WASHINGTON, DC – MALDEF supports the U.S. Department of Education’s proposed regulation on school funding, released yesterday. The regulation would implement a school finance provision known as “supplement not supplant” in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, reauthorized in December 2015 as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Public Policy
Equal Ballot Access for All
MALDEF was a driving force behind the 1975 federal Voting Rights Act renewal that extended protections to Latinos and the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA), which made it easi-er for protected groups to prove that their votes are being diluted. We engage with community groups to keep them up to date on their voting rights.
MALDEF/ LATINOJUSTICE PRLDEF STATEMENTS ON U.S. SUPREME COURT AFFIRMATION OF RACE-CONSCIOUS ADMISSIONS PROGRAMS
WASHINGTON, DC – This morning, the Supreme Court affirmed the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Fisher v. University of Texas, and held that that the University of Texas at Austin’s race-conscious admission program is lawful under the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. Late last year, MALDEF and LatinoJustice PRLDEF filed an amicus brief on behalf of over 20 national Latino advocacy groups supporting the race-conscious admissions program. Statements from MALDEF and LatinoJustice PRLDEF in reaction to today’s decision are below.
MALDEF DENOUNCES SUPREME COURT FAILURE TO ACT ON PRESIDENT OBAMA’S EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON IMMIGRATION
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 4-4 non-decision, failed to act on President Obama’s executive actions on immigration. Today’s ruling creates no new law and does not decide whether DAPA and Expanded DACA are legal. Instead, it leaves in place a lower court block of the initiatives pending further litigation. As a result, the Jane Does, three undocumented Texas mothers who entered the case to defend the initiatives, will be unable to apply for temporary protection from removal. The Jane Does are represented by MALDEF, which argued in the appeal in the U.S. Supreme Court in April.
MALDEF MOURNS VICTIMS OF HATE-DRIVEN ACT OF DOMESTIC TERRORISM IN ORLANDO
Preventing Workplace Harassment
MALDEF STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ACTION ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
MALDEF STATEMENT ON THE EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT OF 2015
MALDEF PRAISES U.S. CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION ON ITS CALL FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF FAMILIES IN DETENTION CENTERS AND AN END TO CONGRESSIONAL FUNDING OF IMMIGRANT FAMILY DETENTION
SAN ANTONIO, TX – Yesterday, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR), an independent and bipartisan agency that advises the President and Congress on civil rights matters, released its report on the state of civil rights at immigration detention centers in the United States. MALDEF testimony is cited throughout the report, which outlines a series of federal and constitutional violations at immigration detention facilities operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. MALDEF and other groups filed a complaint last year with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demanding the immediate investigation of and swift response to widespread allegations of sexual abuse and harassment at the detention center in Karnes City.
CALIFORNIA GOV. BROWN SIGNS MALDEF-SPONSORED BILL TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM ARBITRARY DISCRIMINATION
SACRAMENTO, CA – Yesterday, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law SB 600, a bill authored by Senator Richard Pan, barring discrimination based on citizenship, language, or immigration status. MALDEF initiated and sponsored the legislation, and thanks Gov. Brown for signing it into law. The law clarifies the Unruh Civil Rights Act, and provides clear notice to business proprietors that they cannot discriminate in public accommodations.
CALIFORNIA GOV. BROWN SIGNS MALDEF-SPONSORED BILL PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF CHILD VICTIMS IN COURT
SACRAMENTO, CA – Yesterday, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law AB 560, a bill authored by Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez barring the consideration of a child’s immigration status in civil actions. MALDEF initiated and sponsored the legislation, and thanks Gov. Brown for signing it into law. The law protects minor children who are victims of torts from having their immigration status exposed, explored, and considered in seeking judicial recourse for the harms that they have suffered.
MALDEF STATEMENT SUPPORTING NEW VOTING RIGHTS ADVANCEMENT BILL
WASHINGTON, D.C. – MALDEF President and General Counsel, Thomas A. Saenz, released the following statement supporting the bicameral Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015, introduced today by several Members of the House and Senate. The legislation is the latest action by Congress to restore the federal review of voting changes in states with a history of discriminating against minority voters. MALDEF, and coalition partners, developed a critical new formula in the bill that requires federal preclearance of six suspicious voting change practices that have been historically linked to voter discrimination.
STATEMENT ON BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP HEARING IN U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON, D.C. – MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz released the following statement in response to today’s hearing in the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, which questioned the role of “birthright citizenship,” a longstanding emblem of equality and inclusion:
MALDEF SUPPORTS LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO HELP FIX UNCONSTITUTIONAL TEXAS SCHOOL FINANCING SYSTEM
AUSTIN, TX – MALDEF strongly supports a bill introduced late last week by Texas State Representatives Armando Walle and Mary Gonzalez, HB 3671, the only comprehensive school finance bill filed during the 84th Texas Legislative Session. MALDEF, Intercultural Development Research Association, and The CPPP (Center for Public Policy Priorities) served as a resource to Reps. Walle and Gonzalez on the bill. This legislation aims to bring Texas closer to realizing equitable and adequate educational opportunities for all Texas students than ever before and reduce inefficiencies in the school finance system.
CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLYMEMBER DAVID CHIU INTRODUCES BILL EXTENDING PROTECTIONS AGAINST IMMIGRATION-RELATED EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION
SACRAMENTO, CA – As MALDEF continues to challenge discriminatory practices across the country against individuals seeking employment under the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans program (DAPA) and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), California Assemblymember David Chiu last week introduced AB 1065, a bill extending state-law employment protections against immigration-related discrimination, a bill that MALDEF sponsors.