News Releases

MALDEF STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF GLORIA MOLINA

May 15, 2023 |

LOS ANGELES – MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) mourns the death of Gloria Molina, a trailblazing advocate and leader who was the first Latina elected to the California Assembly, Los Angeles City Council, and the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors.  Molina, 74, died Sunday.

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.

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION ADOPTS RESOLUTION IN RESPONSE TO MOORE v HARPER

Feb 22, 2023 | , ,

LOS ANGELES –  The American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates earlier this month adopted a resolution supporting efforts to restore state-separation-of-powers principles in anticipation of a possible, unprecedented ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in a controversial case that could upend state constitutional structures with respect to regulation of federal elections nationwide.

MALDEF STATEMENT ON GUILTY PLEA IN EL PASO MASSACRE

Feb 9, 2023 | , , ,

LOS ANGELES – A Texas white nationalist who murdered 23 people and injured nearly two dozen more during a mass shooting in 2019 at a Walmart in El Paso pleaded guilty Wednesday to 90 criminal counts, including 45 counts of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The confessed shooter admitted that he targeted the Latino community and chose to carry out the massacre in El Paso because it was a border city. Under a plea agreement, the white nationalist will be sentenced to 90 consecutive life terms.

MALDEF STATEMENT ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF JAN. 6 INSURRECTION

Jan 6, 2023 |

LOS ANGELES – Two years ago today, a violent mob – predominantly white supporters of the recently defeated Donald J. Trump — attempted to overthrow our democracy by attacking the U.S. Capitol to prevent the lawful certification of the legitimate presidential election results.

MALDEF ANNOUNCES 2021-2022 LAW SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS AND RELEASES 2022-2023 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Dec 23, 2022 | , ,

LOS ANGELES – MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) is proud to announce the recipients in its 2021-2022 Law School Scholarship Program. Since its founding in 1968, MALDEF has awarded scholarships to law students committed to furthering our mission of promoting and protecting the civil rights of the Latino community in the United States.