In The Community
Tamales = Power
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It's true! When you make the tamales, you hold the power. One wrong move from your family members, especially your siblings, and they're cut off. No one wants that, so you can bet they'll be on their best behavior around you.
Latino Parents Be Like...
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Enough said! If you ever heard these words out of your mom and dad's mouth, you were done messing around, crying, or whatever else.
Spending the Night at Grandma's
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When it comes to sleepovers where the entire family is involved, you just have to make do. But these are some of the best childhood memories Latinos have. Sharing a room with all your cousins when you stayed at grandma's house was a great time.
Mexican Kids Be Like...
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There's no party like a Mexican party, like a Latino party. This is a characteristic we share across the board. Latinos will not end a party at 12 am, that's when they start!
Switching to Spanish
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Being an espectator in an argument between Latino relatives is the best reality you could ever ask for. And when they switch from English to Spanish, you know things are about to go CRAZY.
Mexican Fortune Cookies
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If fortune cookies were Latino, there wouldn't be any of these sweet, generic phrases. You would get some tough, tough love. From Mexico to Venezuela and anything in between, Latinos tend to be very no non-sense about life.
The Ever-Present Comal
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For Mexicans, it's the comal, but Latinos across Latin America have that one piece cookware that just never leaves the stove. You never know when you'll need to heat up some tortillas, arepas, pupusas, you name it!
Vicks VapoRub Is All We Need
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Truly no one is as devouted to Vicks VapoRub as Latinos are. It's good for everything. Do you have a little cough? Rub some on your chest. Is your nose a little stuffy? You know what to do. What about your muscles? Are they sore? A little Vicks VapoRub can go a long way.
Cinco de Mayo Looks Real Different in Mexico
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Cinco de Mayo is often mistaken as Mexican Independence Day, but that's not actually true. Mexican Independence Day is September 16. While it does have some significance in Mexico's history, Cinco de Mayo isn't a national holiday in Mexico.
Latina Moms Be Like...
Found on Google
When your Latina mom was mad at you, logic left the chat. She could simultaneously ask for explanations and be offended when you tried to speak up. Sometimes it's best to just take your L and keep it moving.
Sleeping in Chairs
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If you never slept on a couple of chairs pushed together as a kid, you missed out on a core Latino experience. Weddings, quinceañeras, graduation parties, etc., they weren't over until all the adults were done having fun, and that usually didn't happen until the next early morning. So when you got sleepy, you had to make do.
Going Barefoot = Sickness
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This is something shared by most Latina moms, not just Mexican moms! Being barefoot around the house as a kid was just out of the question, but that's what made it so attractive.
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Artistic rendering, not an actual photograph
While human migration has long been a topic of debate along the southern border, especially in recent times due to the flurry of immigration executive orders, the border wall has also created an unexpected barrier for wildlife. The construction of the wall and its surrounding infrastructure has altered ecosystems, affecting species that rely on transboundary movement.
Monarchs may not face a direct physical blockade, but their migratory pathways are increasingly threatened by the loss of milkweed and other essential habitats. Just as political policies shape human migration, environmental disruptions are redefining the monarchs’ journey.
The Science Behind Monarch Migration
Photo by Dennis Yu on UnsplashThe monarch butterfly’s migration is a multi-generational process. Each year, the butterflies that overwinter in Mexico begin their northward journey in late February or early March. The first generation travels only as far as Texas and Oklahoma, where they lay eggs on milkweed plants because their primary role is to reproduce. The next generation hatches, matures, and continues the migration northward, with successive generations reaching as far as southern Canada.
By late summer, the final generation reverses course, making the extraordinary, single-generation journey back to Mexico, where they cluster in oyamel fir forests for the winter. Unlike the multi-generational northward journey, this last generation of monarchs migrates back to Mexico alone between August and October. They arrive in Mexico around November and stay there until March when the cycle starts again.
Monarchs navigate using a time-compensated sun compass. This complex system allows them to adjust their flight patterns based on the sun’s position throughout the day. Monarchs are also sensitive to environmental cues like temperature, which helps regulate their migration cycles. Scientists have long warned that disruptions to these natural processes—whether from climate change, habitat loss, or human infrastructure—could put their survival at risk.
The Ecological Importance of Monarch Migration
Photo by Azaz Ahmad on UnsplashMonarch butterflies play a crucial role in North American ecosystems. As pollinators, they contribute to the reproduction of wildflowers and crops, supporting agricultural production. Approximately 35% of the world’s food crops depend on pollinators like monarchs to produce, and the forests where monarchs overwinter provide ecological benefits like improved water quality and maintaining biodiversity.
Their migration is also full of cultural and symbolic meaning, particularly in Mexico and Latino communities across the U.S. The monarch’s annual arrival in Mexico coincides with Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) where Latino families see them as spiritual messengers carrying the souls of the departed.
The Border Wall and Its Impact on Monarchs
Photo by Greg Bulla on UnsplashThe U.S.-Mexico border wall, which has been built in segments over the last several decades and expanded significantly between 2017 and 2021 during President-Elect Donald Trump’s first term, was designed to curb unauthorized human migration. However, it has also had ecological consequences, disrupting the habitats of many species that migrate between the two countries.
For monarch butterflies, the wall itself is not a direct obstacle—they can fly over it. However, the destruction of milkweed and nectar-rich plants along the border poses a significant threat. Monarchs lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed, making it essential for their reproduction. Habitat loss in critical areas like Texas, Arizona, and northern Mexico—where the first generation of monarchs emerges each spring—can disrupt the entire migration cycle.
The construction of the wall has also led to widespread deforestation and habitat fragmentation, affecting not only monarchs but also other migratory species such as the jaguar, ocelot, and Mexican gray wolf. The clearing of land, installation of bright lights, and increased vehicle traffic along the border further alter the natural environment, making survival more difficult for a wide range of species.
The Ecological Consequences of Disrupting Monarch Migration
Photo by giovanni cordioli on UnsplashScientists warn that disruptions to monarch migration could have cascading effects on ecosystems. In 2022, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed monarch butterflies as endangered due to habitat destruction and climate change. Monarch decline would reduce pollination, which could impact plant populations and the broader food web. If milkweed continues to disappear, monarch populations could struggle to sustain themselves, leading to a further risk of population decline.
The border wall has also exacerbated climate-related challenges in the region. By altering natural water flows and increasing soil erosion, the wall contributes to desertification, which makes it harder for milkweed and other native plants to thrive. These environmental changes threaten the biodiversity of the borderlands, making it difficult for wildlife—including monarchs—to adapt.
Conservation Efforts and the Future of Monarchs
Photo by Alex Guillaume on UnsplashDespite these challenges, there is some good news for monarch butterflies. In 2025, the eastern monarch population nearly doubled, demonstrating that conservation efforts can be effective. The population of monarchs wintering in Mexico occupied 4.42 acres, an increase from the 2.22 acres they occupied the previous winter. Scientists and activists are working to protect monarch habitats by planting milkweed, restoring grasslands, and reducing pesticide use.
Organizations in the U.S. and Mexico are advocating for transboundary conservation initiatives to ensure that monarchs can continue migrating without further disruptions. These efforts include designating protected corridors, planting pollinator-friendly vegetation along highways and farmlands, and raising awareness about the importance of monarch conservation.
Even so, addressing the ecological impact of the border wall will require ongoing collaboration. Scientists have urged policymakers to incorporate wildlife-friendly designs into border infrastructure, such as wildlife corridors or modified fencing that allows small animals to pass through. While some areas along the border remain protected, the fragmentation caused by the wall underscores the need for comprehensive conservation strategies that consider both human and wildlife migration.
Conclusion: The Resilience of Migration
a group of monarch butterflies on a treePhoto by Erika Löwe on UnsplashAs monarch butterflies prepare for their March 2025 migration, their journey is often perceived as a symbol of resilience. Despite the obstacles they face, monarchs continue their ancient cycle, adapt to changing environments, and navigate long distances to sustain future generations.
Migration—whether for butterflies or people—is a natural and essential process. Just as monarchs rely on open pathways to survive, human migration has shaped the cultural and economic landscapes of the U.S. and Mexico for centuries. As scientists and conservationists work to preserve monarch habitats, the broader discussion about how borders impact both wildlife and people remains an important issue.
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TPS Was Created as a Humanitarian Measure
Photo by Tom Fisk
TPS was established under the Immigration Act of 1990 as a way for the U.S. to provide humanitarian relief to people from countries experiencing extreme conditions, like armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances that make returning home unsafe. The idea is simple: if a country is going through a crisis, its citizens already in the U.S. shouldn’t be forced to return to danger.
Not Just Anyone Can Apply
Photo by Leeloo The First
To qualify for TPS, an individual must be a national of a country designated for TPS and must have been continuously present in the U.S. since a specific cutoff date. There’s also a designated registration period during which eligible individuals must apply. Simply being from a country in crisis isn’t enough, you have to meet strict guidelines and deadlines.
It Protects People from Deportation
David Peinado Romero - Shutterstock
One of the biggest benefits of TPS is that it protects recipients from deportation while their status is active. That means TPS holders cannot be removed from the U.S. simply because their home country is in turmoil. This protection gives people the stability they need to work, live, and contribute to their communities without fear of being sent back to dangerous conditions.
TPS Holders Can Work Legally in the U.S.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
TPS doesn’t just keep people safe, it also allows them to support themselves. TPS recipients can apply for work authorization, meaning they can get jobs, pay taxes, and fully participate in the economy. Some even open businesses, buy homes, and become integral parts of their communities.
The U.S. Government Decides Which Countries Qualify
Photo by Samuel Schroth on UnsplashThe Secretary of Homeland Security decides which countries qualify for TPS. This decision is made in consultation with other government agencies and is based on conditions in the home country. Once a country is designated for TPS, the decision can't be challenged in court and it’s entirely up to the U.S. government.
It’s Temporary, But Can Be Renewed
Photo by Emanuel Ekström on UnsplashTPS is not a permanent immigration status. It’s granted for 6, 12, or 18 months at a time, and the U.S. government must reassess conditions in the home country before deciding whether to extend the designation. If the crisis continues, TPS can be renewed, but if the government decides the situation has improved, TPS holders may have to return home or find another legal status to remain in the U.S.
TPS Doesn't Lead to Citizenship
Photo by Global Residence Index on UnsplashDespite being a lifeline for many, TPS does not provide a direct path to permanent residency or U.S. citizenship. It is strictly a temporary status meant to protect people until their home country stabilizes. However, some TPS holders may be able to adjust their status through family sponsorship, employment-based visas, or other immigration relief programs.
Hundreds of Thousands of People Rely on TPS
Photo by Owen Cannon on UnsplashAs of March 2024, around 863,880 people in the U.S. were living under TPS protections. Many of them have built their lives here, with long-standing ties to their communities. States with large TPS populations include Florida, Texas, and California, where recipients contribute to the economy and workforce.
Multiple Countries Have TPS Designation
Photo by Kyle Glenn on UnsplashTPS is currently granted to individuals from several countries, including Haiti, El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. While these designations change over time, they reflect ongoing crises that make returning unsafe for people from these nations.
TPS Holders Go Through Security Screenings
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya
Applying for TPS isn’t a free pass. Recipients must pass background checks and security screenings every time they renew their status, which is usually every 18 months. The process includes fingerprinting and background checks to ensure that recipients do not pose a security risk.
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