SAN ANTONIO, TX – Today, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) strongly criticized Texas school districts seeking to exclude students from enrollment based on allegations that the students do not reside within school district boundaries. MALDEF and TRLA are working to inform parents, students and educators of the legal rights of students attending public schools in Texas and the state and local requirements that school districts must adhere to governing student enrollment.
Public Policy
New Report Highlights Latina Students Face Greater Challenges Than Counterparts
Listening to Latinas: Barriers to High School Graduation
Judge Sotomayor’s Confirmation is a Victory for the Country and the High Court
Thomas A. Saenz, Counsel to Los Angeles Mayor, Named MALDEF President and General Counsel
MALDEF to Stream Sotomayor Confirmation Hearing Live
MALDEF and Sodexo Partner to Bring Health and Wellness Initiative to Chicago Neighborhoods
Latino Hate Crime Death Deserves Justice
Federal Hate Crimes Legislation Passes House of Representatives
Immigration Reform Dialogue Resumes Today at Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing
MALDEF Condemns Anti-Immigrant Murders in Florida
WASHINGTON, DC – In the early hours of February 26, Dannie Baker, a 60-year-old Florida resident, left his townhouse armed with a rifle, walked across the complex to a neighboring unit, and opened fire on a quiet gathering of young, unsuspecting Latino residents in Miramar Beach. When the rampage ceased, two individuals were found dead, and three others critically injured. All five victims were Chilean students participating in a foreign exchange program.
Hate Crimes
In July of 2008, 25-year old Luis Ramirez lost his life after he was knocked unconscious and kicked in the head by a group of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania teenagers who yelled racial epithets before and during the brutal beating. In November, 37-year old Marcelo Lucero was ferociously beaten and fatally stabbed in Long Island, New York by a group of teenagers who hunted him down simply for being Latino. Only a month later, we mourned the murder in Brooklyn, New York of Jose Osvaldo Sucuzhañay, whose life was violently taken by a group of people, and whose crime, according to witnesses, was motivated by hate-filled bigotry.
Economic Recovery
As the nation passes through a difficult economic period, MALDEF has worked closely with our partners in the civil rights community to address many of the challenges facing Latino workers and families. For Latinos, the economic downturn has been especially difficult as families struggle to keep their homes and workers are being laid off with limited opportunities for future employment. The challenges ahead will not be easy and MALDEF will work with partners in Congress and the Obama Administration to ensure that full economic recovery reaches the Latino community.