The U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), of Agriculture, and of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) announced a joint “Border Community Capital Initiative” (Border Initiative), designed to increase access to capital in the U.S./Mexico border region which includes some of the poorest communities in the country. In the summit, titled “Forging a New Consensus on Immigrants and America,” which drew nearly 200 business owners from Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia, ended up on Tuesday, June 12, urging Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform. Village leaders unanimously rejected plans for a proposed detention center in Crete, outside of Chicago.

Federal initiative aimed to increase access to credit in border communities-  The U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), of Agriculture, and of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) announced a joint “Border Community Capital Initiative” (Border Initiative), designed to increase access to capital in the U.S./Mexico border region which includes some of the poorest communities in the country. The announcement is part of a series of initiatives delivered through the White House Rural Council to help create jobs and expand opportunities in rural communities.
“The three agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will offer up to $200,000 to nonprofit and/or tribal financial institutions serving colonias for direct investment and technical assistance focusing on affordable housing, small businesses, and community facilities.”

Business leaders demand an immigration reform-  Nearly 200 business owners from Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia, ended up on Tuesday, June 12, urging Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform during the  summit “Forging a New Consensus on Immigrants and America.”
“Summit organizers hope to hold such gatherings around the country to build up momentum for Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform, which would include tighter, more focused enforcement as well as a pathway to legalization for undocumented immigrants who meet a strict set of criteria.”

Chicago suburb rejects a detention center- Village leaders unanimously rejected plans for a proposed immigrant detention center in Crete, outside of Chicago.
“What remained unclear Tuesday was how federal authorities would proceed with their plans to build a detention center in the Chicago region for those being held on immigration violations.Immigration and Customs Enforcement has said it wants to build a more humane holding facility rather than use the crowded  McHenry County Jail.”