thousands of Mexican immigrants in the United States return to their places of origin in Mexico to reunite with their families for the holiday season Estimates suggest that over 20,000 Mexican immigrants are expected to cross the Texas border this December Most of them are traveling to the area surrounding Jalpan de Serra a municipality that serves as the access point to communities in the Sierra Gorda de Querétaro a region with high levels of migration to the U.S Many told the news agency EFE that traveling as a group makes them feel secure and at home an immigrant who has been traveling between the U.S told the news agency EFE that there is not a single moment when a person feels alone during the trip She also said the group is escorted by the National Guard “You must consider where you are going to depart from and the requirements to register but there is support staff all day long (…) It is a safe group tools and other items parade through the entrance to Jalpan de Serra to reunite with their loved ones who live in Mexico the migrants’ arrival to Mexico happened amidst recent statements by President-elect Donald Trump promising to carry out a massive deportation of irregular migrants in the U.S they may face challenges on their way back — Carmen Lilia Canturosas (@Carmenliliacrv) December 22, 2024 one of the organizers of the Christmas convoy told EFE that authorities on both sides of the country have consistently collaborated and supported efforts to protect the status of Mexican immigrants upon their return to the U.S One of those efforts is the mechanism of a sanctuary city A sanctuary city or state is a policy that discourages local authorities from reporting the immigration status of individuals unless it involves an investigation of a serious crime The city of Laredo was a sanctuary city until Governor Greg Abbott signed legislation banning sanctuary cities in Texas has always been willing and has made an effort to support us,” Olvera said meaning that it now prohibits the use of city resources to assist federal immigration enforcement in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s mass deportation plans counties and jurisdictions in the United States that are “sanctuaries” for migrants With reports from Debate and EFE  ADVERTISE WITH MND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES Subscription FAQ's Privacy Policy Mexico News Daily - Property of Tavana LLC We had entered the Sierra Gorda, a remote chain of mountains in northern Querétaro state. It is a region of steep mountain ridges, deep canyons and ravines, along with the only cloud forests in central Mexico. There are jaguars, black bears, river otters, spider monkeys and nearly 400 species of birds. Unfortunately, there also are frightening two-lane roads full of hairpin curves. I visited this region last June with Eleanore, a friend who has a degree in anthropology and enjoys traveling in Mexico as much as I do. We were in search of five Baroque churches, 18th century Franciscan missions that Father Junípero Serra founded in the Sierra Gorda before building missions in California. Our plan was to devote three days to the mission journey, driving from Mexico City to Querétaro, spending the night and venturing into the Sierra Gorda for two nights, returning to Querétaro the third day. Our driver was Rico, who has great patience, a calm demeanor and a tourist car stationed at a Zona Rosa hotel in Mexico City. He has been driving me, and family and friends, since I missed a Christmas Eve flight to Oaxaca in 1987, and he has spent many hours taking me about. Querétaro is a delightful Mexican colonial city, worthy of a three- or four-day stay, so it was a bit frustrating to be there only for a stopover. Mesón Santa Rosa, a favorite hotel, was booked, but we discovered the elegant La Casa de la Marquesa, in the heart of the old section. There were flowers on every table, and the room was palatial. In the remote Sierra Gorda, all military expeditions had failed and other religious orders had given up evangelizing. Slowly the indigenous people began to trust the Franciscans. Besides teaching them to plant crops and raise livestock, the friars instructed the women in spinning and weaving. They also taught catechism and singing and, with the help of native artisans, built five churches. All are in Romanesque style, with identical floor plans, but each facade is different, reflecting the skills of unknown craftsmen who worked with stone, mortar and paint, using not only religious symbols but also flower, animal, vegetable, fruit and shell motifs. The missions are still used as parish churches, open from early morning until dusk. The hotel turned out to be more pleasant than expected. The grounds are spacious, with inviting walking paths and horses grazing contentedly. The dining room and bar are in a restored 18th century section open to a lush garden. Ceiling fans and window screens kept the rooms comfortable. The next day we backtracked to Jalpan, taking a pretty stream-side drive. The other missions are about 20 miles apart and can be visited in any order. We chose to go to Landa, Tilaco and Tancoyol, return to Jalpan for lunch, and end the day at the mission in Concá. Roads are paved and well marked. The Franciscans were adept at selecting choice sites. In each case the church dominates the village, but in Tilaco, Misión de San Francisco de Asís is in an exceptionally idyllic setting. We were intrigued by the bull’s-eye above the door decorated with a shell framed by extraordinary curtains held open by two sturdy-looking angels. From the top section of the facade, a smiling St. Francis looks out over the valley. There was another change of scenery as we drove through a canyon to Tancoyol to visit Misión de Nuestra Señora de la Luz. Festive streamers suggested there had been, or was about to be, a celebration. The first thing we noticed on the ornate facade was an empty niche that, according to Eleanore’s notes, once held a statue of the Virgin Mary. The Virgin’s parents, St. Joachim and St. Anne, still stand in recesses on either side. Father Serra himself worked on this mission for 17 years. We had a late lunch at the Hotel Maria del Carmen in midtown Jalpan. The upstairs dining room is bright, clean and cheerful, with a backdrop of mountains beyond the town. The Aztec soup, guacamole and quesadillas were satisfying and the service efficient. After lunch I suggested we have another look at the Jalpan mission, having been so overwhelmed by our first church that I was sure we had missed something. Eleanore and Rico were easily persuaded to revisit. We found we had indeed missed several details, among them graceful pilasters, that we would have looked for if we had been more experienced mission visitors. We finished the tour by returning “home” to see Misión de San Miguel Arcángel in Concá, visible across the highway from the hotel. It is the smallest of the missions and the only one with extensive ceiling and wall painting. The Franciscan shield above the door, surrounded by acanthus leaves, is dramatic. Binoculars are necessary to make out an unusual treatment of the Holy Trinity atop the wall — three lighthearted young men visiting one another in a jovial manner. The buttresses beside the door are climbed by some sort of mythological monkeys. A waiter at the hotel suggested that we go by way of Río Verde to San Luis Potosí and then by toll road back to Querétaro. He described it as a lovely mountain drive that’s “gentler.” “I don’t want to go back to Mexico City,” Rico said as he pulled onto the highway. Eleanore and I agreed. We ate lunch in San Luis Potosí. Less than two hours after leaving there we had checked back into Mesón Santa Rosa, in the center of Querétaro, and were sitting in the courtyard with cool drinks. But the spell of another era lingered. Travel & Experiences California Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map The World Heritage Centre is at the forefront of the international community’s efforts to protect and preserve World Heritage partnerships for conservation Ensuring that World Heritage sites sustain their outstanding universal value is an increasingly challenging mission in today’s complex world where sites are vulnerable to the effects of uncontrolled urban development Our Partners Donate Take advantage of the search to browse through the World Heritage Centre information The five Franciscan missions of Sierra Gorda were built during the last phase of the conversion to Christianity of the interior of Mexico in the mid-18th century and became an important reference for the continuation of the evangelization of California The richly decorated church façades are of special interest as they represent an example of the joint creative efforts of the missionaries and the Indios The rural settlements that grew around the missions have retained their vernacular character Les cinq missions franciscaines de la Sierra Gorda ont été édifiées pendant la dernière phase d’évangélisation de l’intérieur des terres du Mexique (milieu du XVIIIe  siècle) et sont devenues une référence pour la poursuite de l’évangélisation de la Californie La façade richement ornée des églises est d’un intérêt tout particulier car elle représente un exemple des efforts créatifs conjoints des missionnaires et des Indios Les peuplements ruraux qui se sont développés à proximité des missions ont conservé leur caractère vernaculaire  تمّ انشاء البعثات الفرنسيسكانيّة الخمس في سييرا غوردا في المرحلة الاخيرة من التبشبر بالانجيل في داخل الأراضي المكسيكية (منتصف القرن الثامن عشر) وأصبحت هذه البعثات مرجعًا لمتابعة التبشير بالانجيل في كاليفورنيا وأريزونا وتكساس وكان للواجهة المزخرفة جدًا في الكنائس أهميّة خاصة لأنها تشكل مثالاً على الجهود الابداعية المشتركة التي قام بها المُرسلون والهنود كما حافظت المستوطنات الريفيّة التي تطورت على مقربة من البعثات، على طابعها المحلي 谢拉戈达的5座圣方济会修道院建于公元18世纪中期，它是基督徒最后传入墨西哥中部地区时建立的，同时，它也是基督教在加利福尼亚州、亚利桑那州和田纳西州传播的重要证据。教堂装饰华丽的外观展示了传教士与当地人非凡的创造力，教堂周围的乡村聚居地则保留着它们本身的地方特色。 Пять францисканских миссий в Сьерра-Горде были построены на последнем этапе обращения в христианство внутренних районов Мексики в середине XVIII в Они стали важным отправным пунктом для продолжения этого процесса в Калифорнии Богато украшенные фасады церквей представляют особый интерес являясь примером совместных созидательных усилий миссионеров и индейцев сохранили свой традиционный народный характер Las iglesias franciscanas de este sitio fueron edificadas a mediados del siglo XVIII durante la última fase de la evangelización del interior de México y se convirtieron en un elemento de referencia para la prosecución de la evangelización en California Sus fachadas ricamente ornamentadas ofrecen un interés particular porque son un ejemplo de la labor creadora conjunta de los indios y los misioneros Los poblados rurales creados en las cercanías de la misiones han conservado su carácter autóctono The Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Queretaro comprises five missions which were built in the 18th century during the last phase of the evangelisation of the interior of Mexico located in the mountainous Sierra Gorda region in central Mexico built 1751-58) and Nuestra Señora de la Luz de Tancoyol are located in the municipality of Jalpan de Sierra Santa Maria del Agua de Landa and San Francisco del Valle de Tilaco are in the municipality of Landa de Matamoros and the mission of San Miguel Concá is in the municipality of Arroyo Seco They witness the cultural coexistence between different social groups and their environment and became an important reference for the continuation of the evangelisation and colonisation of California in particular the richly decorated façades of the churches are a manifestation of the joint creative efforts of the missionaries and the existing indigenous groups resulting after an exchange of values and influences They are a testimony of the cultural coexistence between two societies and the natural environment The rich iconographic elements express the creative work and a faithful reflection of the spirituality and vision of both cultures The missions represent both architectural and artistic manifestations that are the most relevant within the Franciscan evangelist route that led to the conquest and evangelization of the northern area of Mexico They evidence the Franciscans’ perseverance and capacity to evangelize isolated ethnic groups who lived in inhospitable territories The emplacement as well as the formal characteristics and techniques used in the Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda are determined by three significant and unifying elements the urban layout and the religious complex Their position in the Sierra Gorda mountainous system generates a landscape interaction between the natural elements and the built ones These conditions were used as guidelines for the basic layout of those towns the missions were used as a way of organizing the local indigenous populations setting up an example of shared participation in the creation of a new system of urban arrangement and a building process The architecture of the missions is designed following a general pattern Their features are reminiscent of 16th-century convents Some features are also taken from Mexican Baroque art of the 17th and 18th centuries evidenced in the cross-shaped ground plan of the church and the use of lime plaster in the interior The Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda are a living heritage that preserves its structure its original use as religious centres of great importance in this area and are also cultural spaces that allow the reproduction and continuity of regional living traditions and shapes Criterion (ii) The Sierra Gorda Missions exhibit an important interchange of values in the process of evangelization of central and northern Mexico Criterion (iii) The five Sierra Gorda Missions bear witness to the cultural encounter of the European missions with the nomadic populations of central Mexico remaining a significant testimony to this second phase of evangelisation in North America The built religious complexes of the Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Queretaro preserve the composition of their original elements The mixed architecture of these monuments is the result of a new and singular architectural identity typical of this region which has been integrated with the surrounding landscape They were created as spaces for the religious cult and nowadays they are also used as a centre for diverse activities related to the culture of its inhabitants and its original characteristics have not been modified the protection of the setting is an important challenge to address in light of expansion of urban and rural sprawl The conditions of the authenticity of the Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Queretaro are substantiated by the tight link between these buildings and the characteristics and attributes of the natural environment as well as the originality diversity and opulence of the decorative language of the Mexican baroque as represented by the indigenous craftsmen in the facades The basic design criteria of such missions were already established in the 16th and 17th centuries While taking the main elements of the earlier schemes the Missions give a new interpretation to them in the vernacular context The aesthetic originality is in the external decoration of the churches which has strong indigenous component in the selection of themes and execution The buildings have faced a period of neglect Partly this was due to the renovation of the interiors in a sober neo-classical expression The recent restoration of the five missions was based on a thorough research and was carried out in an appropriate manner by qualified teams The historic stratifications and changes were duly respected It has also been possible to reveal and reintegrate the original polychrome colour schemes of the church façades the architectural planning as well as the layout the facades’ iconographic composition and the original materials used in the mission complexes have values that still exist The missions function goes beyond the idea of a space used merely for the representation of catholic ceremonies as it was and still is considered a milestone the centre of urban outlines and also the symbol of the community’s identity The legal protection of the Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Queretaro is granted through laws and existing legal standards at the federal These include the Constitution of the United Mexican States the General Law of Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection Archaeological and Artistic Monuments and Zones and the Constitution of the Free and Sovereign State of Querétaro de Arteaga The five towns and their Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda are delimited by main conservation areas and buffer zones controlled by State and Municipal jurisdictions There is a co-management scheme for the property that entails diverse authorities at the federal state and local level as well as the social groups The objective is to safeguard the monuments and the natural areas where they are located the surroundings of the human settlements and natural contexts regulated so that the integrity of the setting is maintained The restoration works have been carried out continuously as well as projects related to the improvement of the urban image of the localities There is a management plan for the property Plan for the Management and Conservation of the Franciscan Mission in the Sierra Gorda which makes provisions that take into account the idea that the historical monuments are part of the daily lives of the population and the territory where they are located; and have tight bonds with the surrounding human settlements and natural environment The intent is also to foster the operation of the cultural corridor; an instrument has been operating since 2005 and is implemented along with the Plan for the Management of the Natural Reserve of the Biosphere MAB Sierra Gorda it is necessary to consolidate the Commission for the Implementation of the Plan for the Management and Conservation of the Franciscan Mission in the Sierra Gorda and its Consulting Board to further systematize management endeavours and improve the monitoring of the site  where he picks up remittances from his brother in the United States money that pays three workers helping to build a family ranch Remittances “generate work in the communities,” Sanchez said (Photo by Maria Esquinca/Cronkite Borderlands Initiative) a line forms inside a pet store in this city of 22,000 in the highlands of the state of Queretaro But the people in line are not here to buy dog food The line begins at the back of the store and almost reaches the entrance passing under dangling dog leashes and horse reins It is here area residents receive their remittances Remittances are vital to the families and economies of small impoverished towns around Jalpan a picturesque city that has been gradually losing population since the mid-20th century as many residents have moved north to the U.S Remittances are also vital to the country as a whole The Bank of Mexico reported that these cash transfers surpassing oil as a source of foreign income the amount of money being sent to Mexico has picked up noticeably since the election of President Donald Trump who in January proposed funding the building of a border wall by blocking or taxing remittances The blocking of remittances would drastically change lives in Jalpan and the surrounding villages Jose Sanchez said about every 15 days he drives an hour and half from his hometown of Pinal de Amoles to the pet store in Jalpan to receive money his brother sends from the U.S The money helps pay the salary of three construction workers who are building a family ranch “If they (relatives in the U.S.) don’t work because sometimes they are the ones that generate work in the communities in the ranches that they’re from,” he said working in construction and picking oranges something you can earn in less than a day in the U.S “The difference is huge,” he said Mexico’s low wages lead the poorest in Mexico to do what Sanchez did—immigrate and remit to their home country For families that depend on remittances the money pays for daily necessities and grants them small luxuries—a new shirt you eat from your crop — poorly.” would affect the most vulnerable people in Mexico “The biggest impact would be that you would be taking money away from those most in need of it,” said Christopher Wilson deputy director of the Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars “It would be devastating for those families.” The National Population Council estimates that one out of 10 Mexican families “Who are those people who are sending money home It is the poorest of the poor,” said Hugo Cuevas Mohr director of the International Money Transfers Conference “Remittances help them just move a little bit Very few migrant families get out of poverty is an undocumented immigrant who has lived in Phoenix for 17 years He sends remittances every month to Mexico to pay off a bus he bought to start a family business His parents charge people for rides and the small profit they make is their income it is going to harm a lot of people and shake them up,” Daniel said His parents “depend 100 percent” on the money he sends A 2014 study from the Inter-American Development Bank found that remittances sent to Mexico provide economic sustenance for almost 20 percent of the country’s poorest (get remittances) me and my children wouldn’t have anything to eat,” said Marisela Zuñiga Ramirez a small village a few miles away from Jalpan holds her infant son while discussing the importance of remittances she receives from relatives in the U.S “me and my children wouldn’t have anything to eat,” she said Towns and villages around Jalpan and throughout the state of Queretaro rely heavily on remittances The Bank of Mexico reported that in 2015 families in Queretaro received $460 million from remittances said Jalpan has particularly benefited from remittances The city saw an economic transformation after people started migrating to work in the U.S “Due to money made by people in the U.S. the economic situation of households completely changed,” Berrones said and generally each household has three or four trucks.” He estimated that at least 60 percent of families in Jalpan have at least one relative who works in the U.S a resident of Jalpan who twice journeyed to the U.S said it’s very common among families in the area “Each family has two or three people that live in the U.S,” he said “If they don’t have brothers in the United States But he dropped out during his junior year to start working in the fields with his dad promising his wife he would return with their son “We always sent money to my mom,” he said recalling the amount was about $200 a week They saved enough money to return to Mexico but when Trejo was 22 because he couldn’t find work in Jalpan he worked alongside his brothers at a company that produced corn oil he sent money to his family in Mexico that was used to buy “groceries or to pay the doctor when his mother got sick he said he and his parents live simpler lives “We don’t eat a lot of meat,” he said “Sometimes we have to (satisfy) ourselves with vegetables.” Proposals to tax remittances didn’t begin with Trump Similar proposals can be traced back to as early as 2005 when conservatives in state legislatures began to introduce bills that targeted remittances sent by undocumented immigrants Proposals to levy fees on remittances from undocumented immigrants were introduced in California Nebraska and North Carolina – but all failed the Oklahoma legislature overwhelmingly approved HB 2250 “The Drug Money Laundering and Wire Transmitter Act,” which put a $5 flat fee on remittances plus an additional 1 percent fee on remittances over $500 The passage of the law drew the ire of money-transfer company officials “The Oklahoma government is using us to further their anti-immigration agenda and the war on drugs is their cover,” wrote David Landsman executive director of the National Money Transmitters Association in a report about the transmitter fee in Oklahoma Legislators in other states including Kansas have modeled bills after Oklahoma’s that have yet to become law One unique proposal introduced in 2011 by Mississippi Republican state Sen Joey Fillange would have put a $5 flat fee on remittances to create a fund to send money to states along the southern border to build a border fence Fillange said the idea to create a Border Fence Fund was given to him by a group called the Mississippi Patriots “(They) actually brought this idea to me I’m the conduit for it,” he said “They want to collect money to build a border wall to do what the federal government has failed to do talks about the impact remittances from the U.S which saw an economic transformation after people started migrating to work in the U.S (Photo by Katie Bieri/Cronkite Borderlands Initiative) Other proponents for taxing remittances argue that immigrants take money out of the U.S “means that money is not recirculated back into the US economy directly,” said Dan Stein president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform an organization that aims to reduce immigration to U.S “It winds up decreasing economic activity in the United States.” But others disagree with Stein’s premise “It’s an argument that will continue because it’s also politically charged,” said Cuevas Mohr of the International Money Transfer Conference “But I will say that remittances are important for both sides for the sending country and for the receiving country.” a senior fellow with the Peterson Institute for International Economics said that taxing remittances could not only impact families in Mexico but U.S She points out Mexico is the second largest consumer of U.S “you reduce their spending capacity and you reduce the ability that they have to buy goods from you,” de Bolle said “In the end it’s kind of an exercise where you’re shooting yourself in the foot.” Christopher Wilson of the Mexico Institute believes the impact taxing remittances would have on the U.S “There would be some impact … I don’t think we should exaggerate that though,” Wilson said “The reality is that Mexican consumers spend a vast majority of their income on goods that are produced domestically.” A tax on remittances also could lead people to find other ways of sending money home and avoiding the tax so it’s just going to drive money underground that’s what will happen if we tax individual remittances,” said Will Madden one of the largest money transfer companies in the U.S an app that allows users to send money to Mexico De Bolle said there are many ways people could get around the tax including giving cash to people traveling to Mexico and circumventing banks and transfer companies Some of those receiving and sending remittances agreed “If there isn’t a way to send electronically they’re going to keep bringing remittances through people that come and go,” said Trejo while buying an ice cream in the central square of Jalpan said immigrants aren’t worried about a tax on remittances because a neighbor” who can take cash to Mexico He said he has to send money to Mexico not only to finish paying off his bus but to buy medication for his dad who has diabetes and his mother who has vertigo if it’s cheaper to pay a friend who is going to Mexico to hand-carry the cash rather than remitting with a tax and Mexican families will keep receiving the money,” Daniel said It’s not clear how large a tax would have to be to drive immigrants to a black market The remittance fee in Oklahoma did not stop people from remitting to Mexico According to the state’s tax report in 2015 the state collected more than $11 million in taxes from remittances a small portion of their overall tax revenue are already using technology to make remitting cheaper “I think what we’re really excited about is just bringing down the cost of moving money and sending money home,” Madden said Bridge21’s app allows people to send money to Mexico by selling and buying bitcoins although the user never actually has to deal with bitcoins because the app does it for them Madden says the transaction can take as little as five minutes before it is deposited in Mexico and depending on the market price of bitcoins the cost of remitting through Bridge21 can be much cheaper than remitting through banks or wire companies who is in charge of business development at Bridge 21 said one of the company’s mottos is “money without borders.” “We turned the corner in how we transfer funds around the world and now there is a better option,” McCauley said I can sit here with my smartphone and send bitcoins anywhere around the world with an internet connection.” Trump has not followed through on his proposal to block remittances to Mexico But efforts to tax remittances at the federal level are already underway introduced HB 1813 or the Border Wall Funding Act of 2017 2 percent fee on remittances sent to Mexico and about 30 other countries The bill is currently sitting in committee Wilson doesn’t think such measures will pass because the U.S historically has favored free market principles and the movement of capital between countries without taxes has always argued against those types of measures so one of the impacts of putting a big tax on remittances would be that the U.S would lose some of its leverage in international relations on capital controls,” he said policymakers need to take into consideration the two countries’ economic relationship Mexico is the United States’ third largest trade partner with an estimated $583.6 billion in trade in 2015 according to the data from the Office of the United States Trade Representative the United States and Mexico are economic partners and policies that penalize either citizens or businesses across the border break down that partnership,” Wilson said If policymakers “had a deeper understanding of the U.S.-Mexico economic relationship then they would make better policy that strengthens that relationship Cronkite News is produced by the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University Staff members are listed here Learn more about what we do and how to find our content on our broadcast Find out how your news organization can use Cronkite News content Sign up for daily headlines [email protected] Creative Commons Privacy statement Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Sparks like blue, white and yellow fireworks on the Fourth of July flew from a stick rod as Rolmulo Resendiz welded pieces of pipe together. Resendiz will probably celebrate Independence Day practicing different welding procedures like he does every weekend, on every break at work and any extra time he has, preparing for the United Association Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders & Service Techs International Apprenticeship Competition, which will be at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Mich., in August. The 26-year-old Northport resident is the first person from Alabama to make it to the competition after winning at the state and regional levels. For two years, Resendiz, 26, has worked as a welder at Dixie Mechanical, a subcontractor of Local Union 372. As an apprentice with the union, he attends school on Saturdays, working his way to journeyman status. But if he had never come to the United States, Resendiz said he probably would have chosen a different career path. Resendiz, a legal immigrant, migrated from Jalpan de Serra, Mexico, to the United States in 2004 with his mother and three sisters, a word of English never rolling off his 16-year-old tongue. He said his father was working in the United States and decided to move the family here. His father had an accident five years ago and is disabled, Resendiz said. He and his youngest sister, who is a nurse, are now the providers for his family. “My dad brought us here. He brought us here for a better future. Everything is better here,” Resendiz said. He attended Northside High School and taught himself to speak English as well as any native. After high school, he said he worked for three years in air conditioning, when welding caught his attention. Resendiz obtained his two-year welding certificate from Shelton State Community College and began his apprenticeship. He said he likes welding because he likes building things and knowing it is done correctly. His training coordinator, William Marable, said he has three years of training as an apprentice left before he reaches journeyman status, but when he does, he won’t have any trouble finding a job because of his work ethic. “I was with him every day. He never missed work and was always on time,” Marable said. “Times are tough right now in Tuscaloosa. Construction has its highs and lows. The comment being made is, no matter how bad it gets, that kid’s not going anywhere. He will always have a job.” He said going to the competition will also ensure Resendiz will always have employment in the welding industry because of the contacts he will make, even if he doesn’t win. Out of about 300 training facilities in the U.S., Canada, Ireland and Australia, six people make it to the international competition, Marable said, and they only get to go once. “I really didn’t expect to go that far,” Resendiz said. “It’s going to help me a lot with my career and my future.” Resendiz said he got to the international competition because of his good attitude and mindset. “I always try to do my best and have a good attitude,” he said. “You always try to make the perfect weld. You never do it though. Even though it’s a good weld, and it passes X-ray and everything, you always think you can do better. “When I make the perfect weld, I’m going to retire.” Commentsउत्तर प्रदेश विधानसभा चुनाव में आज पहले चरण की वोटिंग है। सभी मतदाताओं से मेरा आग्रह है कि वे कोविड नियमों का पालन करते हुए लोकतंत्र के इस पावन पर्व में बढ़-चढ़कर हिस्सा लें। याद रखना है- पहले मतदान, फिर जलपान! Mexico – Organizers of central Mexico’s annual parade of tricked-out “trocas” say more migrants are returning to their homeland economic downturn didn’t hurt the 9th annual “Paisano Day” parade on Sunday when 94 pickups and SUVs turned out – more than double the average number of contestants in past years the meltdown is precisely the reason more migrants have come back and some are thinking of staying in their hometown while they wait out the tough times north of the border “The turnout increased because of the crisis – a lot of migrants are returning,” he said after the top prize of $1,000 was raffled off to Daniel Gutierrez who has spent the last 18 years working as a plumber in Miami custom-modified “trocas” migrants acquire in the United States – some with gull-wing doors pneumatic lifters and statues of the Virgin of Guadalupe Contestants parade the vehicles down Jalpan’s main road The spectacle reflects a fascination with large U.S vehicles that is widespread in this impoverished mountain region in the central state of Queretaro “Bringing a vehicle back from up there is a symbol that you’re earning good money an immigrant who spent 10 years in Atlanta Silva said that for young people in Jalpan To bring back a truck with a full sound system “Some of these trucks have 200,000 peso ($14,500) sound systems,” he noted daily wages in the region average $7 to $10 per day Local people don’t begrudge the migrants their success; instead many are worried they won’t return to the United States after the holidays – depriving the region of a key source of cash income the remittances they send back are what keeps this state afloat Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens © Copyright 2025, The Spokesman-Review | Community Guidelines | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy South Sudan won independence from Sudan in 2011 but descended into war in 2013 I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice South Sudanese activists are using music, poetry, theatre, comedy, dance and fashion to preach tolerance in the world's youngest nation which has been divided by years of civil war. South Sudan won independence from Sudan in 2011 but descended into war in 2013 after President Salva Kiir fired his deputy Riek Machar, unleashing a conflict that has spawned armed factions often along ethnic lines. Supporters on both sides, many of whom reside outside of the country due to the conflict, have taken the hostilities to the Internet, using Facebook and Twitter to take each other on with posts that are sometimes deemed hate speech. Enter Ana Taban, which means “I'm tired” in Arabic, a group of young musicians, fashion designers and poets who are using art and culture to demand peace in their homeland. “I hope for better serviced institutions, better opportunities for youth, a country where I don't need to be from a specific tribe,” said Ayak Chol Deng, 31, an epidemiologist, spoken word poet and activist who co-founded the group about a year ago. The group holds regular open-air performances around the capital Juba and in other towns to call for peace and to educate their fellow citizens on the need for a non-violent resolution of the conflict that has cost thousands of lives. Meen Mabior Meen, 30, a rap musician and founding member of Ana Taban, said it is a platform for the youth to tackle issues that can change the country. He spoke at his home in Juba, sitting next to the crib of his new-born child. Such powerful aspirations are also attracting people outside of the country to the group, at #Anataban, in order to play their role in encouraging peace. They include Abul Oyay, 30, a university student in neighbouring Kenya. Ana Taban's members do not limit themselves to theatrical performances. Bright murals with messages calling for peace, created by its members, can be seen on walls around Juba. “We are focused on bringing the country together, bringing people together. We are neutral, we are non-partisan,” said Jacob Bul Bior, 28, a radio and theatre actor. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Let me tell you one thing! Bengaluru is not only about dosa, bisi bele bath and filter coffee as the pop culture reference says. It will serve you probably every flavour of India north to south. So here is our list of 7 Best North Indian Restaurants in Bengaluru: Now that moving to Bengaluru has become the new cool, d ear North Indian buddies, you don’t have to fear missing out on your home flavours. Since Bengaluru never failed to treat its guests, it will definitely serve you the best verities of north Indian cuisine at any time. Craving for desi chaat, authentic pani puri or some mithai? Finding out the best, clean and cheap north Indian restaurants is somewhat tricky. But now, it’s just a matter of reading this article! So here is our list of 7 best north Indian restaurants in Bengaluru: Girdharilal Pareek (Girdhari Maharaj), a mithaiwala from Guwahati had an unstoppable quest for creating some “new and unique” sweets to satisfy his lovely customers. This led him to open his first sweet shop in 1945 in Guwahati, The Bharatiya Jalpan. Since its launch, Bharatiya Jalpan has been serving Mithai, Namkeenand Mewa of the highest quality to its customers. Having opened its multiple outlets in Bengaluru, It has in no time become the favourite North Indian restaurant in the city. With no compromise in the quality and taste, Bharathiya Jalpan is also known for its luxurious dining,Fancy Crowd and fulfilling menu. Are you looking for a perfect Dhaba to spend this weekend and have some amazing Punjabi delicacies? Bhatinda Junction is definitely the place for you. Started by three young and enthusiastic Punjabis with the objective of bringing desi style Dhaba and Theka to the beautiful city of Bangalore. With multiple stores across Bengaluru at BTM, HSR, and Koramangala it will mitigate all your cravings at once, whether it is veg, non-veg or dessert. The authentic Punjabi dishes served in generous quantities will leave you with a piece of home inside your stomach. Satisfy your hunger pangs by ordering the massive Punjabi Thali (Veg and Non-Veg) here which comes with Kadhi-Pakoda, Dal Makhni, Paneer Masala, Rice, Lachha Paratha and Butter Naan. Don’t worry if you are a vegetarian and want to explore verities of North Indian veggie delights, you haveKapoor’s Café known for its reasonably priced Punjabi food. The soft yellow lighting, beautifully painted walls, colourful charpoys for seating surely make you visit them more often. The Insta-worthy dining experience comes with vast verities of veg food, typical Punjabi cuisine amid North Indian decor with village-style beds & bolsters. we recommend you order Kapoor’s Special Veg Kabab, crispy Masala Papad, signature Lassi, Mushroom Masala and a delicious variety of parathas. Address: Multiple OutletsTimings:11 am to 11 pm Juice junction is not about juices only! It serves a range of food items such as juices, milkshakes, soups, noodles, sandwiches, north Indian, south Indian, Chinese, chats, coffee/tea, American sweet corn and frankie rolls. Specifically, the North Indian cuisines that they deliver is one of the best in Bengaluru. Founded in 1977 by Rajshekar Semith with his first, small juice shop in Koramangala 5th block, now it is spread over the entire city of Bengaluru with many outlets.  Juice junction is a synonym of tasty food with a prime focus on hygiene, quality, quantity and variety with total value for money. If you are craving some healthy food, which tastes like street food, it is a must-visit Address: Multiple OutletsTimings:10am – 10pm How about a fancy dinner with traditional Punjabi folk music playing in the background while you enjoy your delicious meal? When it comes to a fancy Punjabi dining experience, Punjab Grill is sure to impress you. Established in 2001 by Mr Amit Burman and Mr Rohit Aggarwal this topmost elite dining restaurant serves the best of North Indian delicacies for the foodies. Their Tandoori Soya Chaap, aromatic Tarkari Kesari Biryani, creamy Murg Lababdar, and the signature Meat Punjab Grill will make your belly happy. Timings:12 pm to 11:30 pmCost: ₹2,800 for two people (approx.) What if The Original Moti Mahal Delux from Daryaganj Delhi which serves Punjabi cuisine to the rest of the world comes to Bengaluru. It has! The Moti Mahal Delux in HSR Layout Bengaluru will surely make you feel at home. From tandoori chicken, butter chicken and dal makhani to succulent tender assorted Lehsuni Kebab and Kalmi Kebab, its vast menu and hospitality will fulfil all your belly needs. Address:331, Ground Floor, 27th Main, 2nd Stage, HSR, BangaloreTimings:11:30 am to 3:30 pm and 7 pm to 11 pmCost: ₹1000 for two Once you order a homely meal from Ghee and Turmeric, there’s no going back. Food made with desi ghee will never fail to grab the attention of a north Indian. Ghee and turmeric is a new age brand of Good-for-You food, that serves finger-licking good north Indian delicacy cooked in 100% Desi Ghee. It uses Honest Ingredients from high-quality brands, Authentic age-old Indian cooking methods like slow cooking, use of whole spices and Desi Ghee, which make the food they serve wholesome and tasty. Bolt currently partners with over 40,000 restaurants across the country providing an extensive menu of items within a 2km delivery radius it has also entered Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities like Roorkee The company also said there are no incentives for fast delivery it optimizes delivery speed by prioritizing those closest to the Bolt outlets It also includes local favorites like Gwalia Sweets in Ahmedabad Bhartiya Jalpan and Anand Sweets in Bengaluru The expansion comes as consumer expectations shift toward instant gratification with the rise of quick commerce Powered by EterPride | © 2025 AhmedabadMirror Ahmedabad Mirror is an award-winning city newspaper from Shayona Times Pvt A hyper local daily that is global in its approach We use cookies and personal data to enhance your experience and fund the production of content on our site. 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Cookie Policy The global market for pharmaceutical regulatory matters which was estimated to be worth $13.9 billion in 2022 is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 8.7 percent throughout the anticipated time frame As laws for the pharmaceutical industry become stricter and more complex The necessity for compliance with international standards emphasizing quality and safety as well as the growing complexity of regulatory regulations are the main drivers propelling the expansion of this market The pharmaceutical industry in India has shifted its focus to high-quality standards as a result of the public recognition of India's pharmaceutical production and export capabilities over the past ten years there has been an increase in demand for qualified and experienced auditors and businesses that provide services in quality compliance This has also become the driving wheel for expansion of the companies is one of the leading companies offering regulatory & supplier qualification auditing services for the pharmaceutical and medical device industry With expertise and knowledge of evaluation of all six systems Acuitty Consultant is offering solutions to manufacturers of FDFs Acuitty Consultant houses highly qualified auditors trained as per the requirements of stringent regulatory standards The firm’s global presence has further solidified the team’s knowledge allowing the auditors to have broader insights to cater to the unique needs of the customers “Our commitment to being ‘local at heart global in spirit’ further strengthens our understanding of diverse compliance requirements This strategic positioning not only grants us extensive local knowledge but also fosters a wide client base worldwide We are uniquely positioned to deliver exceptional regulatory compliance services with a global perspective We are committed to promoting sustainable practices in the pharmaceutical industry With a strong emphasis on transparency and accountability we are driving responsible sourcing and ethical supply chains we work towards a greener and more sustainable future for pharmaceuticals” Acuitty’s value system focuses on four core ideas of integrity meeting the globally applicable and acceptable standards in service by incorporating these practices into everyday functions A demonstrated ability and dedication to exceed customer expectations allow Acuitty to deliver outstanding results Acuitty Consultant offers comprehensive end-to-end solutions for regulatory compliance pertaining to the pharmaceutical industry The company is driven to offer high-quality results ensuring that the regulatory compliance standards are met Through continued support and guidance to the client Acuitty guarantees a seamless engagement process for sustainable solutions The team takes pride in its consistency of assigning the best auditors for each task the team is able to meet tight deadlines without compromising quality With risk-based decision-making being one of the primary components of regulatory consulting Acuitty follows a comprehensive three-step risk-based decision-making process which helps clients make informed decisions The three key steps to this method consist of pre-inspection assessments and post-audit corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) The pre-inspection audits allow the team to scout out potential risks The audits phase allows the team to evaluate multiple verticals like quality systems and actual practices which help to identify any potential threats which could impact patient safety is the phase where solutions to mitigate risks are implemented Acuitty’s USPs are its extensive network of experienced auditors as well as user-friendly technology platforms the team at Acuitty has the capacity to serve bespoke solutions to its diverse client base and lend continuous support to help clients meet their compliance obligations effectively The firm’s philosophy of ‘Simply we deliver unmatched solutions’ comes from the company’s overall culture and operational ideologies which make it stand out from the competition “Acuitty stands out from other consulting companies by being market segment agnostic We embrace collaborations with both emerging and global companies driven by our shared goal of ensuring a safer pharmaceutical market for all Our primary focus is on enhancing safety and compliance across the industry our culture promotes individual empowerment and encourages ownership and accountability Our company values are not just words on a wall; they drive our project delivery and the impactful solutions we provide” Acuitty brings extensive experience and diverse knowledge of regulatory obligations in various nations allowing the team to offer broader services to the global clientele Having already established a distinct identity from its competitors and standing at a separate plane Acuitty is anticipated to only grow in the coming years taking charge of the industry as a global leader With a strong dedication to quality compliance and a mission to streamline supplier qualification processes Jalpan set out to establish Acuitty Consultant Leveraging his industry expertise and innovative mindset he has successfully built a reputable consulting firm that is globally recognized and trusted by clients Jalpan remains proactive in driving the company forward guaranteeing its position as a leader in the industry by consistently offering comprehensive and dependable services to clients now a renowned brand in the Food and Beverage sector of Assam The brand that has dedicated itself to promoting authentic Assamese delicacies and food essentials started off as mere distribution of homemade food to friends recalls to Business Northeast how he use to distribute the food sent by his mother amongst his friends in Guwahati "I belong to a farmer's family from Tengapukhuri my mother used to send me all the homemade goods like komol saul and xandoh I used to share those with my friends and colleagues They would ask me for more and even enquired where I got those from," recalls Baruah "I used to ask my mother to send in larger quantities so I could sell it in the shops of Guwahati And when my friends asked me for more I would guide them to those shops This led to the idea of selling these indigenous Assamese goods in a commercial manner Baruah mentioned that his initial investment was just Rs.300 "My first investment has to be the Rs.300 which I spent on buying plastic packets from Fancy Bazaar for packaging the raw materials which my mother used to send me from Sibsagar And the demands kept on rising," said Baruah "Not only the Assamese people but non-Assamese people were also relishing the goods," he added Ajit Baruah managed to impress the District Industries Centre (DIC) with a project report of his venture With this Bhogali Jalpan started off by grinding rice and many other items were added and with this In 2007 as his demand for products increased he expanded his production to Bamunimaidan which he got as a lease from the state government "I received an industrial space of 1500 square feet from the government in Bamunimaidan but since the space was very small I and my employees were having quite a difficult time abiding by the industrial protocols set by the law," said Baruah Assam Small Industries Development Corporation (ASIDC) also offered Bhogali Jalpan a space in the food processing park in Chaygaon the brand started its second industrial unit in Chaygaon where he stumbled upon a lot of obstacles "We were the first brand to set up an industrial unit there and I spent my own money on getting those necessary minimal resources We didn't get any infrastructural support from the department" In 2011 he took a loan of Rs.65 Lakhs from the bank for setting up the industrial unit in Chaygaon Bhogali Jalpan has completed 25 years of popularising traditional Assamese food Bhogali Jalpan has become a pioneer in providing traditional Assamese materials for cooking He started by selling only two items and now they are selling more than 35 items They have also introduced two value-added products which are ready to eat 'Milky Jalpan' and 'Milky Xandoi' and can be served directly without any hassle by just adding lukewarm water From investing Rs.300 to a present turnover of more than Rs.6 Crore Bhogali Jalpan has come a long way in providing traditional Assamese food items which have also made our procurement of traditional raw materials easier ALSO READ : ASTEC creates a safe haven for entrepreneurs, innovators to protect against copyright infringements Design & Developed By Novo Computing