More on former Undersheriff Paul Tanaka's indictment, Volvo makes a promise for safety by 2020, Blythe Danner's new film, 'I'll See You In My Dreams.'
Despite being given priority, migrant youth still face high rate of deportation in LA's immigration courts
Nine months after the Justice Department announced a policy to speed up cases for migrant youth, more than half the juveniles in Los Angeles' immigration courts have nevertheless been ordered deported, according to data obtained by KPCC. None were granted asylum.
The data, acquired through a Freedom of Information Act request from the Department of Justice, also show that more than half of the migrant youth faced a judge without an attorney – the single most important factor in determining the outcome, according to a 2014 study by Syracuse University's Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse.
The FOIA data are from July 18, 2014, through April 20, 2015, and cover 471 completed unaccompanied minor cases in the Los Angeles jurisdiction. All of the children were processed through a priority docket, a designation that the Justice Department made in 2014 in response to the surge of child migrants. Of those cases in L.A., 287 juveniles were ordered removed.
Nationwide, unaccompanied minors rose to 68,541 in fiscal year 2014, prompting a debate over the workings of a complex and overwhelmed immigration court system. The following graphs show a snapshot of how these cases are playing out in L.A.
Highlights of the findings:
Most youth receive orders of removal
Though no juveniles were granted relief through the courts, it is possible that some are seeking to stay through other means, such as asylum. For example, juveniles have the option of applying at the Department of Homeland Security's asylum office, which could prompt the case to be administratively closed at the courts. It's also possible that removal orders were issued after youth failed to show up for court dates.
"Claims for asylum incorporate a lot more complex areas of law, and there will be evidence submission, testimony, other factors that result in a longer time for that case to be completed," said Lauren Alder Reid, Counsel for Legislative and Public Affairs at the Executive Office of Immigration Review, the agency that oversees the immigration courts.
"[The cases] require a lot of really careful evaluation and our immigration judges are very good at making sure to evaluate each case under the law that applies," said Alder Reid.
The agency expects to swear in 17 additional judges later this month and is in the process of hiring 85 more judges nationwide in order to address high caseloads, said Alder Reid.
Over half of youth face a judge without an attorney
Unlike criminal courts, proceedings in the nation's immigration courts are considered administrative, and legal counsel is not guaranteed. This has been a contentious issue.
In 2014, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law to provide $3 million in legal aid for migrant youth. The same year, legal advocates also filed a lawsuit, J.E.F.M v. Holder, over the right to counsel for migrant youth.
The legal process to contest deportation is often complex and difficult to navigate, said Bruce Einhorn, a former immigration judge in Los Angeles and currently a law professor at Pepperdine University.
The child must establish that they are a member of a persecuted social group in their home country.
"The applicants must also prove that their future persecution or their past persecution would be or was on account of their membership in that group," said Einhorn, adding that the requirement needs documentation and benefits from an attorney.
The Executive Office for Immigration Review operates several programs, such as the Recognition and Accreditation Program, aimed at boosting legal representation for youth cases. That specific program currently partners with more than 20 legal groups in Los Angeles, according to EOIR.
Youth from Central America lead surge in immigration cases
The rise in violence and powerful gangs in Central America have prompted youth to say they fear persecution if they return to their countries, said Yanci Montes, legal representative with El Rescate, a nonprofit that provides legal services to immigrants in Los Angeles. The group represents about 350 youth cases at the immigration courts, said Montes.
“The first thing they tell me is, 'I don't want to get killed,'" said Montes. "'I don't want my family to get killed. I'm afraid that these gang members will actually find out that I returned, and as soon as they find out that I returned, they might kill me.'"
There are 1,805 youth still waiting to have their cases heard in LA's immigration courts. Many could face a judge in the coming months.
State of Affairs: Gov. Jerry Brown's revised budget proposal, Loretta Sanchez's announcement
On this week's State of Affairs, Governor Jerry Brown unveils his updated budget proposal, the lion's share of which will go to public education, and Rep. Loretta Sanchez set to make a "special announcement" today.
Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, Professor of the Practice of Public Policy Communication at USC, and Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, SCPR Education Reporter, join Take Two.
Paul Tanaka indictment
Today one of the most powerful figures in law enforcement himself surrendered to authorities.
Former L.A. County Undersheriff Paul Tanaka was indicted by a federal grand jury that was investigating excessive force and corruption in the county jails.
We'll talk about it with Laurie L. Levenson, a professor of Law at Loyola Law School.
The Wheel Thing: Volvo aims to reduce auto fatalities to zero
An estimated 32,000 Americans are expected to die in crashes this year. That's down almost 25 percent from just a decade ago. Some believe we can eliminate all vehicle deaths before the next decade begins.
Even though it's built its brand around safety, Volvo has an audacious plan. Back in 2008, it added this line to its vision statement: "By 2020, nobody shall be seriously injured or killed in a new Volvo."
The company's new XC90 crossover makes some serious strides toward fulfilling that promise. Safety enhancements include seats that absorb energy in a crash, augmented by seat belts that tighten instantly when onboard sensors detect a collision.
Because drivers generally slam on the brakes when an accident is imminent, Volvo designed collapsing brake pedal, to minimize damage to the driver's legs upon impact.
Radar along the rear of the XC90 can sense when a car is about to slam into the back of the Volvo. It flashes blinkers to alert the errant driver. When its sure impact is inevitable, it tightens the seat belts and locks the brakes to protect driver and passengers.
There's also a system which will stop the car if it attempts to turn left into oncoming traffic.
All this is attached to the crossover's hefty body. About 40 percent of it is made of light but super-strong boron steel. A variety of design tricks are employed to make sure the car takes the impact damage, so the occupants don't.
It's not clear if Volvo will meet its ambitious goal in the five years it has left to reach it. But before you dismiss the idea as quixotic, note that the Swedish government has a similar plan, as does one of the most challenging places for drivers on earth, New York City.
Women directors are rare in Hollywood, but is gender bias in play?
Women directed only 4 percent of top-grossing films over the last dozen years. While it is a shame, is it also illegal?
Melissa Goldman, director of the LGBT Gender and Reproductive Justice Project at the ACLU of Southern California, is weighing this very question. She's calling on state and federal agencies to investigate the hiring practices of major Hollywood studios, networks and talent agencies to see whether gender discrimination is in play when recruiting and hiring female directors.
Goldman and television director Tawnia McKiernan both join host Alex Cohen to discuss the issue of gender bias in Hollywood.
Sneezing triggered by light, and a bathroom graffiti study
On this week's Lab Notes: Sneezing fits triggered by light, the fourth state of matter discovered and what a study on bathroom graffiti found out about men and women. KPCC's Sanden Totten has more.
Griffith Observatory at 80: Watch its most famous movie appearances
Many people come to Los Angeles to become a star. But want to look up at the stars? Then perched high atop Griffith Park sits the Griffith Observatory.
It opened 80 years ago in 1935 as the brainchild of philanthropist Griffith J. Griffith.
In addition to its extensive astronomy programming, the Observatory has been a backdrop itself on film and TV.
One of its most iconic appearances was in "Rebel Without a Cause," as the location where James Dean's Jim clashes with rival Buzz.
Scott Bakula's Sam Beckett couldn't help being starstruck, himself, when he paid it a visit in an episode of "Quantum Leap."
Griffith Observatory is also where Arnold Schwartzenegger time-traveled ... and showed off what bodybuilding can do for you ... in "The Terminator."
E.C. Krupp, executive director of Griffith Observatory, explains the history and secrets of the building that's become an iconic L.A. landmark.
At Silicon Valley's first-ever 'Fashion Week?' drones own the runway
The Silicon Valley is holding its first-ever Fashion Week? (question mark intended). The three-day event, headed up by Betabrand, is complete with drones hovering down the catwalk.
For more, we hear from Tony Bravo, who writes about art and style for the San Francisco Chronicle.
Blythe Danner on her new film 'I'll See You in My Dreams'
The new film "I'll See You in My Dreams" focuses on a widow in her early 70s, living in Los Angeles.
Carol seems quite content to be on her own, until she meets a handsome older man at the supermarket.
Carol is played by actress Blythe Danner, also a widow, also in her early 70s. Also quite content to be living on her own.
Host Alex Cohen spoke with Danner about the role, and about what it's like for actresses over 70 in Hollywood.
To hear the full interview, click the link above.
"I'll See You in My Dreams" opens in theaters May 15.
Why LA is home to Iran's 'Rebel Music'
MTV's new "Rebel Music" series explores the complexities of musical expression in countries like Myanmar, Turkey and Senegal.
"Rebel Music: Iran" airs Thursday night. Take Two's A Martinez talks with Iranian hip hop artist, Erfan and the director of "Rebel Music: Iran" Roxana Vilk about the intersection of music and politics in their home country and why L.A. is the hub of the Iranian music scene.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s1aoWgKOaU&gclid=CP6E3Ov0wcUCFQqGaQodclAAOw