Defending DACA

The Trump administration tried to shut down DACA. MALDEF is helping ensure its continuation. We’re proud to represent DACA recipients in court.

Our History

MALDEF has been fighting for Latino civil rights since 1968. Our battle for the nation’s ideals and America's future continues.

Scholarships

Our free Scholarship Resource Guide is packed with information for students, parents and teachers on applying for scholarships.

Defending DACA

The Trump administration tried to shut down DACA. MALDEF is helping ensure its continuation. We’re proud to represent DACA recipients in court.

Our History

MALDEF has been fighting for Latino civil rights since 1968. Our battle for the nation’s ideals and America's future continues.

Scholarships

Our free Scholarship Resource Guide is packed with information for students, parents and teachers on applying for scholarships.

Recent News

MALDEF MOURNS THE PASSING OF FORMER MALDEF ATTORNEY AND BOARD MEMBER DRUCILLA STENDER RAMEY

by | Aug 11, 2026 | Press Releases And Other Statements | 0 Comments

LOS ANGELES—MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) mourns the passing of Drucilla “Dru” Stender Ramey, a pioneering civil rights attorney, legal...

MALDEF MOURNS THE PASSING OF FORMER BOARD MEMBER AND CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE DR. GILBERTO CÁRDENAS

by | Jul 28, 2026 | Plyler v. Doe, Press Releases And Other Statements, Public Policy: Education | 0 Comments

LOS ANGELES —MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) mourns the passing of Dr. Gilberto Cárdenas, a distinguished sociologist, educator, civil...

MALDEF AND MUNICIPAL CREDIT UNION RESOLVE LAWSUIT

by | Jul 23, 2026 | Court Cases Immigrants' Rights, DACA, Press Releases And Other Statements | 0 Comments

A recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) who challenged the denial of an automobile loan by a New York credit union has reached a confidential...

MALDEF STATEMENT ON FIFTH CIRCUIT RULING TO DENY STUDENTS’ REQUEST TO DEFEND TEXAS DREAM ACT

by | Jul 10, 2026 | Court Cases Education, Press Releases And Other Statements, Tuition | 0 Comments

LOS ANGELES – On Thursday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld a district court ruling that denied immigrant students in Texas the opportunity to...

MALDEF CHALLENGES REDISTRICTING MAP IN CITY OF GREELEY, CO

by | Jul 7, 2026 | Press Releases And Other Statements, Redistricting, Voting Rights | 0 Comments

SAN ANTONIO—A Latino civil rights organization is suing the City of Greeley, Colorado, and its officials over the City Council redistricting map because it violates the...

MALDEF SEEKS TO INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS TO DEFEND KANSAS TUITION POLICY

by | Jul 2, 2026 | Court Cases Education, Press Releases And Other Statements, Tuition | 0 Comments

KANSAS CITY, KS — A Latino civil rights organization filed a motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit seeking to eliminate regular tuition for students without lawful...

MALDEF SUES NORTH CAROLINA FINANCIAL INSTITUTION AND TULSA DEALERSHIP FOR DISCRIMINATORY LENDING PRACTICES

by | Jun 22, 2026 | Court Cases Immigrants' Rights, DACA, Press Releases And Other Statements | 0 Comments

LOS ANGELES — A Latino civil rights organization filed a lawsuit Thursday against a North Carolina financial institution and a Tulsa, Oklahoma motorcycle dealership for...

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY SUED AGAIN FOR DISCRIMINATING AGAINST IMMIGRANT POTENTIAL TENANTS

by | Jun 19, 2026 | Court Cases Immigrants' Rights, Press Releases And Other Statements | 0 Comments

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Latino civil rights group is suing a Pennsylvania-based property management company for denying two Egyptian women access to rental units based solely...

MALDEF HONORS LEADERS ADVANCING LATINO CIVIL RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY AT CHICAGO AWARDS GALA

by | Jun 19, 2026 | Events, Press Releases And Other Statements | 0 Comments

CHICAGO – MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) paid tribute on June 11 to three leaders who have dedicated their careers to promoting and...

About MALDEF

MALDEF is the nation’s leading Latino legal civil rights organization. Our commitment is to protect and defend the rights of all Latinos living in the United States and the constitutional rights of all Americans.

Working Towards Justice

Areas of Work

Education
Employment
Immigrants’ Rights
Voting Rights
Access to Justice
freedom from open and obvious bias and racism