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Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

All content by Andrés Rodriguez
Senior metallurgical engineering major Fabian Alvarez smokes a cigarette after leaving campus.

[Photo] Liberal arts majors smoke the most, according to study

Luis Barrio, Staff Reporter November 18, 2014

Senior metallurgical engineering major Fabian Alvarez smokes a cigarette after leaving campus.

A 100 year name game

Andres Rodriguez, Contributor September 9, 2014

The university name has undergone several changes since it was first established in 1913 as the State School of Miners and Metallurgy. Some changes and some attempts at changing the name have been accidental, technical and outright funny—there was a...

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A first for minorities at the Oscars

A first for minorities at the Oscars

Andrés Rodríguez, Copy Editor March 4, 2014

We’re not all racists, it turns out. At least not according to Oscar host Ellen DeGeneres, who quipped during the opening ceremony Sunday night that either “12 Years a Slave” wins Best Picture or “you’re all racists.” This was the first...

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In El Paso, support for Venezuelan protesters grows

In El Paso, support for Venezuelan protesters grows

Andrés Rodríguez, Copy editor February 20, 2014

Angela Garcia left Venezuela for the U.S. three years ago. As a college student in her home country, she fought for freedom of speech and human rights, something she’s seeing slip away as violent protests continue to escalate. Garcia, a senior business...

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On male feminism

On male feminism

Andrés Rodríguez, Copy Editor February 11, 2014

One of the things I remember most vividly after coming out was being asked by my father if I wanted to be a woman. He hardly gave me time to answer. He simply followed it with a more assertive question: “You aren’t dressing up as a girl, right?” That...

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A screenshot of the site Cuidadodesalud.gov. The Spanish language site went live Friday after its launch was delayed several times.

Healthcare.gov isn’t touting ‘se habla español’ just yet

Andres Rodriguez, Scripps Howard Foundation Wire December 10, 2013

WASHINGTON – Spanish-speakers wishing to sign up for health care haven’t had much luck online, but they are still trying – on the phone and with the help of interpreters. After its launch was delayed several times, Cuidadodesalud.gov – the...

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The push to get minorities into STEM fields

Andrés Rodríguez, SHFWire Reporter December 3, 2013

WASHINGTON – After graduating from high school, Crystal Brockington plans to pursue a degree in biology or chemistry. She knows that, as a black woman, she’s part of the minority of students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and...

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Immigration reform supporters give their blessing Tuesday to people who are fasting in tents on the National Mall near the Capitol. Five volunteers have committed to fasting for an immigration reform bill that includes to citizenship

Democrats, faith groups make last push for immigration reform this year

Andres Rodriguez, Scripps Howard Foundation Wire Reporter November 16, 2013

WASHINGTON– Members of Congress, along with faith and labor groups, are making one last push to pass comprehensive immigration reform by the end of the year, despite warnings that the House leadership has no plans to cooperate. At a Nov.13 press...

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Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, says an inquiry into visa overstays that he sent to the Department of Homeland Security in July wasn’t answered until Wednesday. DHS is scheduled to publish visa overstay rates by the end of the year.

Homeland Security pressed to release visa overstay statistics

Andrés Rodríguez, SHFWire Reporter November 15, 2013

WASHINGTON – Members of Congress are demanding answers to the lack of data available on visa overstays in the U.S., which they say could lead to more informed decisions on comprehensive immigration reform. However, the Department of Homeland Security isn’t...

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Georgette Washington, better known as Jeremy Raush, poses with spectators Tuesday after the 17th Street High Heel Race. In its 27th year, the race draws politicians and hundreds of spectators to the Dupont Circle neighborhood.

Racers ‘work it’ for the 17th Street High Heel Race

Andres Rodriguez and Zahra Farah October 31, 2013

WASHINGTON – They came in high heels, big dresses and even bigger hair. http://youtu.be/bNaY_5oMOVA Hundreds of racers in drag or wild costumes sprinted and strutted down 17th Street NW Oct. 29 in the 27th annual High Heel Race. They paraded from...

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El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser was in Washington D.C. For the Association of the U.S Army expo, where he met with military contractors.

El Paso mayor and Chamber of Commerce call for regional military partnerships

Andres Rodriguez, Scripps Howard Foundation Wire Reporter October 26, 2013

WASHINGTON– Regional military partnerships were at the top of the agenda for El Paso business and city government officials as they visited the nation’s capital this week. Members of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce attended the Association...

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The Army Ten Miler runners make their way to the finish line Sunday morning. Nearly 35,000 runners were registered to run the annual race.

Two third-place finishes for Fort Bliss at Army Ten Miler

Andrés Rodríguez, SHFWire Reporter October 22, 2013

ARLINGTON, Va. - The Fort Bliss men’s and women’s teams finished third Oct. 20 at the Army Ten Miler. Spc. Japheth Ng’Ojoy, 25, clocked the men’s team fastest time at 52:15 and 1st Lt. Jasmin Branch, 24, finished first for the women’s team...

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National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis says his decision to close parks was due to a concern for the safety and security of the parks. Jarvis was subpoenaed to speak Wednesday at a House committee hearing.

National Park Service under fire on Hill for park closures

Andrés Rodríguez, SHFWire reporter October 16, 2013

WASHINGTON – The National Park Service defended its decision to close hundreds of parks during the government shutdown, after coming under fire Wednesday from House Republicans who called the service’s actions “disgusting and despicable.” National...

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Budget cuts could sink Captain Phillips’ ship

Budget cuts could sink Captain Phillips’ ship

Andrés Rodríguez, SHFWire reporter October 15, 2013

WASHINGTON – Capt. Richard Phillips, whose 2009 kidnapping by Somali pirates is depicted in Tom Hanks’ new movie, warned Thursday that budget cuts could eliminate one-third of the U.S. ships used to transport military cargo. Phillips’ ship,...

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Human rights activist and lawyer, Gustavo de la Rosa, says Wednesday that the organizing of the citizenry, not politicians, is bringing down murder rates and violations of human rights in Ciudad Juárez. He spoke at the Inter-American Dialogue event on the state of human rights in the city.

New administration, new hope for human rights in Juárez

Andres Rodriguez, Scripps Howard Foundation Wire Reporter October 9, 2013

WASHINGTON – A member of the Security and Justice Board in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico said Wednesday that mayor-elect Enrique Serrano has sought admittance into the board. This would be a first for the mayor’s administration, Gustavo de la Rosa, an...

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Close to 15,000 people rally for comprehensive immigration reform Tuesday at the National Mall. The march ended in front of the Capitol where officials say about 200 were arrested in an act of civil disobedience.

Thousands rally for immigration reform at National Mall, hundreds arrested

Andrés Rodriguez, SHFWire Reporter October 8, 2013

WASHINGTON – Hoping to pressure Congress into passing immigration reform, close to 15,000 protesters marched Tuesday from the National Mall to the Capitol steps, where a number of democratic congressmen and activists were arrested in an act of civil...

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Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., says Wednesday the time for immigration reform is now. Pelosi, along with a group of Democratic members of Congress, including Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., left, unveiled their immigration reform bill at a news conference.

House Democrats unveil immigration reform proposal

Andrés Rodríguez, SHFWire reporter October 2, 2013

WASHINGTON – Democratic House members unveiled a new immigration reform bill Wednesday and called on Republicans to act now on comprehensive reform. “The time is now to pass comprehensive immigration reform,” Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., said....

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Congressional Hispanic Caucus freshman representatives talk Tuesday about their first year in Congress. They expressed their concern about the government shutdown. From left, Democratic Reps. Tony Cárdenas, Calif.; Joaquin Castro, Texas; Joe Garcia, Fla., and Michelle Lujan Grisham, N.M.

[Photo] Congressional Hispanic Caucus House members decry shutdown

October 1, 2013

Congressional Hispanic Caucus freshman representatives talk Tuesday about their first year in Congress. They expressed their concern about the government shutdown. From left, Democratic Reps. Tony Cárdenas, Calif.; Joaquin Castro, Texas; Joe Garcia,...

Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, questions the value and costs of the biometric exit system at a hearing Thursday. Department of Homeland Security officials estimate upward of $3 billion for the exit system

Biometric plan to track entry, exit of foreign visitors won’t be ready until 2015

Andrés Rodríguez, SHFWire Reporter September 30, 2013

WASHINGTON – The number of foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas in the U.S. remains unknown, and Congress is pressuring the Department of Homeland Security for a solution. Under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of...

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Mayor Vincent C. Gray released a statement Wednesday explaining his decision to declare district government operations essential during a shutdown. Pictured above is his office on Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

In case of shutdown, emergency bill would keep D.C. running

Andres Rodriguez, SHFWire reporter September 25, 2013

WASHINGTON – The District of Colombia plans to take matters into its own hands to prevent city services from closing if the federal government shuts down on Tuesday. The D.C. Council has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, in which it plans to introduce...

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President Barack Obama speaks at a memorial service held at the Marine Barracks, attended by about 4,000 people.

‘Our tears are not enough:’ Obama speaks at Navy Yard Shooting memorial

Andrés Rodríguez, SHFWire Reporter September 24, 2013

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama counted five communities he has consoled after mass shootings and called on Americans to seek changes to prevent more tragedies. He spoke Sunday at a memorial service for those who died Sept. 16 at the Navy Yard. About...

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Rosa Martha Zárate Macías, coordinator of the group of activists and former migrant laborers, says Thursday the Mexican government withheld 10 percent of migrant laborer’s earnings in savings accounts. The group ended their U.S stay in front of the White House.

Migrant workers’ march across U.S. for back pay ends in D.C

Andrés Rodríguez, SHFWire reporter September 20, 2013

WASHINGTON – A group of elderly migrant laborers ended a cross-country protest Thursday outside the White House, hoping the U.S. would prod Mexico to pay money owed to them for work they did decades ago. “We want Washington and the whole world...

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Workshop with a beat presents Latin music at White House

Andrés Rodríguez, SHFWire reporter September 18, 2013

WASHINGTON - A group of middle and high school students were serenaded to the tune of “La Bamba” Monday at the White House by some of the biggest names in Latin music, as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. The 130 students from around the D.C. area...

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Mexico’s Ambassador to the U.S., Eduardo Medina Mora, says Friday that Mexicans are overwhelmingly misrepresented in Hollywood. The ambassador said at a press conference that Mexico is awaiting word on possible spying on Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto by the NSA. SHFWire photo by Andrés Rodriguez

Mexican ambassador: U.S. perception of Mexico needs to change

Andrés Rodriguez, SHFWire Reporter September 13, 2013

WASHINGTON – Mexican actor Demian Bichir has played a gardener and a drug dealer, two professions that Mexico’s ambassador to the U.S. said Friday need to stop being linked to his country. “Mexicans in the silver screen are usually portrayed...

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Mexico’s Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam, right, says crime in Mexico has decreased noticeably due changes in the judicial system. Duncan Wood, director of the Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center, moderated the discussion Tuesday. SHFWire photo by Andrés Rodriguez

Mexico’s attorney general briefs U.S. audience on judicial reform

Andrés Rodriguez, SHFWire Reporter September 10, 2013

WASHINGTON -  Mexico’s Attorney General said Tuesday that his country has begun to see “efficient results” as it continues to enforce judicial reform. Jésus Murillo Karam, who was appointed attorney general late last year, cited the capture...

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