Public Policy

MALDEF promotes social change through our advocacy work in the areas of education, employment, immigrants’ rights and political access.

Education

MALDEF STATEMENT ON ILLINOIS STATE LAW EXPANDING ELIGIBILITY FOR IN-STATE TUITION

CHICAGO – This week Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law a measure that provides immigrant students greater educational opportunities. Known as Senate Bill 461, the law will allow immigrant students who attend Illinois high schools or community college to be eligible for in-state tuition at Illinois public universities starting in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Employment

MALDEF STATEMENT ON PASSING OF LABOR LEADER RICHARD TRUMKA

LOS ANGELES –  Please attribute the following statement on the death of longtime AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund:

Immigrants’ Rights

MALDEF STATEMENT ON GUILTY PLEA IN EL PASO MASSACRE

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.

Voting Rights

Access to Justice

MALDEF STATEMENT ON THE NOMINATION OF TWO LATINAS TO FEDERAL COURTS OF APPEAL

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.

Freedom From Open and Obvious Bias and Racism

MALDEF STATEMENT ON GUILTY PLEA IN EL PASO MASSACRE

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.

Help protect and promote the civil rights of the Latino community and the future for all Americans.