AND THEY WANT CONGRESS TO PAY FOR IT.

>>> WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN HOMELAND TASK FORCE REUNITE PARENTS WITH THEIR CHILDREN UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?

>> THE EFFORT CREATED BEAUTIFUL CITIZENS OF THIS WORLD.

>> AS WE PREPARE TO CELEBRATE MOTHERS THIS WEEKEND, WE TALK ABOUT THE GIFTS OF MOTHERHOOD.

>>> FIRST OFF TONIGHT IS A ONCE IN A DECADE TIME AGAIN FOLLOWING U.S. CENSUS NUMBERS THAT ILLINOIS WILL REDRAW IT'S CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT LINES WITH THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR AND SUPER MAJORITY IN THE STATE AND THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO REDRAW THE STATE BOUNDARIES.

BUT, DOES ILLINOIS WANT MORE IN CONGRESS THAN THEY CURRENTLY HAVE?

HERE TO DISCUSS CENSUS AND REDISTRICTING, AND MORE IS CONGRESSMAN JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA, A DEMOCRAT FROM THE LITTLE VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD KID.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME.

CONGRESSMAN.

>> .GREAT TO SEE YOU MICHAEL.

>> CONGRESSMAN, HOW SHOULD THE STATE OF ILLINOIS GO ABOUT IT'S REDISTRICTING PROCESS.

NOW THAT ILLINOIS DEMOCRATS HAVE THE KEY TO THE CAR?

WHAT KIND OF REMAPPING.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE?

>> I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ONE OF THE MOST OPEN AND INCLUSIVE REDISTRICTING PROCESSES EVER IN ILLINOIS.

I AM HEARTENED BY THE LEADERSHIP THAT WE HAVE IN THE ILLINOIS WITH A PRESIDENT, A SENATE AND A NEW SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE WHO HAVE COMMITTED TO HAVING REAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

HEARING AND TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE.

WHAT CONSTITUTES COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST AND RECOGNIZING THE DIVERSITY OF THE POPULATIONS IN ILLINOIS, ESPECIALLY ACROSS NORTHERN ILLINOIS.

>> CONGRESSMAN, LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

DO YOU THINK THERE SHOULD BE TWO MAJORITY LATINO DISTRICTS IN ILLINOIS?

>> THAT'S A LITTLE HARDER TO SAY YET.

YES, THERE HAS BEEN GROWTH.

I KNOW THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITIES OF CREATING A SOUTHWEST AND NORTHWEST SIDE.

A DISTRICT ONE, MUCH MORE SUBURBAN THAN THE NORTHWEST SIDE THAT I THINK THAT WE NEED TO SEE SOME FIRMER NUMBERS BEFORE MAKING A DECISION ON WHETHER THAT IS DOABLE OR NOT.

IN THIS CENSUS CYCLE.

I REMAIN OPEN TO THE POSSIBILITY, BUT CERTAINLY HAD IT'S NOT BEEN FOR THE GROWTH OF THE LATINO COMMUNITY.

ILLINOIS MIGHT HAVE LOST ANOTHER DISTRICT.

>> CONGRESSMAN ACCORDING TO RECENT U.S. CENSUS ILLINOIS WILL LOSE ONE SEAT IN THE HOUSE AND THAT FOLLOWS A CONTINUING TREND OF MIGRATION FROM ILLINOIS.

WHAT EFFECT WILL THIS TREND HAVE AND DO YOU THINK IT CAN BE REVERSED?

>> IN THE FIRST PLACE.

I THINK WE HAD A LOSS OF POPULATION IN ILLINOIS DUE TO THE LACK OF NEW MIGRATION INTO THE COUNTRY.

AS YOU KNOW MIGRATION FROM MEXICO, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS HISTORICALLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE GROWTH OF THE POPULATION IN ILLINOIS AND IT IS ALMOST AT AN ALL-TIME LOW AND I THINK OUR LACK OF INVESTMENT IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY HIGHER EDUCATION AND UNDER RESOURCING OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS ALSO CAUSE OTHER PEOPLE TO LEAVE THE STATE LOOKING FOR GREATER OPPORTUNITIES.

THAT IS A LESSON FOR POLICYMAKERS IN THE COMING NEXT 10 YEARS.

WE NEED TO INVEST AND WE NEED BETTER OUTCOMES AND WE NEED TO COME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC REALLY BUILDING THE POTENTIAL OF ILLINOIS.

>> CONGRESSMAN, LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

DO YOU THINK THE CENSUS UNDERCOUNTED THE COUNTRY'S LATINO POPULATION?

>> NO CENSUS HAS BEEN PERFECT.

WE KNOW THAT THE LATINO POPULATION HAS BEEN UNDERCOUNTED IN PRIOR CENSUSES.

I THINK THE EFFORT THAT THE DONALD TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAD INCLUDING A CITIZENSHIP QUESTION ON THE QUESTIONNAIRE WAS HARMFUL AND PROBABLY CAUSED PEOPLE NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CENSUS.

HE ALSO SOUGHT TO EXCLUDE THE UNDOCUMENTED.

THESE ARE UNPRECEDENTED POSTURES BY A PRESIDENT AND BY FEDERAL ADMINISTRATIONS.

WITHOUT A DOUBT THAT HAD A CHILLING EFFECT ON THE COUNT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IN ILLINOIS WE PROBABLY DIDN'T HAVE AS MUCH OF AN IMPACT IN PART BECAUSE OF THE COMMUNITY'S INVOLVEMENT IN GETTING THE WORD OUT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CENSUS.

THEN, ENSURING THAT THERE WAS ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS MADE TO INSTILL CONFIDENCE IN PEOPLE THAT THE INFORMATION THAT THEY PROVIDED WOULD BE HELD PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.

IF THAT HAD NOT OCCURRED.

WE WOULD HAVE NOT SEEN A LARGER UNDERCOUNT OR NONPARTICIPATION OF PEOPLE AS WE SAW HAPPEN IN STATES LIKE ARIZONA WHERE THE STATE DIDN'T INVEST WHERE OTHER EFFORTS DID NOT TAKE PLACE.

SO ALL TOLD, I THINK WE CAN BE FAIRLY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE DID IN ILLINOIS TO PREVENT A FURTHER UNDERCOUNT.

>> MOVING ON A LITTLE BIT CONGRESSMAN.

THE CITY HAS BEEN EMBROILED FOLLOWING THE RECENT POLICE SHOOTINGS LIKE ADAM TOLEDO IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE VIDEOS RELEASED SHOWING TOLEDO'S DEATH AS WELL AS ANTHONY ALVAREZ, WHO WAS ALSO KILLED BY POLICE IN MARCH?

WHAT ACTIONS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE TAKEN IN POLICE RELATIONS AND SPECIFIC CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICIES?

>> THE TWO VIDEOS WERE SHOCKING TO ME.

THEY OCCURRED IN MY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

ONE.

IN THE VERY NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE I HAVE LIVED FOR 53 YEARS AND THE OTHER IN THE NORTHWEST SIDE.

I THINK THIS IS A WAKE-UP CALL.

THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION FOR CHANGE AND REFORM TO HAPPEN IN THE CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR ENACT CHANGES TO IT'S FOOT PURSUE POLICIES AND ALSO ON THE FEDERAL FRONT OR PASSAGE ON THE GEORGE FLOYD JUSTICE AND POLICING ACT AS WELL AS A REVERSAL FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS POSITIONED WITH RESPECT TO CONSENT DECREES.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DISSENT DEGREE IN CHICAGO IS CRITICAL TO INSTILL TRUST TO RE-INSTILL THE IDEA OF ACCOUNTABILITY IN POLICING IN OUR SYSTEM HERE IN CHICAGO.

I THINK WITHOUT A DOUBT, IT WILL USHER IN MANY CHANGES AS IT RELATES TO COMMUNITY SAFETY AND POLICING.

>> OUR THANKS TO CONGRESSMAN JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED 700,000 LED SERVICE LINES CARRYING WATER TO HOMES IN ILLINOIS, HALF OF WHICH ARE IN CHICAGO.

LEAD IN DRINKING WATER CAN CAUSE BRAIN DAMAGE IN CHILDREN AMONG A SLEW OF OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS.

LAST YEAR THE CITY ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO SLOWLY REPLACE THE LINES BUT IT HAS YET TO GET UNDERWAY.

STATE LAWMAKERS WANT TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM AND AS CHICAGO.

TONIGHT'S NICK BLOOMBERG REPORTS.

THEY WANT CONGRESS TO FOOT THE BILL.

>> FOR THE LAST 14 YEARS, MARIA DEL CARMEN MACIAS HAS OFFERED DAYCARE OUT OF HER BELMONT KRAGEN HOME.

A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK.

THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICE NOTIFIED MACIAS SHE WOULD HAVE TO TEST THE WATER IN HER HOME FOR LEAD.

>> I HAD TO TAKE THIS IF I MAKE ICE.

I HAVE TO SEND IT THROUGH THIS ONE WITH ICE AND TO USE IT TWICE.

>> SHE SAID THE BUILDINGS LED CAME BACK NORMAL.

BUT SHE WAS FRUSTRATED ON HOW THE STATE DID NOT SEND HER REQUIREMENTS TO TEST HER WATER AND WHAT TO DO IF THE LEVELS WERE TOO HIGH.

>> THERE IS NO CLARITY.

PROVIDERS ARE SCRAMBLING FOR INFORMATION.

>> MACIAS SAID THERE WAS A NONPROFIT THAT HELPED HER WITH SUPPORT AND TO HELP OTHER EDUCATORS.

SHE SAID THAT THIS ISN'T ENOUGH TO TACKLE SUCH A HUGE PROBLEM.

>> IT SHOULD NOT BE ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE PROVIDERS.

IT SHOULD BE ON THE STATE.

EVEN IF I DON'T HAVE A DAYCARE, WHAT IF I HAVE A LOT OF LEAD IN MY PIPES?

IT IS AFFECTING ME, MY FAMILY AND MY CHILDREN.

>> STATE LAWMAKERS AGREE.

LAST MONTH THE ILLINOIS HOUSE OKAYED A BILL TO FIND AND REPLACE LEAD SERVICE LINES CARRYING WATER TO CUSTOMERS HOMES.

DEPENDING ON HOW MANY PIPES THE UTILITY HAS TO REPLACE, THEY HAVE 15 AND 34 YEARS TO GET IT DONE.

>> EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DRINK CLEAN WATER.

WITHOUT ANY ISSUE.

>> THE BILL ORIGINALLY SET ASIDE $200 MILLION FROM A NEW FEE TO HELP PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT, BUT THAT WAS REMOVED BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH VOTES.

INSTEAD, THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE BIDEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN FOR THE MONEY WHICH LED SOME REPUBLIC INNS TO BE SKEPTICAL.

>> I WOULD LIKE THIS BILL TO BE ALLOWED TO GO FORWARD WITH AN IDEA OF HOW IT WILL BE PAID FOR BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE PAID FOR.

>> BIDEN'S INFRASTRUCTURE AN PROVIDES FOR SERVICE AREAS NATIONWIDE.

THEY SAID THE STATE NEEDS TO BE READY TO ACT AS SOON MONEY IS AVAILABLE.

>> THEY HAVE MORE LED SERVICE LINES AND ANY OTHER STATE OR CITY IN THE COUNTRY.

IT IS A SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEM FOR BOTH THE CITY AND THE STATE.

>> THEY SAID FUNDING FROM THE CONGRESS COULD PUT A DENT IN THE PROBLEM AND THEY WANT EVERY STATE GOVERNMENT TO COME UP WITH A PLAN.

>> EVERYBODY HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN FINDING DEDICATED RULES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEN THE MUNICIPALITIES MUST IDENTIFY SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE REVENUE SOURCES THROUGH THE SERVICE LINES IN THERE COMMUNITY.

>> WILLIAMS HOPES THE LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT BILL WILL PASS THE SENATE.

MACIAS IS HOPEFUL TOO.

SHE SAID IT'S A CRITICAL ISSUE.

ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR AND THOSE WHO DON'T MAKE MUCH MONEY.

>> TO HAVE LIEN WATER IS NOT A LUXURY.

IT IS A HUMAN RIGHT.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM NICK BLOOMBERG.

LEXA BILL MAKING HIS WAY TO THE GENERAL SIMPLY WOULD CREATE AN ADVISORY PANEL TO ADVISE ON SUNDAY IF FEDERAL MONEY DOESN'T COME THROUGH.

IT ALSO REQUIRES THE FACILITIES TO COME UP WITH A PLAN BY 2027 TO REPLACE A SERVICE LINES.

IN ADDITION TO THE MONEY IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PLAN, A BILL SETTING ASIDE $35 BILLION OF FUNDING A CLEAN REINKING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PASS THE SENATE LAST MONTH.

A LOOK AT EFFORTS TO REUNITE MIGRANT PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN.

STAY WITH US.

>> THIS WEEK FOR FAMILY SEPARATED UNDER FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION POLICY WAS THE 1ST TO BE REVIEWED, GUIDED BY ORGANIZATIONS WORKING WITH THE BIDEN MINISTRATIONS FAMILY REUNIFICATION TASK FORCE.

IT'S JUST THE BEGINNING OF AN EFFORT TO REUNITE THOUSANDS OF FAMILY SEPARATED FROM THEIR CHILDREN SINCE 2017 AND THE SERVICE ORGANIZATION WHO INHERITED INCOMPLETE INFORMATION FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FROM THESE MIGRANT SAY IT IS A DAUNTING TASK.

DAVIDSON SKIED THE DIRECTOR OF HEART LED HUMAN CARE SERVICES OPERATES FIVE SHELTERS FOR MIGRANT CHILDREN ACROSS THE CHICAGO AREA.

THE DEPUTY PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR THE YOUNG CENTER FOR IMMIGRANT CHILDREN'S RIGHT IN THERE PHOENIX OFFICE AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NONPROFIT NETWORK OF IMMIGRANTS SERVING ORGANIZATION.

WELCOME.

VANESSA, HOW WOULD YOU GO ABOUT FINDING FAMILIES AND SPONSORS FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN.

WE DID THIS WORK FOR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?

>>.

THIS IS SUCH A DAUNTING TASK IN 2017 AND 2018 WITH THE ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY.

I WAS INUNDATED WITH REFERRALS FOR CHILDREN THAT WERE COMING THROUGH FACILITIES, AND HAD NO INFORMATION WITH THEM OR THE ADULTS TO TRANSFER THEM TO THE GOVERNMENT SHELTERS I WAS TASKED WITH FINDING WHERE THE PARENTS WERE, WHAT WAS THEIR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AND HOW TO TALK THEM AND FIGURE THEM OUT WHAT THEY WANTED FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO RETURN BACK HOME IN THE U.S. AND WHAT THE OPTIONS LOOK LIKE.

>> DAVID, CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW THESE CHILDREN ARE PASSED INTO YOUR CARE AND WHAT HAPPENS FROM THERE?

>> SURE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

HEARTLAND ALLIANCE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF WORKING WITH CHILDREN PROVIDING AN ARRAY OF SERVICES LIKE LEGAL SUPPORT, TRAUMA RECOVERY AND HELPING IMMIGRANTS FIND SAFETY INSTABILITY HERE INCLUDING UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN ACROSS THE BORDER AND WE HAVE OVER 20 YEARS OF HISTORY DOING THIS SHELTER WORK SPECIFICALLY THROUGH A CHILD WELFARE SETTING SO THAT KIDS WHO ARE PRESENTING AT THE BORDER ARE LIMITED TO 72 HOURS AND UNDER MANDATED IMMIGRATION CONTROL FOR 72 HOURS AND THEN HAVE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO A SHELTER THAT IS RAN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SO THAT THE BEST INTEREST FOR THE CHILDREN AND THEIR WELFARE IS THE UTMOST PRIORITY.

ONCE CHILDREN ARRIVE TO US.

OUR GOAL IS TO FIRST ENSURETHAT THEY ARE FEELING SAFE AND STABLE IN THE ENVIRONMENT .

THAT THEIR NEEDS ARE MET, FOOD, CLOTHING, SHOWER, ACCLAMATION TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND THEN THE WHOLE TEAM OF SOCIAL WORKERS, DOCTORS, CASE MANAGERS THAT WORK ON CONNECTING AND REUNITING THEM WITH THEIR FAMILIES THAT WERE SPONSORED HERE IN THE U.S..

THE GOAL IS FOR THEM TO STAY WITH US FOR A SHORT TERM AND WHILE THEY ARE WITH US.

THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH.

WE JUST WANT THEM TO BE KIDS AGAIN AND DO ALL THE WORK BEHIND THE SCENES TO CONNECT THEM WITH FAMILIES.

>>, OSCAR, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM THE PEOPLE OF THEIR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AND THE BEGINNING OF THE FAMILY UNIFICATION?

>> PEOPLE ARE HOPEFUL.

THEY HOPE IT'S A NEW DAY.

PEOPLE ARE HOPING THAT IT DOESN'T GO TOO SLOW.

WE MENTIONED IN THE BEGINNING MORE THAN 1000 CASES ARE IN PLACE FOR THE INITIAL STEPS AND THEY ARE HOPING THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THEIR KIDS REUNITED WITH THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THAT FORM OF JUSTICE.

IT'S NOT A SITUATION WHERE ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL.

WE HAVE TO BE OPEN MINDED TO SOLUTIONS THAT ARE GOING TO BE VERY DEPENDENT ON THE CURRENT SITUATION.

>> VANESSA, FROM THE PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH WHAT WAS THEIR MENTAL HEALTH LIKE?

>> THAT IS SUCH A DIFFICULT QUESTION.

WHAT WOULD YOU EXPECT?

IT WAS TERRIFYING.

I TYPICALLY WORK WITH UNACCOMPANIED MINORS THAT WERE TEENAGERS WHO WERE ALREADY TRAUMATIZED FROM THE JOURNEY FROM THEIR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, AND THEN WERE JUST COMPOUNDING THE TRAUMA.

WHEN WE ADD THE SEPARATION.

WE HAVE CHILDREN WHO WERE VERBAL WHEN THEY WERE WITH THEIR PARENTS AND THEN AFTER THE SEPARATION THEY WERE NO LONGER SPEAKING TO CHILDREN HAVING PANIC ATTACKS.

CRYING AT THE SOUND OR IF THEY HAD A VIDEO CALL WITH THEIR PARENTS, THE SITE OF THEIR PARENTS.

PHOTO PEER.

THE TRAUMA CONTINUES AND IT WILL BE WITH THEM FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES FOR THEM AND THEIR PARENTS.

I WAS ON PHONE CALLS WITH THEIR PARENTS, WHO REGRETTED THE DECISION BECAUSE THEY WERE NOW SAYING THAT THEY LOST THEIR CHILDREN.

AND SOME HAVE AT THIS POINT.

>> DAVID CONTINUING WITH THAT.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THE TRAUMA AND THE KIDS IN YOUR CARE?

>> WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE CHILDREN ARE LEAVING TRAUMATIC TIONS.

IF YOU CAN IMAGINE FAMILIES SENDING THEIR KIDS HERE FLEEING VIOLENCE AND EXTREME POVERTY.

THINGS WE CANNOT IMAGINE THE LEVEL OF VIOLENCE THAT TAKES PLACE.

THERE JOURNEY IS ALSO TRAUMATIC.

WE MAKE SURE OUR STAFF, OUR TEAM OF SOCIAL WORKERS ARE TRAUMA INFORMED AND TRAUMA TRAINED.

BECAUSE THE KIDS ARE WITH US FOR A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, SOMETIMES LESS THAN TWO WEEKS.

WE HOPE TO NOT OPEN AN EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE THAT WE CAN HELP CLOSE BEFORE.

THERE IS A LONG-TERM REPLACEMENT.

FOR THAT WE CREATED AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN JUST BE KIDS.

THEY CAN RELAX, FEEL SAFE AND IN THERE PLACEMENT WITH FAMILIES.

WE MAKE SURE THAT WE LINK THEM WITH RESOURCES THAT CAN SERVE A MORE LONG-TERM MENTAL HEALTH NEED.

>> SURE.

OSCAR, DOES THE U.S. BEAR SPOTS ABILITY FOR REPARATIONS IN THESE FAMILY SEPARATIONS?

IF SO, WHAT SHOULD THEY BE PROVIDING?

>> IN MY OPINION, YES.

WHEN THE GOVERNMENT TAKES ACTION.

IT RESULTS IN HARMING PEOPLE.

AND IN MANY INSTANCES, IT WILL BE HARD TO RECOVER BUT I BELIEVE WE SHOULD TAKE ACTION AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT WE DID WITH THE TAXPAYER MONEY.

I THINK ONE WAY THIS CAN BE DONE IS BY ALLOWING THESE KIDS TO RECONNECT WITH THEIR CHILDREN BY PRO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN VISAS TO COME TO THE U.S.. THEN, WE CAN RECOGNIZE THAT ACTUALLY REUNITED FAMILIES MIGHT NOT BE WHAT IS BEST GIVEN THE FACT THAT MANY PARENTS AND CHILDREN HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FOR A LONG TIME.

THE QUESTION IS, HOW DO WE HELP WITH SOME LEVEL OF PARENTING IN THE SITUATION?

LIKE I SAID BEFORE, NOT ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL.

WE HAVE TO BE OPEN FOR THE JUSTICE FOR THESE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.

>> VANESSA, WHAT ACTIONS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO HELP THESE CHILDREN AND THE FAMILIES?

>> I THINK OSCAR HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.

IT IS CASE-BY-CASE.

WHAT EACH CHILD AND FAMILY WILL NEED.

IN THE GRAND SCHEME.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SOLUTIONS.

THE LEGAL STATUS IS A WAY FOR THE IMMIGRATION PROCESS FOR SOMETHING THAT WE ALREADY HAVE IN OUR POCKETS TO USE.

EVERY TIME SOMEONE HAS TO SHOW UP FOR IMMIGRATION COURT.

IT CAUSES SEVERE TRAUMA.

IF WE CAN GET RID OF THE TRADITIONAL IMMIGRATION ROADBLOCKS OR PROCESSES.

THAT IS HUGE IN HELPING FAMILIES MOVE FORWARD.

AND THEN ALSO LOOKING AT THE MENTAL HEALTH.

HE'S, LEGAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH HAS TO GO HAND-IN-HAND BECAUSE THEY CROSS EACH OTHER'S PATHS.

AND THEN FINDING MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR THE FAMILIES, AS A FAMILY UNIT OR THE INDIVIDUAL.

THE PARENT AND THE CHILDREN AND IN THE LONG TERM, MAKING SURE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

WE CAN'T, AS A SOCIETY CAN NEVER SEE THIS HAPPEN IN OUR GOVERNMENT AGAIN.

FINDING WAYS WITH THE ADMINISTRATION CHANGES AND THE FAMILY SEPARATION NEVER HAPPENS.

>> OUR THANKS TO DAVID SINSKI, VANESSA PINEDA/YOUNG AND OSCAR CHACON.

>> Guest:, THANK YOU.

>> BACK WITH MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT LATINO VOICES RIGHT AFTER THIS.

.

[MUSIC] >> THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS TAKEN A TOLL ON EVERYONE BUT ONE GROUP IN PARTICULAR HAS AN ESPECIALLY HEAVY LIFT, MOTHER'S.

STUDIES SAY THEY HAVE TAKEN ON THE MAJORITY OF CAREGIVING RESPONSIBILITY OVER THE LAST YEAR.

THAT MEANS THOSE OF US LUCKY ENOUGH TO CELEBRATE MOTHERS TOMORROW HAVE ONE MORE REASON TO THANK THEM FOR ALL THEY DO.

TONIGHT LOCAL MOM AND AUTHOR LETTY BELMARES GIVES US WHAT SHE SEES AS A VALUE OF MOTHERS ON SOCIETY.

>> WHEN I FIRST DISCOVERED THE IMPORTANCE AND INTEREST THAT A MOTHER'S PRESENCE HAS ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT WAS DURING THE TIME THAT I WAS WORKING AS A TEACHER FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

IT WAS THEN WHEN I DECIDED THAT WHEN I BECOME A MOM I WOULD RAISE MY CHILDREN AS MUCH AS I CAN.

I COULDN'T IMAGINE AT THE TIME THAT I WOULD GET TO HOMESCHOOL MY CHILDREN, WORK ALONGSIDE MY HUSBAND, AND NOW CREATE CHILDREN'S BOOKS TOGETHER IS FOR FAMILIES.

THE REWARDS HAVE TRULY BEEN HUMBLING.

IT HAS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE THROUGH MOTHERHOOD THAT I HAVE LEARNED TO BECOME THE WOMAN THAT I HOPED AND QUITE FRANKLY COULDN'T EVEN DREAM THAT I COULD BECOME.

MY CHILDREN HAVE GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY I WANTED AND NEEDED TO GROW IN EVERY FORM POSSIBLE THAT A PERSON CAN GROW.

THEY HAVE BEEN MY BLESSINGS.

THE VOCATION OF A MOTHER AND THE LEVEL OF PROVIDING COMES FROM GIVING.

A MOTHER GIVES SO MUCH.

THEY GIVE THEIR TIME, THEIR EFFORT, THEIR PATIENT, LOVE, LIGHT AND SOUL.

WILLINGLY AND UNSELFISHLY.

MANY TIMES, SACRIFICING HER CAREER, FINANCIAL STATUS, AND THEN EVEN SOCIAL STATUS.

BUT THEY UNDERSTAND VERY WELL WHAT THEY ARE CHANGING.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS SOMETHING GREATER.

IT IS SOMETHING MORE VALUABLE.

THEN ANYTHING THAT CAN BE FOUND IN THE STORE.

AND FOR A STAY AT HOME MOM, YOU ARE HOME MANAGERS.

CONTINUE TO GUIDE YOUR CHILDREN WITH LOVE AND FIRMNESS BECAUSE YOUR EFFORTS HELP TO CREATE BEAUTIFUL CITIZENS OF THIS WORLD AND THAT IN TURN, YOU ARE DIRECTLY HELPING TO MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

HOW ABOUT THAT?

>> YOU CAN CATCH MORE ON THAT SERIES ON OUR WEBSITE AND HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TOMORROW.

THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS SATURDAY NIGHT.

JOIN CANDACE FREEMAN TOMORROW NIGHT FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT.

BLACK VOICES AND YOU CAN CATCH MY REPORTING ON 91.5 FM WBEZ.

NEXT WEEK ON LATINO VOICES, WTTW, PHIL PENSIE WILL BE HOST IN THIS CHAIR.

FOR ALL OF US TONIGHT AT CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES, I AM MICHAEL PUENTE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING SOME OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.