MALDEF TESTIFIES BEFORE CONGRESS ON STRENGTHENING VOTING RIGHTS PROTECTIONS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives of leading civil rights organizations testified in two U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee hearings yesterday about the need to expand and strengthen the federal Voting Rights Act (VRA) and to address other elections-related concerns. MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz was among those testifying.

MALDEF Marks Anniversary of DACA By Urging U.S. Senate to Pass the Dream and Promise Act

LOS ANGELES – Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) issued the following statement today, marking the seventh anniversary of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an initiative that allows undocumented youth to live, study and work in the U.S. MALDEF urges the U.S. Senate to adopt the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019. The measure would provide a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders and is crucial to the future of our nation:

MALDEF Statement on Passing of California Latino Activist and Advocate Nativo Lopez  

LOS ANGELES – Please attribute the following statement marking the passing of Nativo Lopez, an outspoken activist who established the Santa Ana chapter of Hermandad Mexicana National and spoke out on behalf of immigrants’ rights, to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of  MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

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.

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.