Today, decimated by agency neglect and facing closure, the sector may soon become a casualty of a controversial policy. Border Patrol union officials contend the state needs to maintain an interior enforcement staff, and that its agents will be sorely missed should the Livermore closure go through. The presidential candidates have gone bilingual, tripping over themselves to reach out to Latino voters. About three in 10 Latinos live below the poverty level. And two in five Latino children are growing up poor.
Many Latino children face obstacles to receiving a decent education.
They are severely underrepresented in early education programs. 2000 organizers hope to register 1 million new voters, with Nevada one key western state targeted for opportunities presented by a large Latino population. For the effort to succeed, Sepulveda said her group must first convince prospective voters that becoming involved won't mean trouble with immigration officials . Asian and Latino advocates are on a political crusade to convert immigrants before time runs out. They want to persuade immigrants to register to vote before an Oct. 10 deadline to participate in the fall election.