MALDEF STATEMENT ON APPOINTMENT OF FORMER LEADER OF ANTI-IMMIGRANT GROUP TO HELP ESTABLISH DETENTION OVERSIGHT OFFICE

(LOS ANGELES) – Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) issued the following statement in response to a news report that Julie Kirchner, a former leader of FAIR, an anti-immigrant hate group, has been appointed to establish an ombudsman office that handles complaints of civil rights violations in immigration detention centers:

MALDEF TESTIFIES BEFORE CONGRESS ON STRENGTHENING VOTING RIGHTS PROTECTIONS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives of leading civil rights organizations testified in two U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee hearings yesterday about the need to expand and strengthen the federal Voting Rights Act (VRA) and to address other elections-related concerns. MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz was among those testifying.

MALDEF Marks Anniversary of DACA By Urging U.S. Senate to Pass the Dream and Promise Act

LOS ANGELES – Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) issued the following statement today, marking the seventh anniversary of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an initiative that allows undocumented youth to live, study and work in the U.S. MALDEF urges the U.S. Senate to adopt the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019. The measure would provide a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders and is crucial to the future of our nation:

MALDEF Statement on Passing of California Latino Activist and Advocate Nativo Lopez  

LOS ANGELES – Please attribute the following statement marking the passing of Nativo Lopez, an outspoken activist who established the Santa Ana chapter of Hermandad Mexicana National and spoke out on behalf of immigrants’ rights, to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of  MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):