News Releases

MALDEF Appeals Denial Of Preliminary Injunction On Prop. 200 Voter Restrictions

Sep 13, 2006 | ,

PHOENIX, AZ – Yesterday, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), petitioned the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to review the denial of a preliminary injunction against the voting restrictions of Arizona’s Proposition 200. MALDEF earlier sought a preliminary injunction to prevent U.S. citizens from having to meet difficult and discriminatory new identification requirements in order to vote in the upcoming primary and general elections. In addition, MALDEF sought to remove new “proof of citizenship” requirements that have prevented thousands of voter applicants from being placed on the rolls for the upcoming elections. In an order yesterday, a lower court denied MALDEF’s request.

MALDEF Hails Senate Passage Of Voting Rights Act Ad A Victory For Latino Empowerment And Democracy

Jul 21, 2006 | ,

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) applauded the United States Senate today for its passage of S. 2703, the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, and Cesar Chavez Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006. The Senate reauthorized the landmark legislation by a vote of 98-0. This vote total marks the greatest number by which the Senate has ever approved the VRA.

MALDEF Files Lawsuit Challenging Prop 200

May 10, 2006 | ,

PHOENIX, AZ – Today, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) filed suit in federal court challenging the voter registration and identification provisions of Proposition 200. MALDEF filed the case on behalf of individual voters and voter registration applicants as well as the following organizations: Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, Valle del Sol, Friendly House, Chicanos Por La Causa and the Arizona Hispanic Community Forum.

MALDEF Argues Texas Redistricting Case Before Supreme Court

Mar 1, 2006 | ,

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on the Texas Congressional redistricting case this Wednesday, March 1, 2006 at 1p.m. Nina Perales, MALDEF’s Southwestern Regional Counsel is one of two attorneys arguing against the Texas Congressional district map. MALDEF represents the American GI Forum of Texas.

MALDEF Files Civil Lawsuit On Behalf Of Migrants Detained And Assaulted By Border Vigilantes

Mar 5, 2005 | ,

TUCSON, AZ – MALDEF today filed a civil suit in federal court in Tucson, Arizona on behalf of a group of migrants who allege they were violently assaulted, battered, detained, and threatened with death by members of vigilante groups operating along the Arizona-Mexico border. The lawsuit charges Roger Barnett, his wife Barbara Barnett, his brother Donald Barnett, Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever, and unknown co-conspirators with conspiring to violate the travelers’ civil rights.