Iliana Santillán: From North Carolina to Mexico, the World Cup was a reminder of our humanity

by Beacon Media | Jul 29, 2026 | Latino Community

As the World Cup and the atmosphere around it has ended, it’s worth savoring the reminders it gave us. Iliana Santillán (front, left) sits was her father (right, middle) and friends before a World Cup game. By Iliana Santillán Beacon Media I went to Mexico this summer...

Iliana Santillán: In Georgia’s federal detention center, I saw the real immigration ‘crisis’

by Beacon Media | Jun 1, 2026 | Immigration, Latino Community

Traveling to the federal detention center in Stewart County, Georgia, Iliana Santillán attended the hearing of a friend and emerged with a greater understanding of those detained by ICE. By Iliana SantillánBeacon Media LUMPKIN, GEORGIA — The first thing I packed for...

Iliana Santillán: No one will make the Latino community invisible

by Beacon Media | May 15, 2026 | El Faro, Español, Latino Community, North Carolina Community, Uncategorized

As the Trump administration targets people under the guise of immigration enforcement, many Latinos in N.C. are celebrating our communities and culture — despite the fear. By Iliana Santillán Beacon Media Photo of La Grande Latin American Festival in...

Iliana Santillán: What we can all learn from Suzy Geronimo

by Beacon Media | Apr 7, 2026 | Latino Community, LGBTQ+

A transgender woman, Geronimo is a Henderson resident who has been detained by immigration authorities. Geronimo’s bold activism and standing in support of Latino and LGBTQ communities demands support from a broader community now, the author argues. By Iliana...

Iliana Santillán: This César Chavez Day, encouraging the whole truth 

by Beacon Media | Apr 1, 2026 | El Faro, Español, History, Immigration, Latino Community, North Carolina Community

After many came forward to tell stories of abuse at the hands of the celebrated Latino organizer of farmworkers, the author tells us how to honor this complex legacy.  By Iliana Santillán Beacon Media  A decade ago, when I was teaching fourth grade in Apex,...

Opinion: Restricting registration forms punishes North Carolina voters

by Beacon Media | Mar 11, 2026 | Black Community, Elections, Latino Community, Voting

By Kate Fellman You Can Vote Photo by Ernie Journeys on Unsplash Following a successful primary election with energetic voter participation all over the state, we expect voters to be even more eager to make their voice heard in the fall. North Carolinians have a...