Las Notis is a daily news column that gets you up to speed on the political, media + other going ons in Latin America and the diaspora—all in one quick digest.
- Here’s your glimpse at what’s going on today:
- The Labor Department reported that 916,000 jobs were added by employers in March, the largest gain since August. This number surpasses the 647,000 March prediction and is up from the 468,000 job increase reported in February. The unemployment rate improved to 6% from February’s 6.2%. [CNN]
- In an attempt to ease pressure at the border, U.S. authorities are releasing families without notices to appear in court or any paperwork at all in some cases. The move has caused confusion and concern since migrants need these documents for court appearances and 60-day check-ins with ICE. The agency has not commented on how many migrants have been released without completed paperwork. [AP]
- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called out President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan, saying it’s “encouraging” but not enough.” Biden’s plan was released Wednesday following the $1.9 trillion March stimulus. AOC said an ideal plan would spend $10 trillion to provide larger potential to create jobs and improve housing, as well as health care. The White House is expected to also announce the American Families Plan, which aims to include free community college, plans for universal Pre-K, and more. [Yahoo]
- Prosecutors revealed that Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández’s government hired Arnold & Porter, an elite D.C. law firm in 2019 to derail a drug-probe on his brother, Juan Antonio “Tony” Hernandez, who is also a former Honduran congressman. U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel of Manhattan sentenced Hernández to life in prison on Tuesday, plus an additional 30 years and $158 million fine, for smuggling 185-tons of cocaine into the country. [WaPo]
- Selena Gomez expressed solidarity with Michelle Obama and other celebrities, urging the Senate to pass the For The People Act, a bill to expand voting rights. Gomez stated that if passed, the act would “strengthen our democracy and put power back where it belongs–with the people.” [Twitter]
- What seems to be the final role of the late actress Naya Rivera has been revealed: She voiced Catwoman in the upcoming animated film, Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One. Rivera completed the voice work before her passing last July at 33. The film is expected to be released later this year. [Yahoo]