Tiempo with Joe Torres

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss how the Tri-State area is preparing for the 2026 World Cup. New Jersey recently hosted a summit on public safety surrounding the colossal event. The Garden State's MetLife Stadium is one of several U.S. sites hosting matches. The conversation touched on crowd behavior, security readiness and community coordination. The event was held at Seton Hall University in South Orange and brought together leaders across professional soccer, global event security, small business development and law enforcement. The focus: to ensure the region is ready to safely welcome the soccer competition. The public summit is part of a docuseries called "Kicking it to 2026" that will document how the World Cup will impact the communities surrounding it. Joining us to disucss is Giovanna Aguilar, director of "Kicking it to 2026," and Kelly Brozyna from the New Jersey Small Business Development Center. Also ahead, a new program offers free libraries inside bodegas in the Bronx. The program is the mission of a nonprofit that wants to address the absence of bookstores and low literacy rates. They also want to expand children's interest and curiosity in books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss the impact of the U.S. trial against ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The former president of Venezuela and his wife Cilia Flores faced a judge in a New York court last month after their dramatic capture by U.S. forces in Caracas back in January. There were demonstrators outside the courthouse. Meanwhile, Venezuela remains in a state of major political transition. Joining us to discuss is Alejandro Velasco, a professor at NYU and native of Venezuela. [h3]RELATED COVERAGE: [url HREF="https://abc7ny.com/post/ousted-venezuelan-president-nicholas-maduro-set-return-manhattan-federal-court/18777739/" TARGET="_blank" REL=""]Ousted Maduro returns to court, judge says he won't dismiss case[/url][/h3] [media ID="18782172" /] Also ahead, New Jersey law now bans ICE agents and police from wearing masks on the job in the Garden State. It's one of three new laws signed recently by Gov. Mikie Sherrill in response to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. We'll have more details on the new pieces of legislation coming up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss the importance of family-owned, home-based day care businesses in the Latino community. Over 85% of Latino infants and toddlers in low-income households depend on these home-based businesses, according to the Hispanic Research Center. The Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco) is a nonprofit organization helping to address that need. One of their many programs is to help home-based day care owners successfully run their businesses. The organization offers extensive training opportunities for home-based child care providers. The nonprofit is based in the South Bronx and was founded in 1992 and serves over 40,000 people annually. Joining us to discuss is Davon Russell, president of WHEDco, and Ana Escoto, who owns a home-based day care. They talk about the critical role home-based child care businesses play in the Latino community. Also ahead, a closer look at the new off-Broadway production, "Public Charge." It's an autobiographical play that chronicles the life of a Latina powerhouse who rose through the ranks of the U.S. government to become a high-level diplomat and ambassador. The production explores the principled use of power and the belief that government can be a force for good. We'll have details on the play and where you can catch it coming up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Cuba after the island nation ran out of fuel. The energy shortage follows the U.S. military operation in Venezuela, which was the island's main source of crude oil. To make matters worse, there are also shortages of food, medicine and clean water. The Cuban people have suffered through widespread blackouts, and it appears that the island nation has run out of allies willing to supply the hundreds of millions of dollars worth of fuel needed to power the economy. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has said Cuba's days are numbered. Joining us to discuss is Alina Camacho, professor of Spanish and Latin American Studies at St. John's University. Also ahead, details on the nonprofit organization, New York Junior Tennis and Learning. The organization engages youth in tennis while prioritizing academic excellence and scholastic support. Students in the program have a 100% acceptance rate to a four-year college. We talk to the founder of the organization and a Latino high school student who has benefitted greatly from the program. The student is an elite tennis player and academic wizard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss the growing homelessness crisis and its disproportionate impact on the Latino community in New York City. Hispanic people represent about 32% of heads of household in the shelter system, according to the New York State Comptroller's Office. [url HREF="https://www.projectrenewal.org/" TARGET="_blank" REL="nofollow"]Project Renewal[/url] is helping Latinos transition from shelters to stable housing to end the cycle of homelessness. The nonprofit was founded in 1967 as a de-toxification program and has evolved into a comprehensive social services agency. Project Renewal serves over 10,000 New Yorkers annually. Their mission is to empower individuals and families through three primary pillars: health, homes and employment. Joining us to discuss is Shannon Gonzales from Project Renewal. Also on our program, New York City's Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) has extended its application deadline. There are about 100,000 summer job opportunities available for young adults between ages 14-24. The city program helps keep youth engaged and active during the summer. We'll talk to one of the nonprofit organizations involved in the program and learn more about the many available jobs. And more on Teatro Fest 2026, the citywide event celebrating Latino theatre productions. The festival spans multiple neighborhoods in three boroughs with over 20 different performances, including musical comedies, children's puppetry and dances like tango, just to name a few. There's something for the entire family, and we have the details coming up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we catch up with one local congresswoman following her announcement to step down from public office. Rep. Nydia Velazquez, who represents New York's Seventh Congressional District, will retire from Congress when her term comes to an end. Velazquez always will be the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the House of Representatives back in 1993. Born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, she has consistently fought for the island, including advocacy for better working conditions and economic development. She has also advocated and battled for Latinos, immigrants and working-class families. In what way? Through empowering small businesses, expanding economic opportunities and mentoring future Latino leaders. Joining us is "La Luchadora," Congresswoman Nydia Velezquez. Also ahead, Boricua superstar Bad Bunny's Super Bwol Halftime Show goes down in history as one of the most-watched performances ever. A college course at Rutgers University digs deep into the global superstar's music and global impact. The class uses it to study Puerto Rican history, U.S. colonialism and cultural identity. We speak to the professor teaching the class about the curriculum, the course content and the student interest in all things Bad Bunny. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss the recent legislative victory for street vendors in New York City. New York City Council members recently passed a bill which makes it easier for vendors to obtain a license. Former Mayor Eric Adams vetoed the reform package before he left office. Only a few thousand permits and licenses are authorized in the city, and there are an estimated 23,000 street vendors doing business across the five boroughs. The vast majority of vendors operate unlawfully and without proper documentation. Proponents of the street vendor measure say it is an important step to remedy the city's broken vending system and to protect the city's largely immigrant vendor workforce as immigration arrests surge under President Donald Trump's administration. Joining us to discuss is Carina Kaufman Gutierrez from the New York City Vendors Project, a major advocate of the reform package. Also ahead, New Jersey's Public Schools Superintendent of the Year is Latino. Dr. Raymond Gonzalez leads the Westfield Public Schools District. The New Jersey Association of School Administrators recently chose the doctor for his exceptional leadership and vision in the Garden State's public schools. We'll talk to him about the prestigious acknowledgment coming up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss the recent detainment of a local Latino church leader by Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents in Brooklyn. Immigration enforcement took Deacon Sebastian Renoj Ordoñez into federal custody outside his home. ICE agents also took seven other community members into custody. Community leaders gathered recently to call out the arrest. The deacon, originally from Guatemala, serves parishioners at the Young Christians Church in the southside of Brooklyn. He has been an active church leader for nearly 20 years and has no known criminal record. Pastor Erick Salgado from the Young Christians Church joins Tiempo to shed some light on the situation. Also on our program, we highlight the nonprofit Camino al Éxito Project For All. The organization is located in Dutchess County and its mission is quite simple: empower Latinos in the Hudson Valley. It offers a wide range of services like youth mentorship, adult workshops, legal services, job readiness and much more. We talk to the leaders of the organization coming up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss the potential impacts of federal funding cuts on nonprofit organizations in New York City. President Donald Trump announced his administration will withhold federal payments to sanctuary cities beginning on Sunday. The president believes sanctuary cities have policies that limit local law enforcement's ability to cooperate with federal immigration officers. A significant portion of the federal funds go to social services, education and housing, just to name a few. The decision has a major financial impact for many nonprofits in the Tri-State area. Joining us to discuss is Dr. Lauren Jen, assistant medical director at Children's Aid, and Pedro Rodriguez, executive director of La Jornada. We also catch up with the Bronx Council on the Arts, the official cultural agency for the borough. The organization offers grants, artist residencies and resources, especially for underrepresented groups in the Bronx. We'll have more on the council and the free workshops and programs it offers coming up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss the latest on federal immigration crackdowns across the country and in New York City, including the recent detention of a NYC Council employee. Newly-elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he will not work with federal immigration enforcement agents and will firmly uphold sanctuary city policies. During a recent visit to New York, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem highlighted the results of a series of high-profile ICE operations. Her visit was heavily overshadowed by the shooting in Minneapolis, where an ICE agent fatally shot a 37-year-old mother of three. Immigration attorneys, advocacy groups and employers can anticipate greater scrutiny from the federal government regarding hiring practices, foreign-born workers, visa applications and more. Joining us to discuss and provide some counsel on what to expect and how to prepare is immigration attorney Chris Cabanillas. We also have details on a new college program designed to provide first-generation and low-income students with an affordable and debt-free education. Small class sizes, dedicated academic advisors, counseling services and additional support like free meals and laptops are among resources being offered to students. We'll have more on the two-year associate degree program at the University of Mount Saint Vincent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we take an in-depth look at the capture of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The couple pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other federal charges in a New York federal court week. U.S. military forces captured the president and his wife last weekend in a military operation in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. Since then, country officials swore in Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as the interim leader, after what the Venezuelan Supreme Court called Maduro's kidnapping. Maduro and his wife will remain at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park, Brooklyn until their next court date in March. Joining us to discuss is Alejandro Velasco, an associate professor of Latin American Studies at New York University. We also take a look at a report from Nielsen focusing on Latino viewer trends in 2025. The company studies and measures audience behavior across all channels and digital platforms. The good news is that Latino viewers are driving significant shifts in media consumption, with a high usage of many streaming services. Analysts expect strong ratings for Boricua star Bad Bunny's 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show. We talk with the folks at Nielsen to highlight the significant Latino footprint across American sports and pop culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we take a closer look at the escalating geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. The U.S. launched Operation Southern Spear -- a major military campaign to try and dismantle drug trafficking networks. It also began a naval mission to intercept tankers transporting Venezuelan oil. Anxious uncertainty hangs over many Venezuelan Americans as they watch the escalation of force against their home country. More than 6.8 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2014, and the exodus continues. Joining us to discuss further on what happening in Venezuela is Niurka Meléndez from Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid. Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid is a volunteer organization that helps Venezuelan migrants who fled their country and came to the U.S. The organization was previously featured on Tiempo a few years ago during the influex of asylum seekers, many of them from Venezuela. (Note: This episode of Tiempo was recorded prior to the capture of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a U.S. military operation on Saturday.) Also on our program, we talk to Dominican novelist Cleyvis Natera about her book "The Grand Paloma Resort." The book combines fast-paced suspense, class distinctions and colonial history in a memorable seven-day trip to La Republica Dominicana. The author dedicates the book to the workers. ad laborers who keep Caribbean tourism thriving. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss the findings of a new report on how arrests made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement may be disproportionately impacting the Latino community. A new report released by the New York Immigration Coalition finds that agents with ICE unfairly target Latinos. According to research from the coalition and the University of Colorado, nearly 3 in 4 people arrested by ICE agents are Latino. The report say approximately 70% of those arrested by ICE have no criminal conviction or previous record. The report also found that an increase in immigration enforcement makes it harder for businesses to hire workers and limits potential growth for those businesses. Joining us to discuss is Mario Bruzzone, vice president of policy at the New York Immigration Coalition. Also on our program, catching up with Queens Councilman Francisco Moya. The councilman joins us to discuss a new development that he pushed in Queens designed to bring affordable housing to the borough. Moya also gives us the latest updates on the new soccer stadium that will serve as the permanent home for the New York City Football Club (NYCFC). Naturally, we will ask him about the impact of the FIFA World Cup coming to our area next summer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we catch up with the Hispanic Federation about its goals for the new year and its latest initiatives to promote maternal health. The umbrella organization started in 1990 with a network of over 650 nonprofits. Its focus has always been to strengthen the Latino community through education, economic empowerment, immigration, health and much more. Speaking of health, the Hispanic Federation is encouraging women to sign up for free maternal health workshops and to showcase their plans for the new year. Joining us to discuss is Frankie Miranda, president of the Hispanic Federation, and Maria Lugo, senior director for health initiatives at the Hispanic Federation. Also on our program, we speak to Dominican novelist Cleyvis Natera about her book "The Grand Paloma Resort." The book combines face-paced suspense, class distinctions and colonial history in a breathless seven-day trip to La Republica Dominicana. The book is also dedicated to the workers and laborers who keep Caribbean tourism thriving. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we catch up with one local school that is on a mission to mentor the next generation of licensed caregivers. The Ideal School of Allied Health Care on Long Island prepares people for jobs like medical assistants and much more. The school offers classes in Spanish, and Tiempo has featured the institution before. The institution was founded more than a decade ago by a registered nurse who saw a shortage of caregivers, which impacts the quality of service for patients. School administrators collaborated with Local 1199 to create the Community Pathways Training Program. The program pays for nearly all the tuition at the school. Joining us to discuss is Nicole Laborde, CEO and founder of the Ideal School of Allied Health Care, and current students Karla Rubio and Leandro Rodriguez. Also on our program, more on "¡Wepa!: Puerto Ricans in the World of Comics." It's an exhibit that highlights the great Boricua legends in comics history. Three decades of comic book collections are currently on display at the New York Public Library. The exhibit is the largest collection of Puerto Rican comic book creators. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we learn more about a recent state-led international trade mission to Mexico by officials in New Jersey. Gov. Phil Murphy alongside the statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the nonprofit Choose New Jersey recently spent a three-day, business-oriented trip to Mexico. The mission focused on deepening economic, educational and cultural partnerships between the Garden State and Mexico. There are more than 2 million Latinos who live in New Jersey, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. Joining us to discuss the trip are Carlos Medina from the statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, and Mariana Diaz Nagore, head consul from the consulate of Mexico in New Brunswick. Also ahead, a return visit to the show by a Latina educator born and raised in the South Bronx. La Doctora Elaine Ruiz Lopez founded a charter school in the Bronx. She also wrote a book about the struggles and challenges she faced to open that school. The book has received lots of recognition and several prestigious awards. We catch up with Dr. Ruiz Lopez about her book coming up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss how one local nonprofit organization is helping families in need of food aid amid the government shutdown. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, has been put in jeopardy since the shutdown. The lapse in funding has put more pressure on food pantries and afterschool programs to alleviate hunger for students and families in underserved communities. In a major development last Wednesday night, President Donald Trump signed a funding bill ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The shutdown lasted 43 days. According to the latest data from Feeding America, about 1.4 million New Yorkers are facing food insecurity. The nonprofit New York Edge has food pantries and afterschool programs across the city to help with the ongoing issue of food insecurity. Joining us is Rachael Gazdick from New York Edge to discuss what the nonprofit has been doing to help during these tough times. Also on our program: We'll tell you about a new independent film, "The Veteran." The movie follows the story of a U.S. Marine who faces significant challenges after returning home from deployment in Afghanistan. The film tackles the many struggles veterans face after deployment overseas. We'll talk with the filmmaker about the work and its significance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss how one local higher education institution is supporting the diverse needs of its Latino student community. Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey has a dedicated center to help Latino and first-generation students. In fact, the Hispanic Center has been around for two decades. The center helps students take advantage of educational opportunities, with programs tailored to meet the diverse needs of Latino students. More than 20% of the student population is Latino at the school's Teaneck campus. Joining us to discuss is Irene Ojo, Luz Elena Flores and Arianne Alvarez from the Hispanic Center at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Also on our program, celebrating Puerto Rican pride. November is Puerto Rican Heritage Month, which honors the many contributions that Boricuas have made in the United States. To kick off the festivities, the Puerto Rican Institute for the Development of the Arts (PRIDA) has scheduled several special events. One of the events is the Puerto Rican Artisans and Authors Fair that celebrates 20 years. We speak with members of PRIDA about the organization and the special programming in honor of Puerto Rican Heritage Month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss a new poll that shows President Donald Trump's approval amongst Latinos has fallen since the beginning of 2025. According to an October 2025 poll by the Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, the president's favorability has significantly declined among Hispanic adults since he began his second term in January. The poll points to a drop on key issues like the economy and immigration, which were major factors in his 2024 election victory. The poll was conducted between October 9 and October 13. It samples more than 1,200 adults across the country, and nearly 380 participants identified as Hispanic. Joining us to discuss is Renata Castro, immigration attorney and founding member of the USA4ALL law firm. Castro says optimism among her Latino clients has changed. Also ahead, we catch up with the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. Tiempo has featured the organization many times, and now Catholic Charities has a new leader who is Latino himself. Catholic Charities is a national network of independent agencies that provide a wide range of support to people in need. We'll have more on the organization and hear from their new leader on this program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices