Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Ángeles, the first mariachi band formed by LGBTQ musicians in Los Angeles, is celebrating its 5th anniversary, La Opinión reports. Founded by director Carlos Samaniego, the band soon became a big success, as this type of traditional Mexican music is usually associated with macho attitudes. Among its 11 members are two women, including Natalia Melendez, considered the first transgender person in the mariachi world. All the band members are Mexican or Mexican­ Americans, but three are not part of the LGBTQ community. “They are our allies in our mission,” said band member Allan Vazquez López. Link to original story →

Around 40 pro-immigrant protesters took their anti-Trump message to El Paso’s Border Patrol Museum, El Diario de El Paso reports. The action was part of a “Weekend for Immigration Justice” that called for the release of migrant minors detained by the federal administration, and for family reunification. “This museum doesn’t tell the real history of the Border Patrol, and the crimes committed against immigrants,” said activist Hope Alvarado with a loudspeaker, to the surprise of visitors and employees. The 15-minute protest was peaceful and, although protesters were questioned by the police, there were no arrests. Link to original story →

Following a week of “historic” raids in North Carolina, demonstrators unsuccessfully asked a Burlington hotel to kick out their guests who were ICE agents, Qué Pasa reports. Activists and relatives of a man who had been detained that same day in Asheboro staged the Feb. 7 protest at the reception of a Holiday Inn Express. “ICE wants us immigrants to be afraid. They want to provoke chaos and then blame the local police for ‘not doing enough’ on family separation,” said Laura Garduño García, member of community group Siembra NC. “We are united against this injustice.” Link to original story →

The Polish Triangle in Chicago marks the heart of what used to be a thriving Polish neighborhood with stores, schools, churches and organizations, but in recent years as immigrants moved to the suburbs, the neighborhood has been losing its ethnic feel. Dziennik Zwiazkowy reports that the Polish Triangle Coalition has reached out to Bugaj Architects to help preserve the location's Polish character, and now the organization hopes that the modernization of the local CTA train station will cast new light on the Triangle and bring in more funds for its revitalization. Link to original story →