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 a bipartisan Senate vote today rejecting Donald J. Trump’s unlawful emergency declaration at the Southwestern border. A similar resolution passed the House of Representatives last month.
Public Policy
MALDEF Statement in Support of the Dream and Promise Act
Washington, D.C. – Lawmakers have introduced HR 6 – the Dream and Promise Act of 2019 – a bill that would provide a humane and sensible path to legalization for immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and currently have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, (DACA), as well as those granted Deferred Enforcement Departure (DED) and Temporary Protected Status, (TPS) because of civil war or natural disasters in their home countries.
MALDEF Statement on Trump’s Unconstitutional Declaration of a State of Emergency
Districting Plan Proposed by School District in San Diego County Perpetuates Voting Rights Violations, MALDEF Warns
LOS ANGELES – A districting plan under consideration by an elementary school district in northern San Diego County must be rejected because it does not ensure Latinos a sufficient opportunity to elect candidates of their choice in the next election, MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) warned in a letter sent to district officials today.
MALDEF Statement on Trump’s Nativist Speech Falsely Claiming ‘Crisis’ at Southern Border
MALDEF STATEMENT ON GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN RESULTING FROM TRUMP’S TANTRUM OVER BORDER WALL
LOS ANGELES – Please attribute the following statement on the partial shutdown of the federal government resulting from Donald Trump’s petulant demand for an unnecessary wall along the southern border to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):
MALDEF STATEMENT ON PASSING OF SOUTHWEST VOTER REGISTRATION EDUCATION PROJECT PRESIDENT ANTONIO GONZALEZ
LOS ANGELES – Antonio Gonzalez, president of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP) and the William C. Velasquez Institute (WCVI), died on November 11 after battling cancer. As the head of both organizations for 24 years, he worked tirelessly to mobilize Latino voters, promote civic participation and improve the lives of immigrants living in the United States. Please attribute the following statement on Antonio’s passing to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):
MALDEF STATEMENT ON RESIGNATION OF ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS
MALDEF STATEMENT ON PASSING OF ESTEEMED LATINO CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE AND DEMOGRAPHY EXPERT LEO ESTRADA
LOS ANGELES – Leo Estrada, associate professor emeritus of urban planning at UCLA and a fierce advocate for voting rights, civil rights, and political representation for Latinos, died on Nov. 3 after a lengthy illness. Please attribute the following statement on Professor Estrada’s passing to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):
MALDEF STATEMENT ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION REQUEST FOR U.S. SUPREME COURT TO CONSIDER DACA INITIATIVE
LOS ANGELES – The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday to bypass the federal appeals process and rule on its efforts to the end the DACA initiative. Please attribute the following statement on the importance of voting today to push back against the Trump administration’s nativist and anti-immigrant policies to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):
MALDEF Statement on Citizenship Guarantees Under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
LOS ANGELES – Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), released the following statement today in response to Donald J. Trump’s incorrect assertion that the Constitutional guarantee of citizenship to all persons born in the United States can be eliminated by executive order: