Immigration

Friday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m., the organization AIRE, the Alliance for Immigrant Respect and Education, will host a rally in downtown Springdale titled “Migration is Beautiful." Ozarks at Large’s Sophia Nourani reports.

On today's show, we explore the adoption of AI in daily work by small businesses. We also learn about Elana Ramage’s novel, which tells the story of a woman who aspires to be the first Cherokee astronaut. Plus, profiles from the Creative Exchange Fund.

Attorney General Tim Griffin says Fayetteville is ineligible for discretionary state funds after an incident involving state police and ICE. Mayor Molly Rawn says the city complies with Arkansas law.

Ketaki Deshpande, an instructor in the University of Arkansas’ Department of Communications and an immigrant from Mumbai, India, sits down with Ozarks at Large’s Bridget Baarlaer to share how her time in America has shaped her identity.

On today's show, the Lake Wedington National Recreation Area is finally being upgraded thanks to the help of HistoriCorps and Job Corps. Additionally, a University of Arkansas professor shares her story of moving to northwest Arkansas from India. Plus, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals are hosting a free youth baseball clinic later this month.

Tyson Foods is facing increased scrutiny around alleged workers rights violations both from activists and some of their own investors.

A proposal to enact harsher penalties on undocumented people convicted of crimes has passed a vote in the Arkansas Senate. Senate Bill 426 would add as many as 20 extra years of prison time to sentences of undocumented migrants convicted of some violent crimes.

Lawmakers advanced a bill to raise punishments for people who commit violent crimes based on immigration status on Monday. In addition to automatically increasing sentences for unauthorized migrants convicted of a violent crime, Senate Bill 426 would also require state and local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration officers and forbids cities and counties from adopting sanctuary policies.

A federal crackdown on undocumented migrants is having a ripple effect for people of color across the U.S. Parents of adopted children of color and foreign-born kids worry these new policies could leave their children vulnerable to targeting and racist attacks.

Recent shifts in immigration policy are creating some concern for parents of adopted children. On today's show, Ozarks at Large’s Daniel Caruth talks with parents and an adoption attorney. Also, we learn the growing importance of outdoor recreation for Arkansas’ economy. Plus, a rare bird is generating excitement in Carroll County.