CSUN On Point

Thousands of Central American migrants are traveling more than 2,500 miles to get to the United States, because for many, running away from their country is their only chance at survival. More than 7,000 Central American migrants stay in temporary shelters in border cities like Tijuana and Mexicali, where the shelters are overflowing. Hondurans, Guatemalans and Salvadorians are continuing to flee persecution, violence and poverty, even though they know arrival at the border doesn’t guarantee safety or freedom.

“There’re so many different factors going on [in Central America],” journalist Todd Miller said. “There’re so many people talking about not being able to make ends meet, and economic deprivation.”

But Central American migration to the north has always existed.

“This is not something new,” immigration attorney Raul Godinez said. “I think, with this administration’s focus on border control, there is more attention and publicity to the issue.”

In the past year, the so-called migrant caravan has made national news, and President Trump has been very vocal, in speeches and on social media, about the situation. Before the midterm elections, Trump ordered troops to Texas to stop what he called “an assault” by a caravan from Central America. In June 2018, Trump ordered border authorities to separate children from their parents at the border, a policy he eventually was forced to withdraw. Still, the family separations reportedly continue.

The White House says more than 2,600 children were detained, but reports from various agencies say more than 5,000 children were separated from their families, and some remain in government custody.

Corruption is one of the many reasons why the migrants say they feel unsafe in their home countries. Mexican Interior Minister Olga Sanchez said she understands, and wants to bring order to the borders, and provide the migrants with humanitarian aid, and the respect and dignity they deserve.

Immigration activists said they hear stories about the dangers of migrating to the U.S. all the time. “And what makes it worse, is the stories you don’t hear, because the person is too overwhelmed to tell you,” Godinez said.

“It can weeks or months of pushing to get the full details of it,” attorney Nathan Osorio said. “A lot of times they are going to give you a little bit [of their stories], and once they feel a little comfortable, they can process it more.”

But for many migrants, their hopes for life in the U.S. will not be met.

“We say that they encountered a narrative of hate, of racism, and discrimination,” CSUN Central American Studies Department Chair Professor Douglas Carranza said. “[This is] a narrative that must be changed… this country here was founded on a different principal: a list, that is evolving towards a more just society that would include everyone. But now we have a narrative of hate that has been elevated… and that [narrative] has ramifications in every aspect of our society.”

Moderator: Karissa Preciado

Producer: Coraima Hurtado

Anchor: Enrie Amezcua

Social Media Editor: Darya Hariri

Reporters: Gloria Alas, Enrie Amezcua, Chris Farias, Jamontae Hickman, Coraima Hurtado, Karissa Preciado

Video: Abril Preciado and Jose Duran

Cannabinoids, most commonly known as CBD products, are making their way into the consumer market, but questions continue to arise as to whether they are safe and legal.

New Frontier Data found that the $390 million market for all hemp products will triple by 2022. CVS and Walgreen have already announced they would begin selling hemp-derived CBD products in stores nationwide.

The products are gaining popularity after users reported they reduce anxiety and help with sleep issues. Some users believe CBD offers a natural alternative to drugs that relieve pain and treat anxiety, inflammation and depression.

The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 had made all hemp-derived products prohibited under federal law, but that ban ended with the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill lifted the federal ban, and allowed states to grow CBD products, which are extracted from cannabis and known as hemp. States that want to grow hemp products must apply and meet the requirements of the Agriculture Department.

Despite CBD’s increasing popularity, few scientific studies exist to prove its benefits, leaving many people confused about the difference between CBD and medical marijuana. CBD does not contain the THC component of marijuana, but some people, including some doctors, say they still have safety concerns.

“A lot of doctors kind of don’t know [what CBD can do] either, so they’ll discourage their patients,” said CBD entrepreneur Marissa Sanchez.

Sanchez said she started using CBD because she did not want to become dependent on prescribed medications for depression. She attended a CBD workshop at Feeling Groovy Wellness and Cafe, in Claremont, Calif., where she met CEO and Founder Nicole Lanni, and learned about the benefits of using CBD infused products.

“My overall well-being is much better, ” Lanni said. “Physically, I feel better. My skin is better. I think my relationships with people are better.”

Questions about the legality of products containing CBD oil still come up, despite how common they are in some cities.

States are allowed to ban CBD, despite it being legal now under federal law, and in states where CBD is produced legally, truck drivers may still be arrested for drug trafficking when trying to deliver it across state lines.

Still, proponents say its popularity will continue, especially because of its potential to help people.

“CBD can actually help people get off of other addictive substances,” Sanchez said.

Moderator: Chris Farias

Producer: Chris Farias

Anchor: Jamontae Hickman

Social Media Editor: Karissa Preciado

Reporters: Gloria Alas, Enrie Amezcua, Chris Farias, Darya Hariri, Jamontae Hickman, Coraima Hurtado, Karissa Preciado

For years, people have been buying personal care products and beauty products without really knowing what ingredients they may contain.

Most individuals continue to be unaware of what chemicals their lipstick , foundation, shampoo, deodorant, mascara, and other products contain, and how those chemicals could affect their health.

Eluxe Magazine reports the chemicals that are found most often in personal care products are mercury, lead, parabens, phthalates. Many people might believe the stuff they are putting on their skin is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, but it is not, at least not to the extent people might hope.

“If we are talking about personal care products, we are talking about thousands of compounds that our bodies are exposed to on a daily basis,” CSUN Chemistry and Biochemistry professor Gagik Melikyan said. “It is almost impossible to check for all them to the full extent, because we are talking about human resources and financial resources .”

Melikyan, who is the author of a book on the subject called Guilty Until Proven Innocent, said these chemicals can potentially disrupt hormone production and lead to miscarriage or infertility, and may cause cancer and skin irritation.

Women are the gender most affected because they buy more beauty products, but men are also vulnerable to the side affects of the personal care products they buy.

The variety of organic or vegan personal care products in the United States has been slim for many years, and some consumers of beauty products say that needs to change.

“It is also the consumer’s responsibility to educate themselves on these products,” said professional makeup artist Fabulous Jason.

Freelance make-up artist Betsy Rodriguez said purchasing new products for her clients has become difficult because some of them are fine using inorganic products, or just they prefer certain products whether they’re toxic or not. At the end of the day, many make-up artists need to make their clients happy.

“I was selling these products,” Rodriguez said, “and in order to sell these things, I had to put them on myself, and they weren’t working for me. I see these products, and I see these ingredients, and I [think], if I am not their side with [them], why should I [sell them?] — and yes, I stopped doing a lot of things.”

Moderator: Darya Hariri

Producer: Karissa Preciado

Anchor: Christopher Farias

Social Media Editor: Jamontae Hickman

Reporters: Gloria Alas, Enrie Amezcua, Christopher Farias, Darya Hariri, Jamontae Hickman, Coraima Hurtado and Karissa Preciado

It’s no secret that Los Angeles is one of most heavily congested cities in America. Traffic congestion, that is. According to INRIX, the average Los Angeles driver spends 102 hours stuck in traffic during rush hour.

Los Angeles also has an extensive public transportation system, L.A Metro, that  has been around for almost fifty years. Metro has worked over the years to plan and implement new projects to help traffic congestion. But a question that many drivers consider while sitting in gridlocked traffic is, how did we get to this point?

“One of the reasons includes the disparity between jobs and housing, [and the] balance [between] where people live, and where people work,” said Naresh Amatya, Southern California Association of Governments Transportation Manager. “[Others reasons are] just the sheer number of people who live in this region, and the fact that our infrastructure is really overburdened with the number of people that we have in the region.”

Although the traffic on highways, freeways, and side street detours seems worse everyday, Los Angeles is pushing for number one in terms of the public transportation system, and Metro has been promoting alternatives from walking to high speed rail. Metro has also approved the 28 by 28 plan: 28 projects planned to handle the needs of those attending the 2028 Olympics.

“It’s an effort to put some of the key projects [ahead] — not ahead of the commitment we made in Measure M — but to highlight them, in case there are additional resources that can help to move them forward,” said Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Metro Board Member. “So that in 28 by 2028, [for] both the Olympics and the Paralympics, that we will have a net of rail systems in place.” The plan is to bring in public-private partnerships in order to make the whole system work.

“In the San Fernando Valley, we are looking at the East San Fernando Valley light rail project,” said Dave Perry, Policy Deputy for County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, “[and at] the Sepulveda Pass, which is obviously a very big project, a very big deal for the thousands and thousands of commuters everyday that are going through the 405 corridor. There is North Hollywood to Pasadena BRT connecter. There’s a lot of great stuff in there.”

The Sepulveda Transit Corridor is going to provide a high capacity transit line to connect the San Fernando Valley with the West Side and ultimately with LAX. Metro is looking at various concepts and refining them. One of these concepts compares the 110 minute drive on the freeway through the Sepulveda Pass, to the 15-25 minute commute Metro is hoping to provide.

“Metro is trying to make a dramatic difference in people’s commute times,” Metro spokesperson Dave Sotero said.

Many people want to see these changes happen soon, over the next couple years.

“I think there are still a lot of places missing the amount of transit that they really need, and maybe more frequent service,” said CSUN Professor of Urban Studies and Planning Yvette Lopez-Ledesma. “This would encourage a movement towards more transit. It’s not just up to one agency to handle this; it’s really about several agencies.”

Public transportation will continue to grow in Los Angeles, but ultimately it is up to the public to make the decision to leave their cars at home, and decide between the comfort of their own cars or no traffic. It all comes down to safety and comfort as well.

“It’s not just about getting to the bus stop,” Lopez-Ledesma said. “It’s about what happens when you arrive at that bus stop. Is there shade? Are you protected? Do you feel safe?”

Moderator: Enrie Amezcua

Producer: Coraima Hurtado

Anchor: Gloria Alas

Social Media Editor: Karissa Preciado

Reporters: Gloria Alas, Enrie Amezcua, Christopher Farias, Darya Hariri, Jamontae Hickman, Coraima Hurtado, Karissa Preciado