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El Trompudo Impact to our Community

Welcome to the newest edition of Riqueza Weekly, a newsletter created for the people by the people, or what we like to say pa la gente.

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RQZA MEDIA
February 28, 2025

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Welcome to the newest edition of Riqueza Weekly, a newsletter created for the people by the people, or what we like to say pa la gente. RQZA Weekly, is your go-to source for the latest in money, power, and cultura. As we welcome our newest arm Riqueza Media, we wanted to have a place to chismear pero con educaciĂłn. Our people need the education to understand what is going on around the U.S. y en todo Latino AmĂŠrica. Lo que pasa acĂĄ, nos afecta allĂĄ y viceversa. Expect to read content on business, finances, economics, higher-ed, policy and everything in between.

Want to be a contributor? Apply below 👇🏼

This week, we’re talking about:

  • 🔌 Economic Blackouts & Boycotts – How grassroots movements are using economic power to challenge corporations and political elites.

  • 💰 Tax Refund Delays? – Trump’s cuts to the IRS could slow down your tax refund.

  • 🏡 More Help for First-Time Homebuyers – Michigan is now offering $25,000 in down payment assistance. Is your state next?

  • 📉 Immigration Crackdowns & Business Decline – Latino communities are feeling the economic impact of Trump’s enforcement policies.

  • ⚖️ The Immigration Court Backlog Just Got Worse – With judges being fired and legal services for migrant children cut off, what’s next for our community?

  • 🗳️ Why Local Politics Matter More Than Ever – The policies shaping your neighborhood, schools, and cost of living start at home.

  • 🎓 The Student Loan Crisis Deepens – Trump just cut off all income-driven repayment plans. What does this mean for borrowers?

  • 💼 Federal Research Under Attack – A $900M budget cut threatens key education data. Who benefits from this move?

  • 📢 Dreamers & First-Gens Are Leaving the U.S. – Facing uncertainty, many are preparing financial exits to Mexico for stability.

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The Rundown: Business, Economics & Finances

This Friday, February 28, grassroots organization The People's Union USA is calling for a 24-hour economic blackout, urging people not to spend money as an act of protest against billionaires, big corporations, and both major political parties. The movement also includes weeklong boycotts of major retailers like Walmart, Amazon, NestlĂŠ, and General Mills.

Other activists and faith leaders are organizing Target boycotts in response to the company rolling back DEI initiatives, with a 40-day boycott launching on March 5 for Lent. Meanwhile, Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network is planning corporate boycotts targeting companies that have abandoned DEI commitments.

Experts are divided on the long-term impact of these actions, but organizers believe Friday’s blackout will send a message about economic power and consumer influence. Will you be participating?

Is your Tax Refund Check at risk? President Trump’s plan to reduce the federal workforce is hitting the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Right in the middle of tax season, about 6,700 IRS employees are set to get laid off. Will this cause a delay in your tax refund? It is unclear, but plan for it. Former President Biden, had initially expanded the IRS workforce to not only improve enforcement but provide faster, stream-lined service. Now, President Trump is reversing that. Therefore, plan for slower processing times.

Another state to offer down payment assistance! Michigan has joined other states in offering a downpayment assistance program (DPA) for first-generation homebuyers. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) is offering up to $25,000 as down payment assistance. They join California, in providing pathways to homeownership. Don’t live in these states? Most states have similar down payment assistance programs.

Since Trump ramped up immigration enforcement, many Latino communities have seen a sharp decline in business activity because people are scared to go out. Small business owners, especially in food and retail, say customers are staying home to avoid potential immigration raids. This fear isn’t just hurting businesses—it’s also affecting families, with many worried about deportation and separation. Even U.S. citizens in these communities are changing their routines to avoid unnecessary risks, showing just how deeply these policies are impacting everyday life for documented AND undocumented communities.

The Receipts: Policy & Immigration

Donald Trump GIF by CBS News

Gif by cbsnews on Giphy

If you thought the wait to adjust your immigration status was long before—buckle up, porque se puso peor. Trump’s administration just fired at least 20 immigration judges, slashing the already overwhelmed system and making it even harder for people to “do it the right way.” With a record-breaking 3.2 million pending cases, this move guarantees even longer delays, more uncertainty, and higher risks of deportation for immigrants waiting on their day in court.

What does this mean for you?

  • If you or someone you know has an immigration case pending, expect major delays—there simply aren’t enough judges to handle the backlog.

  • More judges could be fired, making things even worse.

  • This is part of a larger pattern of cutbacks targeting immigration services, affecting everything from asylum applications to work permits.

The message is clear: legal pathways are being intentionally blocked, delayed, and dismantled. Pero aquĂ­ seguimos, keeping you informed and making sure our comunidad knows their rights.

The government just cut off legal services for unaccompanied migrant kids, leaving thousands to face immigration court alone. These are children—some as young as two—expected to navigate a complicated legal system without help. Advocacy groups are speaking out! Organizations like Al Otro Lado are warning that this puts them at even greater risk of deportation and exploitation. Despite the funding freeze, some legal teams are determined to keep fighting for these kids. This move is part of a larger effort to limit immigration and has sparked outrage from immigrant rights advocates.

One of the biggest concerns our community faced when Trump took office on January 20, 2025 was an executive order to end birthright citizenship. Para los que pensaron que no nos iban atacar de esta manera, well… that was one of the first things el trompudo did. What does this mean?

🚨 If your parents weren’t legal residents or citizens at the time of your birth, this could mean your U.S. citizenship isn’t automatically recognized.

🚨 The government is ordering agencies like the State Department & Homeland Security not to issue U.S. citizenship documents to people impacted by this rule.

🚨 This applies to babies born 30+ days after this order—so this is shaping the future, fast.

Thank Diosito and U.S. District Judge Joseph N. Laplante who blocked this executive order and named it unconstitutional. It was recently blocked again in the appeals court, again praise the lord, the 14th amendment is still in tact.

The Power of Showing Up: Why Your Voice Matters in Your Community

After weeks of executive orders and policy shifts dominating the news, it’s easy to feel like we have no control over what’s happening around us. But Reed Galen, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, reminds us that real change starts at home. Grassroots engagement—connecting with your neighbors, attending local meetings, and voting in every election—is how we reclaim our power and shape the future we want to see.

Why Local Decisions Matter: The Funding Gap

Think politics doesn’t affect your daily life? Many critical programs are underfunded, leaving vulnerable communities without essential support. Consider this:

  • Schools: Who decides school funding, curriculum, and access to resources? Your local school board. Schools in lower-income neighborhoods often lack updated materials, technology, and extracurricular opportunities.

  • Transportation & Infrastructure: Public transit, road repairs, and affordable housing initiatives are determined at the city and state level. Failing roads, limited public transit, and outdated utilities impact millions daily.

  • Public Safety & Healthcare: The policies that shape policing, emergency services, and community programs are set locally. Community clinics and mental health services need consistent funding to serve those most in need.

  • Cost of Living and Affordable Housing: Economic policies—like tariffs or tax laws—can increase prices on everyday necessities, hitting working-class families the hardest. As rent and home prices rise, many families struggle to find stable, affordable homes.

“These decisions aren’t made by ‘politicians in DC’—they happen right in your own backyard,” Galen says. “If we don’t get involved, we let others shape our communities for us.” Galen warns that policy shifts—like cutting federal funding for low-income schools—could make these issues worse. “These programs lift communities up. If we don’t fight for them, they’ll disappear,” he says.

Engagement Matters—No Matter Your Politics

It’s easy to feel powerless in today’s divided climate, but disengagement only gives more control to those already in power. Staying involved keeps leaders accountable and ensures policies work for everyday people:

How You Can Make a Difference

Engagement doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here’s where to start:

  1. Stay informed: Follow local news and attend city meetings.

  2. Vote—Every Election Counts: Local elections shape your daily life even more than national ones.

  3. Speak Up: Contact representatives and advocate for issues that matter to you.

  4. Volunteer: Support local nonprofits, mentor youth, or join advocacy groups.

  5. Start Conversations: Engaging with people outside your perspective helps create real change.

Take the First Step

Democracy isn’t just about Washington—it’s about your neighborhood, your school, and your local economy. You don’t need to be a political expert to make an impact. You just need to show up.

So, where will you start?

Higher- Ed, Higher Stakes: Academia & Education

Educate Public School GIF by Creative Courage

Gif by creative-courage on Giphy

The Trump administration just shut down access to all Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans and Direct Loan Consolidation, aka the lifeline that keeps millions of borrowers from drowning in student debt on February 21, 2025.

🔎 WTF Just Happened?

  • The 8th Circuit Court ruled against the SAVE Plan (a Biden-era student loan relief program).

  • Instead of just blocking SAVE, the Trump administration went all in and pulled every single IDR plan from the website.

  • This means millions of borrowers now have no way to lower their payments—even those who were eligible for $0 monthly payments.

📌 Why This Is a Big Deal:

🚨 Borrowers who depend on IDR to afford payments are being left with no options.

🚨 Public service workers—like teachers and nurses—who need IDR for loan forgiveness are stuck.

🚨 This is happening at the same time Trump is slashing government jobs and gutting protections like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (which literally protects us from financial scams).

Could an Executive Order Eliminate the Department of Education?

If you’ve been hearing chatter about Trump eliminating the Department of Education (DOE), you’re not alone. But can a president actually do that with the stroke of a pen? Not exactly.

According to NBC, only Congress has the power to create or dismantle federal agencies. Yet, Trump’s education agenda remains clear: more “school choice,” aka the push for school vouchers, less federal oversight, and a return of education policy to the states. What would this mean for states like California? CalMatters notes that states already make most decisions about schools, with federal funding comprising only about “8% of overall education budgets”—most of which supports high-poverty districts. The looming concern? Disruptions to special education and Title I funding for low-income students. While special education programs would likely be reassigned to another federal agency, Project 2025—a conservative policy roadmap—calls for phasing out Title I altogether.

Meanwhile, Trump and his allies—including the “tech bro” squad (Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and others)—are steering education policy toward STEM, AI, and apprenticeships. This shift raises questions about immigration: Could cutting H-1B visas for international students be part of a broader plan to control who benefits from America’s tech boom?

On the financial front, student loan forgiveness is another battleground. While McMahon pledged to uphold the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, she also claimed she would improve upon Betsy DeVos’s abysmal record under Trump, where only 3% of PSLF applications were approved. In contrast, the Biden administration has forgiven millions of loans, a stark difference that highlights how policy implementation can shape borrowers’ financial futures. Yet, the broader Republican stance on student debt relief remains murky.

A Federal Research Agency Loses $900M—What’s at Stake?

In an unprecedented move, a federal research agency tracking student progress is facing nearly $900 million in budget cuts. These cuts—pushed by Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—have halted studies on childhood literacy, long-term student success, and support for youth with disabilities.

The government is invoking a clause allowing it to end research contracts “for its convenience.” But whose convenience, exactly? Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) is sounding the alarm, calling the cuts a direct attack on data-driven education policy.

If this has you thinking about your student loans, take action now. Screenshot everything—your loan details, PSLF status, and payment history. Policies shift fast, and what’s available today could be gone tomorrow.

A Brighter Note: FAFSA & Pell Grants Are Safe—For Now

Good news for students applying for FAFSA: Pell Grants and federal loans are not affected by the funding freeze. CNBC reports that despite the rocky FAFSA rollout in 2023, the program remains intact. And even if the DOE were eliminated, experts believe another agency—perhaps the Department of Treasury—would take over Pell Grant distribution.

For now, your student aid is safe. But the bigger question remains: Who controls the future of education in America? The fight isn’t just about bureaucracy—it’s about access, equity, and whose interests are really being served.

Pa’ Que Sepas: Noticias

Wealthy Beyond Money: Community y Cultura

These Foos in Medicine are breaking barriers just by showing up! 🙌🏽 As brown Latino men with tattoos, their presence alone challenges stereotypes and makes medicine more accessible for communities often left out of the conversation. Representation matters, and seeing them in this space is activism in itself—proving that healthcare should reflect and serve all people. Keep pushing boundaries and making space! 💪🏽🔥

@foosinmedicine

We’re Foos in Medicine

Shoutout to BLUSH, the bath and body brand standing up for the immigrant community! 🧼✨ They’ve put up a bold ‘ICE Free Zone’ sign on their door and renamed their products with powerful messages of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Let’s show them some love and support businesses that stand for justice!

@cchristine99

fight back only with kindness💙 @LUSH keep doing ur thing #dei #ice #lush #immigrant #creatorsearchinsights #massfollowing🔥🔥 #blackhistorymonth

With the current political climate in the U.S., many 'Dreamers' and first-gen individuals are making the difficult decision to move to Mexico in search of stability. The urgency to leave has never been greater, and many are already making financial moves to prepare for the transition. From saving and liquidating assets to setting up bank accounts and securing residency, they are strategically planning their next steps:

Rulebreakers: Voices of Resistance & Change

Knowledge is power—share it ✊🏽,

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Pa’ la gente, by la gente.

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