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American-born Pope to lead the Catholic Church

Ernest Gurulé
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American-born Pope to lead the Catholic Church

When the first puffs of white smoke belched from the newly constructed Sistine Chapel chimney, thousands spread across the expanse of Saint Peter’s Square cheered with delight. A new Pope had been chosen. But their enthusiasm soon coupled with shock—a joyful shock—when it was announced that the new leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics is American-born.

Photo courtesy: VaticanNews Facebook

One person not shocked was Regis University’s Father Kevin Burke. “Several of my colleagues were shocked,” he said in a recent telephone interview. “I was more shocked when they elected a Jesuit.” The Jesuit, of course, was Pope Francis, immediate predecessor to the newest Pope.

“I just had a sense that Cardinal Prevost was a possible candidate,” said Burke. His confidence, though measured, was based on the new Pope’s résumé along with a personal story now widely known. 

Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was born Sept. 14, 1955, to Louis Marius Prevost and Mildred Martinez. He is of Spanish, French and Italian descent. He is the youngest of three brothers. All three boys were educated in Catholic schools, but Prevost’s path, said older brother John, was inextricably connected to the church, first as an altar boy. 

Rob, as he was called, “knew he was going to be a priest from the time he could walk.” A neighbor, said his brother, once joked that ‘Rob was going to be Pope someday.’

Graduating in 1977 from Villanova, a Philadelphia Jesuit college, Prevost entered the novitiate—training—for the Order of Saint Augustine. He was ordained as a priest in 1982. 

His path took him to Peru in 1985 where he ministered some of the country’s poorest congregations. He also served in various other positions throughout the country before returning to Chicago. The arc of his career was a steady trajectory to Bishop in 2015. In 2023 he was named to the College of Cardinals. Both titles were conferred by Pope Francis.

The new Pope has experience in Rome, working at the Vatican as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. In that role, he oversaw the appointment of bishops. Also, during this time, he often visited with Pope Francis.

While it remains unknown, said Burke, the new Pope is expected to follow many of the ways of Francis. “He is close to people and has seen their needs…their suffering,” Burke said. But cautioned the Regis University cleric, “He won’t be Francis.”

But like Pope Francis, Burke expects the new Pope to adopt a similar direction on women in the church, elevating them to positions with higher responsibilities but stopping at ordaining them as priests. 

News of a new Pope reached Alamosa at the same time the first puffs of white smoke began drifting skyward on the other side of the world. “It startled me,” said Father Carlos Alvarez, who ministers Alamosa’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church. “I never thought we would have a Pope from the United States.” The Pueblo native and Notre Dame graduate was pleased. “He has a servant’s heart…full of kindness and compassion,” said Alvarez. 

Interestingly, Alvarez may be one of the few, perhaps even the only person in Colorado to have met the new Pope. “I met him; I was in his office.”

Alvarez believes the church’s new leader will be embraced much the way Francis was. “He’ll bring different gifts,” he suspects. But like Pope Francis, he will also reflect both kindness and gentleness.

The Alamosa spiritual leader also suspects that the new Pope will reflect a 21st century attitude on women in the church. “I think he’ll continue (elevating women).” 

Francis challenged church orthodoxy with appointments of women to positions of rank that broke tradition. He appointed Sister Alessandra Smerilli, a trained economist, to a senior position in the Vatican’s governing body, the Roman Curia. The Curia oversees the world’s Catholic religious orders. Another woman, Sister Raffaella Petrini, was appointed by Francis to President of the Pontifical Commission and Governorate of Vatican City State.

The new Pope holds dual citizenship in both America and Peru. And while he speaks English, Italian and Spanish, he also is known to speak his mind on social and political issues. He is the first Pope to have his own X (formerly Twitter) account. He was also once a registered voter and voted regularly in Illinois and national elections.

In an X account belonging to “Robert Prevost”, he has tweeted, or posted on X, criticism of President Trump for his 2017 Muslim ban and the policy of separating children from their undocumented parents. (Neither could be independently verified for authenticity.) The same account also was critical of Vice President Vance’s “interpretation” of biblical text on who a person chooses to love. “JD Vance is wrong,” the tweet said.

While it remains a mystery if the former Cardinal will continue to post on X, Alvarez guesses that the new Pope will sometime address “tech dependency.” 

The Alamosa pastor says technology, including X, has become an obsession and addiction to too many, causing a loss of both faith and dignity. “He (Pope Leo) is probably shocked where his home country is going (with technology).” 

When it was learned that the new Pope was an American, a Chicagoan and a sports fan (he also plays tennis), one of the first questions asked was about ‘his team.’ 

A sign outside of Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, erroneously claimed him as a Cub fan. But Pope Leo’s brother quickly disabused anyone of that idea. “He was never a Cubs fan,” said brother and fellow south-sider. “I don’t know where that came from. He was always a Sox fan.”

Editorial point of privilege: While Pope Leo’s White Sox lost 121 games a year ago, this year’s Colorado Rockies are on pace to lose 132. Please Pope Leo, send prayers.

In the basin of memory

Estevan Rael-Galvez
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In the basin of memory

I buried my mother one year ago today, and not a single moment passes without thinking of her. I see her reflected in so many things, including the objects she once held.

Photo courtesy: Estevan Rael-Galvez

I think of the white enamel baby bathtub she gifted me before she passed. It is older than I am—crafted from a sheet of metal, shaped into an oval, coated in powdered glass, and fired. Enamelware—a centuries-old technology. The basin may have been made in the 1940s, perhaps even used for my brother before me. While we storied so many things, if we ever spoke about where it came from, I don’t recall—only that she wanted me to know it was mine. She shared it with me, knowing I would one day understand the resonance of its meaning.

I imagine her at the stove, warming water in a kettle, pouring it gently into the basin, testing the heat with her wrist, and lining it with a soft cloth to shield my infant skin from the enamel’s chill. I must have cried the first time, or every time, but her comfort was always present—her long arms, her steady hands. I remember looking up at her, our eyes meeting in a silent exchange, conveying the idea that though it seemed frightening, I would be okay.

Decades later, I never imagined I would bathe my mother, trying to offer the same gentleness she once gave me. She also never imagined that moment and cried the first time I bathed her, and perhaps every time. We were both vulnerable—struggling to accept the inevitable—but I always tried to look deep into her eyes to assuage the same fear she had always chased away. 

Though he had many sisters and had never bathed his own mother, Juan’s tenderness with my mom revealed a love forged across decades. He made it seem easier than it felt for me. I remember one of her last baths, when she endured a susto that attacked her heart. It took us a moment to realize what was happening, but she slumped over. Juan carefully wrapped her arms around his neck and carried her softly to her bed. She recovered from that moment—she even stood on her own feet, but it was a ritual of touching ground before the flight.

When she passed, I sat with her for a long time. Eventually, I rose to my feet, following an instinct as if I had witnessed it thousands of times. I closed the door, warmed the water, and began to gently wipe the whole of her body, preparing it somehow for a journey. Tears streamed down my face, but though it was painful, the ritual felt profound in its release—and the memory will always be searing in my heart. 

This enamel basin now sits in my home, chipped at the edges, silent in its witness. It holds the memory of my first bath—and the memory of her.

DOGE cuts affect Pueblo’s residents

Ernest Gurulé
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DOGE cuts affect Pueblo’s residents

For Pueblo’s Steve Nawrocki, the ‘winter of discontent’ began January 20th, the day a new administration took office. It was just days later that President Trump kept his campaign promise of handing over the job of cutting governmental ‘waste, fraud and abuse’ to mega-billionaire, Elon Musk. Musk took the job and ran with it. 

Armed with a metaphorical chainsaw, the South African-born Musk and his DOGE team, mostly younger staffers, many of whom worked in other Musk operations, began dismantling institutions, slashing jobs and defunding countless programs while seemingly giving little thought to any unintended consequences.

But once the euphoria of Musk’s slash and burn wore off and it was determined that it was workers who were essential in making the wheels of numerous agencies turn, thousands of suddenly unemployed federal workers were just as suddenly rehired at the CDC, IRS, HHS and other federal agencies. But the purge continues along with job uncertainty for thousands of federal workers still punching the clock each day. 

Nawrocki, Executive Director of the city’s Senior Resource Development Agency, is not sure how the Trump-Musk scorched earth approach to cutting costs will ultimately impact his agency’s multi-faceted mission. But each day, things come into sharper focus.

Pueblo’s SRDA aids seniors across thirteen southern Colorado counties with housing, Meals on Wheels, nutrition and recreation programs and foster grandparent programs.

“The big one is AmeriCorps,” said Nawrocki. Its dismantling has resulted in a 90 percent reduction in workforce, almost certainly paralyzing its ability to meet its mission. This effort has also brought about a lawsuit by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser along with 24 states and the District of Columbia to stop its near dissolution. In 2024 alone, AmeriCorps, said Wieser, and its workers have assisted in countless ways in all 64 Colorado counties.

In Pueblo, Nawrocki said, AmeriCorps fuels the Foster Grandparent program. It’s a volunteer program that establishes a mentor-tutor relationship between seniors and school-aged boys and girls. In Pueblo, Nawrocki said, “seniors work 20 hours a week in schools…one-on-one” on reading, math and other subjects that may be challenging. Senior volunteers, he said, are not salaried but do receive a stipend for their time. 

DOGE cuts also worry SRDA’s executive director in other areas vital to seniors. “Meals on Wheels,” a program that originated in the United Kingdom during WWII and came to this country in the 1950’s delivers meals to seniors and others who may not be able to afford the costs of nutritional meals or simply get to the store to buy it on their own. But it’s more than that, said Nawrocki.

“There are so many seniors who live in isolation,” he said. Volunteers bringing meals are often the only interaction with another person someone elderly may have. The interaction with someone who shows up not only with a warm meal but with genuine care, he said, is priceless. 

“We were doing seven days a week” delivering two meals a day,” he said. “We’re down to two days a week,” and the list of people waiting to get approved for the program continues to grow. “Families,” he said, “were appreciative that someone was checking on them.” 

But DOGE cuts, along with the administration’s desire to eliminate countless other programs thought unnecessary or superfluous, are also causing concern and uncertainty in municipal government.

While a number of federal grants “have been awarded and formalized,” said Haley Sue Robinson, the city’s Director of Public Affairs, that is not the case for some infrastructure improvements that had been on the drawing board. 

As much as $41 million that had previously been approved by Congress in the Biden administration’s Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, including $13 million to replace the city’s Union Avenue bridge and another $11 million for charging and fueling infrastructure, is no longer as certain as it may once have been. But Pueblo is just one targeted area for DOGE. Other communities across southern Colorado are also feeling the same doubts.   

Until word from Washington is official and there is an itemized list of what is cut and what remains, Robinson says, it is ‘wait and see.’  “To date, we haven’t felt too many ripples resulting from changes in federal funding for state programs yet.  However, those effects could become more apparent in the months ahead as future program announcements are made.”

An America without alternative facts

David Conde
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An America without alternative facts
David Conde, Senior Consultant for International Programs

On Sunday, January 22, 2017, Council to President Trump and Kellyanne Conway went on the 60 Minute news show and presented “Alternative Facts” as a bonified concept in defense of what is considered a “Lie” advanced by Press Secretary Sean Spicer about the size of the crowd at the Presidents first inauguration. The use of “Alternative Facts” to counter the notion of accuracy and truth, at least in the politics and media of the time, was the main subject of contention in the confrontation between Chuck Todd, the 60 Minute interviewer, and Conway.

That event is what came to mind when I saw the Artificial Intelligence (AI) created portrait of President Trump as the new Pope announced on his network. That fantasy, concocted after the death of Pope Francis, is a reminder that in Trump’s world the mounting of alternative realities is a common currency of communication.

The presentation of “Pope Trump” perhaps as a throw away line of distraction from the tariff debacle, created an echo effect that reverberated in the belief systems of America and the world. This creation and a religious improbability that could not be imagined, the College of Cardinals in Rome elected an American from Chicago to lead the Church. 

Commentators appear perplexed that given that the United States holds the majority of the sway around the world, the last thing one would think about is to elect an American as Pope and add to that pressure. In doing so however, I believe the cardinals considered both the quality of the man and the real and symbolic role he may play in balancing a high technology driven reality created out of a sense of entitlement on the part of those in control of America (and the world?) and their wealthy and powerful allies.

First, Robert Francis Prevost chose an academic path that goes at the foundations of our reason. His academic preparation shows a primary dedication to a traditional concept of truth. 

His major at Loyola University was Mathematics. Math is the only language of substance that can question itself as well as go where no others can. 

Its notion of truth can be measured far beyond the elemental reality of being. It cannot be defeated by real or imagined fabrications that robotically repeat the message of invented alternatives.

Second, his ministry is based on loyalty to the gospel, unity, peace, justice and compassion. It is also a calling to the notion of building bridges so that everyone can see themselves as being one people.

Third, when we dig deeper, Pope Leo XIV approaches the kind of America that is being diminished and belittled by those in this country that believe that “America First” is a concept reserved only for themselves. Among his ancestors are Europeans like Italians, French and people of color such as Haitian and Creole among others.

It is significant that in his first speech as Pope, Leo IV “began in Italian, added a few lines in Spanish, and concluded with the traditional blessing in Latin. He didn’t speak a word of English. He sent greetings to his former diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru, but not to his hometown of Chicago, Illinois.”

It is with the marginalized people of Peru that Pope Leo XIV made a major contributions to his ministry. The mission to Chiclayo symbolizes the elements that forms the bases of his ministry. 

That is the mission he is bringing to the United States. That is the reality that presents no alternative to the truth.

The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of LaVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to News@lavozcolorado.com.

Don’t wait: Make vaccine appointments now

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Don’t wait: Make vaccine appointments now

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment releases 2024-2025 school and child care immunization rates

Public health officials urge families to get caught up on any vaccines they might be missing by scheduling appointments now. Many vaccines are required for school, child care, and summer camps in Colorado, including measles, whooping cough, mumps, polio, and varicella (chickenpox). The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recommends talking with your health care provider, pharmacist, or local public health agency about several other vaccines which protect against other preventable diseases, including meningococcal, hepatitis A, rotavirus, human papillomavirus, influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. 

“Keeping our kids healthy at school starts with getting them vaccinated. With growing measles outbreaks in the United States and around the world, including large outbreaks in nearby states, it’s more important than ever to make sure all students are caught up on childhood vaccines. Spring and summer months are great times to schedule check-ups and make sure your child’s immunizations are up to date. This simple step helps keep them healthy and allows them to focus on learning and having fun in school,” said Dr. Ned Calonge, chief medical officer, CDPHE. 

Families should talk with their child’s health care provider, pharmacist, or local public health agency about any questions they may have about vaccines and to schedule an appointment. School-required vaccines can be safely given with other recommended vaccines, including COVID-19 and flu. Most health insurance plans, including Medicaid and CHP+, cover the cost of vaccines so families do not have to pay anything at providers that accept their health plans. Even families without health insurance can get free or low-cost vaccines for their children. To find a free or low-cost vaccine provider, visit COVax4Kids.org.

As summer approaches, many children are looking forward to attending camp. Colorado camps create a healthy and safe environment where children learn, play, and grow. Just like within school settings, Colorado law requires all students attending Colorado overnight and day camps to be vaccinated against certain diseases, unless an exemption is filed. Families can review the immunization requirements to attend camp in Colorado webpage to figure out which vaccines their children need before camp season begins.

Aggregate, de-identified data reported to CDPHE by schools and child care providers for the 2024-2025 school year is available online. Downloadable datasets are available in the CDPHE Open Data Portal.

“Ensuring our children have all their vaccines is not just about meeting school entry requirements, it’s about providing community protection against preventable diseases like measles. Don’t wait for an outbreak – take a moment this spring to schedule your child’s vaccine appointments and contribute to a healthier school year ahead for everyone,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist, CDPHE.

Data is gathered through a Colorado Board of Health rule that requires most schools and licensed child cares to report aggregate, de-identified immunization data to CDPHE annually. The information may change throughout the year. Public, private, and parochial schools with grades K-12, as well as child care centers, preschools, and Head Start programs licensed to provide care for 10 or more children, must report. More information on Colorado’s 2024-2025 School and Child Care Immunization data can be found in CDPHE’s FAQ in English and Spanish.

CDPHE is here to help families securely track their vaccines and make sure they are up to date. Additional resources include:

  • COVaxRates.org makes it easy for people to look up vaccination rates for schools and child care facilities in Colorado so they can make the best decision for their children.
  • COVax4Kids.org helps people find out if their children are eligible for free or low-cost vaccines, as well as where to find them.

Our Government

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Our Government

White House

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins will visit the United Kingdom May 12-14. This comes after President Donald J. Trump announced last week, on the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe, the U.S.-UK Economic Prosperity Deal that will lower tariffs, remove trade barriers, increase market access, and strengthen cooperation on economic security.

Colorado Governor

Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to improve conservation and stewardship of public lands. “This new law will help Colorado protect its iconic landscapes, encourage outdoor recreation, and ensure that farming and ranching continue to thrive on state trust lands,” said Sen. Katie Wallace, D-Longmont. 

Denver Mayor

The City and County of Denver’s Department of Housing Stability (HOST) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking qualified affordable housing development partners to join a five-year roster that will support the city’s long-term vision to create or preserve 7,000 affordable homes while building a future pipeline to bring 3,000 affordable residential and mixed-use units annually.  “Denver’s lack of affordable housing is a solvable problem, and we are the ones to solve it,” said Mayor Mike Johnston.

A Week In Review

Joseph Rios
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A Week In Review

Africa 

Malawian cricket official killed  

Arjun Menon, a top Malawian cricket official, was “brutally murdered” at his home, according to local reports. He was a wicketkeeper and represented Singapore five times at senior level. Menon was the operations manager of Cricket Malawi, and local police have yet to release a statement about the incident. 

Burkina Faso military accused of massacre

A new Human Rights Watch report accused Burkina Faso government forces and an allied militia of killing at least 130 civilians in March. The  alleged massacre also resulted in the displacement of ethnic Fulanis. The Fulani are a Muslim community who have been accused by the government of backing Islamist militants, an allegation they denied. 

Asia 

India-Pakistan military leaders meet over ceasefire agreement  

Military officials from India and Pakistan gathered together on Monday to discuss additional details for a ceasefire that was agreed upon over the weekend. Recently, there was intense shelling and aerial incursions from both sides. Meanwhile, India is planning to reopen 32 airports for civilians that were previously closed because of safety concerns. 

Taliban bans chess

People in Afghanistan are no longer allowed to play chess until further notice because of fears of gambling. The Taliban government made the announcement, saying the game isn’t compatible with Islamic law. Previously, the Taliban government banned mixed martial arts in professional competition, because the government alleges the sport is too violent and problematic. 

Europe 

Poland accuses Russia of 2024 arson

Officials in Poland have accused Russian intelligence services of creating a massive fire in 2024. The fire nearly completely destroyed a shopping center in Warsaw. Poland Prime Minister Donald Tusk made the accusation on X, saying he knows “for sure” the fire was caused by arson ordered by Russian officials. 

Dozens of soccer fans injured after pitch invasion

At least 25 fans were taken to a hospital after a pitch invasion in Germany at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion. The injuries occurred when thousands of fans rushed the field after Hamburg won an important game. Around 65 emergency personnel were deployed, and around 19 of the injuries are considered to be serious. 

Latin America 

Mexico sues Google over “Gulf of America” name

Officials in Mexico are suing Google for ignoring requests to not rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on its map services. At the beginning of the year, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office calling for the area to be renamed. Google said it made the change to its maps as part of a “long standing practice” of following name changes when updated by governments. 

Nazi paperwork found in Argentina

Worker clearing the basement of Argentina’s Supreme Court discovered boxes with membership booklets for Nazi-affiliated organizations. The documents originally arrived in Argentina in 1941 aboard a Japanese steamship. The crates have since been moved to a secure office in the building. 

North America 

Kentucky Derby winning jockey suspended

Officials have fined and suspended Jockey Junior Alvarado for striking his horse eight times during the Kentucky Derby race. Alvarado won the race, but regulations say a rider can only strike a horse six times with a crop. He was fined $62,000 and suspended for two upcoming racing days. 

New Jersey mayor arrested during protests

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested last week after allegedly trying to force his way into a migrant detention facility. Officials accused him of committing trespass and ignoring multiple warnings. He was released following his arrest and has been charged with one count of trespassing.

Supreme Court halts second deportation

Ernest Gurulé
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Supreme Court halts second deportation

In a last minute decision, the United States Supreme Court foiled Donald Trump’s desire to send a second group of incarcerated and mostly Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador’s CECOT prison. 

The early Saturday morning stay blocked a second wave of men—identified by the Trump administration as members of the MS-13 gang—from being airlifted to what has been called the most unforgivable prison in the world. Included among those shipped to CECOT prison in the first deportation flight in March was a 19-year-old Venezuelan immigrant arrested in Aurora.

The attorney for Nixon Azuaje-Perez said ICE mistakenly arrested the teenager based upon faulty evidence linking him to the Tren de Aragua gang. But the young man had been living in the same Aurora apartment complex that had been rife with what authorities said was gang—Tren de Aragua violence. 

While Azuaje-Perez is among the few whose name is known to be among the 238 that ICE rounded up and flew to El Salvador’s infamous prison, it is Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident, who is now best known among the incarcerated. 

But each new inmate in the prison that El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele boasts is inescapable, has the same defense for release and return to the U.S. None of the 238 was afforded due process, a right guaranteed by the Constitution. 

Due process is the requirement that a person be afforded all legal rights, including the right to a fair trial, the right to know the charges and the right to be heard. Many of the families of the men arrested and sent to CECOT say they were neither gang members nor facing charges for any other offenses.

The A.C.L.U. had frantically been trying to find courts willing to stay the order to pack the men off to CECOT. “These men were close to spending their lives in a horrific foreign prison without ever having had any due process,” A.C.L.U. attorney Lee Gelernt told the New York Times. 

Pueblo’s Retired 10th Judicial District Chief Judge Dennis Maes said he was shocked but also not shocked by the President’s actions. “Due process is at the very heart of our system of Juris Prudence. It affords (everyone) the opportunity to determine whether the government is being fair in its treatment of an individual.” 

The men earmarked for deportation to CECOT prison were being housed at the Texas Bluebonnet Correctional Facility in Anson, Texas. The closest city to Anson is Abilene. Had the Supreme Court not interceded, the men would have joined ICE’s previous detainees at the prison whose dark reputation, many say, falls short of its reality.

The prison, Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo but most often referred to by the acronym CECOT, was built to combat gang violence that had engulfed El Salvador in the second decade of the new century and at the order of President Bukele. It opened in 2023 and holds as many as 40,000 inmates, many who are members of the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gangs. It has been referred to as “a black hole for human rights.” 

Inmates are confined in cells that hold up to 100 inmates; each inmate’s head is shaved every five days; clothes are simple tee shirts, shorts and rubber clogs; lights remain on 24 hours a day; bedding is a metal rack; there are no pillows and sheets; each cell has a single open toilet and a concrete basin for drinking water; all reading material except the Bible is banned; correspondence is forbidden; inmates are denied outdoor access; visitors are forbidden, including lawyers; there are no rehabilitation programs.

One United Nations observer allowed to view the facility to determine if there was torture being carried out said CECOT was built to “dispose of people without formally applying the death penalty.” El Salvador’s President said the only way an inmate will leave is “inside of a coffin.” 

Demands for freedom for Garcia, who is married to an American and has three children, and others that may have been unjustly ‘disappeared,’ have sprouted up across the country. 

Garcia’s Senator, Maryland Democrat Chris van Hollen, did secure a visit with Garcia. Pictures of the visit, one showing Garcia in civilian clothes and sitting poolside with the Senator, have gone viral. But the senator returned home without the father of three. Garcia has since been transferred to another, less restrictive El Salvador prison. 

Garcia came to the U.S. in 2006 and, says his family, has no gang affiliation. But two judges, in separate rulings, determined that he did. They based their opinions on information gleaned from a confidential informant. But Garcia was allowed to stay because he said deportation would make him a target of MS-13 gangs. 

Trump’s desire to deport this group of Venezuelans to El Salvador, which the U.S. pays $6 million a year to house, may only be a temporary delay. He and his lawyers believe they have the right based on the Alien Enemies Act, a Revolutionary War statute and the same law used to inter Japanese Americans in WWII. But the law, say A.C.L.U. attorneys, is only applicable during a time of war or military invasion.

It remains unclear how long the Supreme Court ruling will be in place. But Trump has a track record of defying the courts and very well, say his critics, could challenge the Supreme Court. They also say, if he takes that route, no one should be surprised.“We absolutely need the courts,” said Judge Maes. “But he (Trump) has tested every single boundary. I’m just appalled by this; I never thought our democracy would be challenged. The rule of law is sacrosanct.” 

About the queen of queens in your life 

LaVozColorado Staff
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About the queen of queens in your life 

That special allocated day in May is this Sunday, May 11th. It’s a day set aside to celebrate the woman who gave you life, unconditional love, support, offered advice you didn’t want, and discipline you rejected.

As you regularly hear, you only have one mother. As children we know she is the person we run to when we are hurt, ill or experience the negative in life. She is the foundation of all families in good and bad times.

As we grow older, we oftentimes clash with our mothers on many levels like choice of friends, dress and music, but like a beacon she remains your guiding light throughout your life.

Most daughters eventually become mothers, and we continue down the same path of trying to be a positive role model for our children, and because we are human, we sometimes fail in that role. 

You do become your mom as many eventually learn. You may hear her voice, guidance, and yes, unfairness when you speak to your child. You may shake your head as deja vu sets in and you hear your mother’s voice in you.

Your mother’s teachings will remain in your life, because they are fundamental and wise. Your earlier clashing with mom eventually subsides and instead turn into friendship.

Know that most moms everywhere didn’t take Mom 101 on how to be a great mom. She often learned as she grew older.  Moms do the best they can to make us happy. I do recall as a child crying and throwing a tantrum because my mother could not afford a new outfit. Instead, she offered me two lessons in life. She said ” You should be ashamed crying because you can’t get a new dress. Do you know that our neighbor can’t walk.” A lesson in humility. She followed up by altering an older sister’s dress to fulfill that unconditional love. A lesson in love and resourcefulness.

Mothers play many roles, like the role of teacher, dad, nurse, cook, counselor, referee, in an effort to make our life better. You may remember the sad things in life, but the bulk of ours were a life of dedication and effort to make us happy.

On a personal level, I’m  not the perfect mom and neither is any woman, but remember this, there is a special day for moms who love you beyond measure, made mistakes along the way, raised their voice and often embarrassed you, pinched your arm in Church for misbehaving,  and although you didn’t know it, protected you all of your life.

Also know that we were proud of you when you found an expensive item someone had lost, and you found the owner, proud of you when you escorted a disabled young girl to a prom event and so proud of your balanced nature. Most of all proud of the way you’ve raised an incredibly good son.

We see our life’s work on display when we experience your integrity in school by standing up for others, and yes, for calling your teacher a Chauvinist because he remarked why a young girl knew so much about sports, or later in life standing up for your beliefs. We see your loyalty and generosity shine and so proud always doing the right thing.

On this special day moms are celebrated because of you, our life’s dedication, our children.

Happy Mother’s Day!

The Denver Nuggets advance, the Avalanche postseason run ends

Brandon Rivera
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The Denver Nuggets advance, the Avalanche postseason run ends

The Denver Nuggets beat the L.A. Clippers in game seven on Saturday night. The Nuggets were behind 26-21 in the first quarter but bounced back in the second and never looked back. Denver defeated L.A.in dominating fashion 120 – 101. 

Nikola Jokic fell short of a triple double ending the night with 16 points, 8 assists and 10 rebounds. The Nuggets stars of the night were Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun who both scored over 20 points while four other Nuggets were in double digits including Russell Westbrook who scored 16 points in Denver’s win.

The Nuggets have advanced to the second round with the Oklahoma City Thunder the West’s top team and expected to last until the Finals. Denver is two seasons separated from their-own Championship run. 

Game one took place in Oklahoma City on Monday night. The Denver Nuggets kept it close in the first quarter but Oklahoma started to increase the lead on the Nuggets heading into the half up 60-50. The Nuggets fought back in the second half outscoring Oklahoma 35 to 30 in the third cutting their lead to five and then 36-29 in the fourth defeating the Thunder on their court 121-119.

Game two is scheduled this week (Game results not available at the time of this writing) on Wednesday at 7:30 and return to Denver on Friday May 9th at 8 p.m. The Nuggets take an unexpected 1-0 lead heading into game two.

The Colorado Avalanche were eliminated by the Dallas Stars in game seven on Sunday in Dallas after taking a 2-0 lead early. Dallas fought back scoring four unanswered goals three of which came by ex-Avs player Mikko Rantanen, to knock off the Colorado Avalanche. The Colorado Rockies chalked up two wins since last week bringing their overall record to a whopping 6-28. The Rockies are already 17 games behind the division leading L.A. Dodgers just one month into the season. The Rockies hold the worst record in baseball at the moment.

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