Public Policy

MALDEF promotes social change through our advocacy work in the areas of education, employment, immigrants’ rights and political access.

Education

Testimony of Thomas A. Saenz President and General Counsel, MALDEF

Mar 18, 2026

Before the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government of the House Committee on the Judiciary

ILLINOIS GOV. JB PRITZKER SIGNS BILL PROTECTING EQUAL ACCESS TO PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR IMMIGRANT STUDENTS

Aug 15, 2025

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law a bill that would prohibit public schools from denying undocumented children a pre-K-12 public school education because of their actual or perceived immigration status Friday.

Employment

MALDEF STATEMENT ON PASSING OF LABOR LEADER RICHARD TRUMKA

Aug 5, 2021

LOS ANGELES – Please attribute the following statement on the death of longtime AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund:

MALDEF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CALIFORNIA BALLOT MEASURES

Oct 7, 2020

LOS ANGELES – MALDEF today released a set of recommended votes for California’s ballot measures.

Immigrants’ Rights

Testimony of Thomas A. Saenz President and General Counsel, MALDEF

Mar 18, 2026

Before the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government of the House Committee on the Judiciary

ILLINOIS GOV. J.B. PRITZKER SIGNS BILL PROTECTING SAFE ACCESS TO COURTS FOR ALL

Dec 9, 2025

CHICAGO, IL – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law the Court Access, Safety, and Participation Act, which prevents immigration officers and others from making civil arrests at courthouses in the state.

Voting Rights

MALDEF ISSUES RECOMMENDATIONS ON CALIFORNIA BALLOT MEASURES

Oct 30, 2024

Civil Rights Group Takes Positions on Propositions 2, 3, 5, 35, and 36

Hearing On “The Biden-Harris Border Crisis: Noncitizen Voting”

Sep 11, 2024

Testimony of Andrea E. Senteno Regional Counsel, MALDEF

Access to Justice

MALDEF Letter to the U.S. Senate opposing the “Laken Riley Act” as “misguided”

Jan 9, 2025

Today MALDEF sent a letter to the United States Senate opposing Senate Bill 5 known as the “Laken Riley Act”

MALDEF STATEMENT ON THE NOMINATION OF TWO LATINAS TO FEDERAL COURTS OF APPEAL

Apr 14, 2023

LOS ANGELES – Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) issued the statement below in response to President Biden’s nomination of two sitting judges to federal courts of appeals, including the first Latina to serve on the U.S Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Freedom From Open and Obvious Bias and Racism

MALDEF STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT DECISION TO ALLOW ICE TO USE RACIAL PROFILING IN LOS ANGELES

Sep 8, 2025

LOS ANGELES – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted court-ordered restrictions on immigration stops by federal agents in Los Angeles.

MALDEF STATEMENT ON THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EL PASO MASS MURDER

Aug 3, 2024

(LOS ANGELES) – Please attribute the statement below marking the fifth anniversary of the mass shooting in El Paso to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund).

Help protect and promote the civil rights of the Latino community and the future for all Americans.

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Public Policy

Education

Testimony of Thomas A. Saenz President and General Counsel, MALDEF

ILLINOIS GOV. JB PRITZKER SIGNS BILL PROTECTING EQUAL ACCESS TO PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR IMMIGRANT STUDENTS

Employment

MALDEF STATEMENT ON PASSING OF LABOR LEADER RICHARD TRUMKA

MALDEF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CALIFORNIA BALLOT MEASURES

Immigrants’ Rights

Testimony of Thomas A. Saenz President and General Counsel, MALDEF

ILLINOIS GOV. J.B. PRITZKER SIGNS BILL PROTECTING SAFE ACCESS TO COURTS FOR ALL

Voting Rights

MALDEF ISSUES RECOMMENDATIONS ON CALIFORNIA BALLOT MEASURES

Hearing On “The Biden-Harris Border Crisis: Noncitizen Voting”

Access to Justice

MALDEF Letter to the U.S. Senate opposing the “Laken Riley Act” as “misguided”

MALDEF STATEMENT ON THE NOMINATION OF TWO LATINAS TO FEDERAL COURTS OF APPEAL

Freedom From Open and Obvious Bias and Racism

MALDEF STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT DECISION TO ALLOW ICE TO USE RACIAL PROFILING IN LOS ANGELES

MALDEF STATEMENT ON THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EL PASO MASS MURDER

Help protect and promote the civil rights of the Latino community and the future for all Americans.

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