MALDEF

News Releases

December 19, 2018   MARYLAND FEDERAL COURT REJECTS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S REQUEST TO END LAWSUIT CHALLENGING CENSUS CITIZENSHIP QUESTION

A federal court in Maryland today rejected a second bid by the Trump administration to toss out a lawsuit challenging the addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 Census.

December 13, 2018   LATINOS SUCCESSFULLY INTERVENE IN ALABAMA LAWSUIT THAT WOULD HAVE CERTAIN IMMIGRANTS TREATED AS NON-PERSONS UNDER CONSTITUTION

Latino voters and a grassroots organization will be allowed to intervene as defendants in a lawsuit filed by the State of Alabama that seeks to exclude undocumented immigrants from the 2020 Census count of all persons in the United States, a federal court ruled today.

December 13, 2018   MALDEF ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF ANDREA SENTENO AS WASHINGTON, D.C. REGIONAL COUNSEL

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) announced the appointment today of Andrea Senteno as Regional Counsel for its Washington, D.C. office.

December 6, 2018   MALDEF ANNOUNCES 2017-2018 LAW SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS AND RELEASES 2018-2019 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

MALDEF is pleased to announce the recipients in its 2017-2018 Law School Scholarship Program.

November 30, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL LAWSUIT AGAINST CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FOR ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF SB 4

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following statement today in response to a lawsuit filed by the Texas Attorney General’s office against the City of San Antonio over an incident involving smuggled immigrants and the purported application of state immigration enforcement statute SB 4:

November 27, 2018   GIVE AS YOU REMEMBER MALDEF ON ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

As MALDEF commemorates its 50th anniversary we thank you for your support past and present. Your contribution helps us protect the right to vote; to challenge the addition of a citizenship question to Census 2020; to remind everyone of the Constitutional guarantee of citizenship to all persons born in the United States; and to continue to defend education and employment rights.

November 16, 2018   MALDEF AND BANK OF AMERICA REACH AGREEMENT TO DISMISS EMPLOYMENT LAWSUIT

On May 3, 2018, MALDEF filed a lawsuit, on behalf of an individual job applicant work-authorized through DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), which alleged that the plaintiff was denied the opportunity to compete for an employment position at Bank of America because he is a DACA holder.

November 12, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON PASSING OF SOUTHWEST VOTER REGISTRATION EDUCATION PROJECT PRESIDENT ANTONIO GONZALEZ

Antonio Gonzalez, president of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP) and the William C. Velasquez Institute (WCVI), died on November 11 after battling cancer.

November 9, 2018   MARYLAND FEDERAL COURT REJECTS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MOTION TO DISMISS CENSUS CITIZENSHIP QUESTION LAWSUIT

A federal court today rejected the Trump Administration’s request to dismiss a lawsuit filed by civil rights organizations that challenges the addition of a citizenship question to Census 2020 on the grounds that it is discriminatory and motivated by racial animus.

November 9, 2018   MALDEF COMMEMORATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY AT 2018 LOS ANGELES GALA AWARDS DINNER

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), the nation’s leading Latino legal civil rights organization, marked its 50th anniversary last night at its 2018 Los Angeles Gala, which featured honors to four award recipients for their lasting and positive contributions to Latinos and all Americans.

November 8, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON RESIGNATION OF ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS

Please attribute the following statement on the resignation of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

November 7, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON PASSING OF ESTEEMED LATINO CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE AND DEMOGRAPHY EXPERT LEO ESTRADA

Leo Estrada, associate professor emeritus of urban planning at UCLA and a fierce advocate for voting rights, civil rights, and political representation for Latinos, died on Nov. 3 after a lengthy illness.

November 6, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION REQUEST FOR U.S. SUPREME COURT TO CONSIDER DACA INITIATIVE

The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday to bypass the federal appeals process and rule on its efforts to the end the DACA initiative.

October 30, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON CITIZENSHIP GUARANTEES UNDER THE 14TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), released the following statement today in response to Donald J. Trump’s incorrect assertion that the Constitutional guarantee of citizenship to all persons born in the United States can be eliminated by executive order:

October 23, 2018   MALDEF 2018 VOTER GUIDE

Voters around the nation face a critical mid-term election on November 6, 2018. There are numerous gubernatorial, senatorial, congressional, legislative, and local races for elected representatives on the ballot this fall.

October 8, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT DENOUNCING KAVANAUGH CONFIRMATION TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), released the following statement in response to the Senate’s 50-48 vote confirming Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court:

October 5, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON CLOTURE VOTE ADVANCING KAVANAUGH NOMINATION

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), released the following statement in response to the procedural cloture vote that advances the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to a final vote before the full United States Senate:

October 4, 2018   MALDEF COMMEMORATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY BY HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF FOUR INDIVIDUALS IN ADVANCING THE LATINO COMMUNITY

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), the nation’s leading Latino legal civil rights organization, on Friday commemorated its 50th anniversary during its 2018 San Antonio Gala, which honored the remarkable work and achievements of four influential leaders in advancing the Latino community.

September 28, 2018   MALDEF LAUNCHES 50TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS WITH PANEL DISCUSSION ON ITS HISTORY AND LEGACY

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) kicked off a series of commemorative events to mark its 50th anniversary last night with a panel discussion on the civil rights organization’s legacy and ongoing work.

September 28, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE VOTE TO ADVANCE KAVANAUGH NOMINATION

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), released the following statement in response to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s 11-to-10 vote to advance the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the full Senate:

September 24, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S ANTI-IMMIGRANT "PUBLIC CHARGE" POLICY

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following statement today in response to the Trump administration’s proposed new rule that seeks to impose unprecedented and alarming limits on legal immigration and punish immigrants who legally access public services:

September 5, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON DACA ONE YEAR AFTER WHITE HOUSE MOVE TO TERMINATE THE INITIATIVE

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following statement today opposing the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court:

September 5, 2018   STATEMENT: MALDEF OPPOSES CONFIRMATION OF JUDGE BRETT KAVANAUGH TO U.S. SUPREME COURT

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following statement today opposing the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court:

August 31, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENTS ON DACA RULING

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), Nina Perales, vice president of litigation at MALDEF, and Karla Perez, a MALDEF client, issued the following statements in response to a federal court ruling today denying a request by Texas and nine other states for an injunction to block renewals of grants of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to hundreds of thousands of young immigrants nationwide.

August 30, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON COURT ORDER ESTABLISHING PROCESS TO REMEDY TEXAS REDISTRICTING VIOLATIONS

The U.S. Supreme Court in June held that the Texas Legislature’s 2013 redraw of House District 90 was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. House District 90 was challenged by MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) on behalf of the Texas Latino Redistricting Task Force and individual voters.

August 23, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON MISLEADING COMMENTS BY TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL ON PENDING DACA CHALLENGE

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the followed statement today on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton repeated misstatements about legal challenges to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative:

August 14, 2018   MALDEF TO PRESENT ORAL ARGUMENT ON BEHALF OF IMMIGRANTS DENIED ADMISSION TO UNIV. OF GEORGIA SYSTEM

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) will present oral argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit today on behalf of students denied admission to flagship schools in the University of Georgia system because of their immigration status.

August 9, 2018   FEDERAL COURT DEFERS RULING ON DACA

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) held a telephone briefing for reporters Wednesday to discuss a federal court hearing on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative.

July 25, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON NEW MEXICO'S INTENTION TO APPEAL RULING IN LANDMARK EDUCATION CASE

The New Mexico Public Education Department has publicly stated that it intends to appeal a court ruling that the state has failed to live up to its constitutional obligation to provide a sufficient education to all students and must implement a remedial plan by next April.

July 20, 2018   JUDGE RULES NEW MEXICO VIOLATED PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS' CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO SUFFICIENT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

A state court ruled today that New Mexico’s education system violates the state constitution because it fails to provide students a sufficient public education.

July 20, 2018   MALDEF FILES NOTICE OF INTENT TO SUE DIGITAL SERVICES FIRM FOR EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST NON-CITIZENS

A digital services firm based in Silicon Valley illegally denied a paid internship to a qualified applicant based on her immigration status, according to a letter sent to California state labor officials today.

July 20, 2018   MALDEF ASKS CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL TO INVESTIGATE KERN COUNTY D.A. CHARGES AGAINST LATINA SUPERVISOR

Civil rights attorneys are asking state officials to investigate Kern County prosecutors in connection with the recent filing of misdemeanor charges against a county supervisor.

July 12, 2018   LATINOS SEEK TO INTERVENE IN ALABAMA LAWSUIT THAT WOULD HAVE CERTAIN IMMIGRANTS TREATED AS NON-PERSONS UNDER CONSTITUTION

The State of Alabama sued the federal government in May seeking to define undocumented immigrants as non-persons under the U.S. Constitution. Specifically, the state seeks to exclude these immigrants from the required Census count of all persons in the United States every 10 years.

July 9, 2018   LAWSUIT ON 2020 CENSUS CITIZENSHIP QUESTION UPDATED TO INCLUDE NATIVE AMERICAN GROUPS AND CHARGE GOVERNMENT CONSPIRACY

Native American groups have joined a lawsuit filed by attorneys representing Latino and Asian American plaintiffs alleging that the addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 Census was motivated by racial animus and will result in a severe undercount of minorities, according to civil rights attorneys.

July 3, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S ROLLBACK OF FEDERAL POLICY GUIDANCE ON CAMPUS DIVERSITY

The federal government announced today that it has rescinded policy guidance issued by the Obama administration to foster diversity in elementary and secondary schools and on college campuses. Please attribute the following statement to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

June 29, 2018   MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL OF MALDEF

As Donald Trump passed 500 days in the White House earlier in June, the parameters of the administration’s approach to critical issues of concern to the Latino community have become even clearer. After 500 days, Trump has failed to nominate a single Latino to a federal court of appeals vacancy.

June 27, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON U.S. SUPREME COURT'S ANTI-LABOR DECISION

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following statement on today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision undermining the effectiveness and strength of public sector labor unions:

June 26, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION TO UPHOLD TRUMP'S MUSLIM BAN

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following statement on today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the immigration ban targeting Muslims:

June 26, 2018   VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE AT NOTORIOUS HUTTO IMMIGRATION CENTER IN TEXAS DEMAND RELEASE OF FEDERAL AUDIT RESULTS

Two women who say they were sexually abused by guards while detained at a Texas immigration center today issued a new request to federal authorities demanding an investigation into the mishandling of their cases and release of any probe of the facility, according to civil rights attorneys.

June 25, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON ABBOTT V. PEREZ RULING BY THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT

Please attribute the following statement on today’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in Abbott v. Perez to Nina Perales, vice president of litigation at MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund).

June 22, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORTS TO INCREASE DETENTIONS OF MIGRANT FAMILIES

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following statement today in response to the Trump administration’s actions relating to the separation of families at the border this week:

June 22, 2018   ARIZONA CANNOT DENY DRIVER'S LICENSES TO IMMIGRANTS WITH DEFERRED ACTION, COURT RULES IN LAWSUIT FILED BY MALDEF, NILC

Arizona must accept proof of work authorization as sufficient documentation from immigrants seeking to obtain driver’s licenses, a federal court ruled this week.

June 21, 2018   MALDEF HONORS THREE EXEMPLARY LEADERS AT ANNUAL CHICAGO AWARDS GALA

Civil rights, government and community leaders from the Chicago area and the nation joined MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) last night at its 2018 awards gala to honor the achievements of three exemplary leaders.

June 19, 2018   MALDEF DECRIES 'ZERO TOLERANCE' TRAVESTY AND SEPARATION OF FAMILIES, CALLS FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS TO RESIGN

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), released the following statement today on the Trump administration's “zero tolerance” immigration stance that has led to forced separation of families and horrific accounts of children being taken from their parents:

June 15, 2018   MALDEF SUES CITY OF PLACENTIA FOR BREACH OF 2016 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT TO SECURE LATINO VOTING RIGHTS

MALDEF filed a lawsuit against the City of Placentia today for breaching a 2016 settlement agreement to secure Latino voting rights as required by the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA).

June 14, 2018   APPEALS COURT RULES CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS CAN INTERVENE IN FEDERAL LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE CALIFORNIA VOTING RIGHTS ACT

A federal appeals court panel ruled today that civil rights advocates can intervene in a lawsuit that seeks to overturn the City of Poway’s election system and challenges the constitutionality of the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA).

June 8, 2018   ON 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ZOOT SUIT RIOTS, MALDEF PRESIDENT REFLECTS ON LESSONS FOR TODAY

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following statement regarding the 1943 Zoot Suit Riots and contemporary issues related to the demonization of Latino immigrants.

June 1, 2018   CITY OF PLACENTIA COUNCIL MAP VIOLATES 2016 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT TO ENSURE LATINO VOTING RIGHTS, MALDEF WARNS

The City of Placentia, California is failing to comply with an agreement to draw a new council district map that ensures Latinos’ voting rights and risks legal action for breaching the settlement if it does not take immediate action, demand letters sent to the city warn.

May 31, 2018   TRANS IMMIGRANT PETITIONS U.S. SUPREME COURT FOR CASE AGAINST DISCRIMINATORY INDIANA LAW TO BE HEARD

A transgender man who is challenging an Indiana state law that bars immigrants from obtaining a change of legal name is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a federal trial court’s decision to dismiss his case, according to a petition for certiorari filed today.

May 31, 2018   MALDEF AND ADVANCING JUSTICE SUE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, CHALLENGING ADDITION OF CITIZENSHIP QUESTION TO 2020 CENSUS

The Trump administration’s eleventh-hour decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census violates the U.S. Constitution because it is racially discriminatory and could result in a severe undercount of minorities, according to a federal lawsuit filed today by nearly two dozen groups and individuals.

May 30, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON EDUCATION SECRETARY'S ATTEMPT TO ROLL BACK REMARKS ON REPORTING STUDENTS TO ICE

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following response to a statement released today by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos attempting to explain her testimony before Congress:

May 22, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON EDUCATION SECRETARY'S CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY ON ICE ENFORCEMENT AT SCHOOLS

Please attribute the following statement on today’s testimony by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

May 18, 2018   CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OFFICIALS MAY NOT INDEFINITELY BAN PARENT FROM CHILD'S SCHOOL AS RETALIATION FOR FREE SPEECH OR WITHOUT OPPORTUNITY TO CONTEST

In a ruling that recognizes the critical right of all parents to participate in their children’s education, a federal court today rejected Gustine, California school officials’ attempt to dismiss a Latina mother’s lawsuit challenging the school principal’s decision to ban her from campus after she sought to protect her son’s education.

May 15, 2018   FEDERAL COURT GRANTS MALDEF MOTION TO INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF DREAMERS IN TEXAS-LED LAWSUIT CHALLENGING DACA

A federal judge today allowed nearly two dozen young immigrants who grew up in the United States and are recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to intervene in a lawsuit filed by Texas and six other states challenging the 2012 immigration initiative.

May 8, 2018   MALDEF FILES MOTION TO INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF DREAMERS IN TEXAS-LED LAWSUIT CHALLENGING DACA

Nearly two dozen young immigrants who grew up in the United States and are recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are asking a federal court to allow them to intervene in a lawsuit filed this month by Texas and six other states challenging the 2012 initiative.

May 4, 2018   A HISTORY OF TEXAS' EFFORT TO CHALLENGE DACA IN FEDERAL COURT

Texas and six other states filed a lawsuit this week challenging the constitutionality of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative. Here is a timeline prepared by MALDEF of significant dates in the history of DACA.

May 3, 2018   MALDEF FILES CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST BANK OF AMERICA FOR EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST NON-CITIZENS

Bank of America illegally denies employment to qualified applicants based on their immigration status even though they are authorized to work in the United States, a lawsuit filed in federal court today charged.

May 1, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON LAWSUIT LED BY TEXAS CHALLENGING DACA INITIATIVE

Please attribute the following statement in response to a lawsuit filed by Texas and six other states challenging the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

April 19, 2018   MALDEF HONORS THREE COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS LEADERS FOR ADVANCING LATINO CAUSES

Renowned broadcast journalist Maria Elena Salinas, civil rights leader Brent A. Wilkes, and Verizon executive Emilio Gonzalez were honored Wednesday at the 2018 MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) Washington, D.C. Gala.

April 6, 2018   MALDEF FILES CLASS-ACTION SUIT AGAINST NEW JERSEY FINANCIAL SERVICES FIRM FOR EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST NON-CITIZENS

A New Jersey financial services firm illegally denied a qualified applicant a job as an independent financial advisor because of his immigration status, a class-action lawsuit filed this week in federal court alleges.

April 5, 2018   LAWSUIT CHARGING PROCTER & GAMBLE WITH DISCRIMINATORY EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES AGAINST SOME IMMIGRANTS WILL MOVE FORWARD

A federal class-action lawsuit claiming that the consumer product giant Procter & Gamble discriminated against qualified immigrants with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) when it refused to consider them for paid internships will move forward.

March 30, 2018   MALDEF, KERN COUNTY REACH SETTLEMENT IN LANDMARK VOTING RIGHTS LAWSUIT

MALDEF and attorneys for Kern County, California announced an agreement today on a new Board of Supervisors districting plan that will respect Latinos’ right to elect candidates of their choice.

March 29, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON PASSING OF FEDERAL CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE STEPHEN REINHARDT

Please attribute the following statement on the passing of Judge Stephen Reinhardt of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

March 27, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON COMMERCE DEPARTMENT'S APPROVAL OF A POLITICALLY CHARGED QUESTION ON CITIZENSHIP ON THE 2020 U.S. CENSUS

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following statement on the U.S. Commerce Department’s decision to include a question about citizenship on the 2020 census:

March 22, 2018   MALDEF ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF GRISELDA VEGA SAMUEL AS MIDWEST REGIONAL COUNSEL

Griselda Vega Samuel, an attorney whose specialties have included working with low-income clients and advocating on behalf of human trafficking victims, has joined MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) as its new Midwest Regional Counsel, leading its Chicago office.

March 19, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT REFUSAL TO HEAR APPEAL OF ARIZONA CHALLENGE TO DACA INITIATIVE

The United States Supreme Court decided today to let stand a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit that barred Arizona from denying driver’s licenses to people protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative.

March 17, 2018   ICE AGREES TO RELEASE OF ASYLUM SEEKER DENIED ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE BY TEXAS IMMIGRANT DETENTION FACILITY

Federal immigration officials agreed on Friday to release a Salvadoran asylum seeker who was denied adequate medical care while detained at a Texas immigration detention facility, according to her attorneys.

March 14, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON RESOLUTION OF COURT HEARING SEEKING IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE FOR DETAINED SALVADORAN ASYLUM SEEKER

On Tuesday, MALDEF went before a federal court judge in Austin on behalf of Laura Monterrosa-Flores, a Salvadoran asylum seeker who has been denied adequate medical care for her mental health needs by officials at the T. Don Hutto Residential Center, an immigrant detention facility in Taylor, Texas, and by U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

March 13, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS OPINION ON ANTI-IMMIGRANT TEXAS SB 4 LAW

Please attribute the following statement on the decision from a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit overturning most of a preliminary injunction barring implementation of the bulk of the anti-immigrant Texas SB 4 law to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF:

March 13, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TRUMP VISIT TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Please attribute the following statement on Donald Trump’s trip to Southern California today to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF:

March 12, 2018   COURT TO HEAR MALDEF REQUEST FOR RELEASE FROM IMMIGRATION DETENTION OF ASYLUM SEEKER DENIED ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE

Attorneys for a Salvadoran asylum seeker who has been denied adequate medical care for her mental health needs will be in court March 13th seeking her immediate release from immigration detention.

March 10, 2018   MALDEF MOURNS THE PASSING OF FORMER PRESIDENT AND VOTING RIGHTS GENIUS JOAQUIN G. AVILA

It is with deep sadness that MALDEF announces the passing of former president and general counsel Joaquin G. Avila, whose long career at the civil right organization and in the community was highlighted by his landmark work in voting rights advocacy and litigation.

March 7, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION LAWSUIT CHALLENGING CALIFORNIA STATE LAWS

The U.S. Department of Justice sued California on Tuesday, challenging three state laws that address immigration overreach by federal officials. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions today sought to justify the lawsuit during a speech in Sacramento.

March 5, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON THE URGENT NEED TO FIND A LEGISLATIVE SOLUTION TO PROTECT DREAMERS

Six months ago, the Trump Administration announced that today would be the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative. Court orders have extended the initiative.

March 5, 2018   LANDMARK KERN COUNTY VOTING RIGHTS LAWSUIT GOES TO REMEDIAL PHASE TUESDAY IN FEDERAL COURT

Following a federal judge’s ruling that a redistricting plan adopted in 2011 by the Kern County, California Board of Supervisors unlawfully denies Latinos the right to elect candidates of their choice, MALDEF and attorneys for the county will return to court tomorrow for the remedial phase of the case.

March 2, 2018   MALDEF SEEKS IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF ASYLUM SEEKER DENIED ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE BY TEXAS IMMIGRANT DETENTION FACILITY

A civil rights group asked a federal court today to order the immediate release from immigration detention of a Salvadoran asylum seeker who has attempted suicide and has been denied adequate medical care for her mental health needs.

March 1, 2018   STATEMENT ON RESOLUTION OF CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS' CLAIMS AGAINST DISBANDED WHITE HOUSE 'ELECTION INTEGRITY COMMISSION'

A motion filed by a coalition of civil rights groups to voluntarily dismiss their claims against the discredited and now-disbanded “Election Integrity Commission” has been approved by a federal court judge.

February 28, 2018   CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS' STATEMENT ON COURT RULING BLOCKING SOUTH TEXAS COUNTY'S RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL SPEECH

A federal court has granted a request by MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) and TCRP (Texas Civil Rights Project) to temporarily block a 2018 rule adopted by the Commissioners Court of Starr County that prohibits “electioneering” during voting periods on properties owned or operated by the county.

February 23, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON DISMISSAL OF FEDERAL LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE CALIFORNIA VOTING RIGHTS ACT

A federal court judge dismissed a lawsuit today that sought to overturn the City of Poway’s election system and challenged the constitutionality of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA).

February 23, 2018   KERN COUNTY REDISTRICTING PLAN VIOLATES LATINO VOTING RIGHTS, FEDERAL COURT RULES IN MALDEF LAWSUIT

A redistricting plan adopted in 2011 by the Kern County, California Board of Supervisors unlawfully denies Latinos the right to elect candidates of their choice, in violation of Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, a federal judge ruled today in a landmark lawsuit filed by MALDEF.

February 22, 2018   CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS SEEK EMERGENCY ORDER TO BLOCK SOUTH TEXAS COUNTY'S RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL SPEECH

Two civil rights groups asked a federal judge today to block an order adopted last month by Starr County, Texas banning political advocacy on county-owned property.

February 15, 2018   FEDERAL JUDGE RULES MALDEF LAWSUIT AGAINST ILLINOIS SHERIFF FOR UNLAWFUL DETENTION OF LATINO FATHER CAN MOVE FORWARD

A lawsuit challenging the Lake County Sheriff’s Office decision to detain a Honduran man for immigration purposes despite a judge’s order to release him will move forward, a federal judge ruled this week.

February 13, 2018   MALDEF URGES CONGRESSIONAL ACTION ON WORKFORCE PRESERVATION BY PROTECTING IMMIGRANT YOUTH AND TPS HOLDERS

Please attribute the following statement on the potential economic impact of immigration policy currently under debate in Congress to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

January 31, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF, issued the following statement today in reaction to last night's State of the Union address:

January 30, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON ARIZONA CONGRESSMAN'S CALL FOR IMMIGRATION RAID AT STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following statement today in response to a call by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) for U.S. Capitol Police to carry out immigration enforcement actions at tonight’s State of the Union address:

January 25, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON WHITE HOUSE IMMIGRATION PROPOSAL

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following statement today in response to the Trump administration's outline of proposed legislation on immigration:

January 23, 2018   MALDEF SUES MOTEL 6 FOR VIOLATING RIGHTS OF LATINO GUESTS IN ARIZONA

Motel 6 violated the civil rights of Latino immigrants and other guests by alerting federal authorities that they had rented rooms at two Phoenix locations, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday in the name of eight plaintiffs affected by the motel practice.

January 22, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON ENDING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN WITHOUT PROTECTIONS FOR IMMIGRANT YOUTH

Please attribute the following statement on the Senate vote ending the federal government shutdown without an agreement on the future of immigrant youth previously protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

January 20, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following statement on the government shutdown and Trump Administration:

January 15, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TRUMP'S RACIST COMMENTS

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following statement today, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, on Donald Trump's recent racist comments:

January 12, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION TO HEAR CASE ON TEXAS HOUSE REDISTRICTING PLAN

The U.S. Supreme Court announced today that it will hear a case over whether Texas’ congressional and State House district boundaries discriminate against Latinos and other voters of color.

January 12, 2018   MALDEF WARNS VICTOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA VOTING RIGHTS ACT

MALDEF sent a letter to the Victor Elementary School District in Victorville today warning that its at-large system of electing Board of Trustees members violates the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA).

January 10, 2018   CLOSING BRIEFS FILED IN LANDMARK EDUCATION LAWSUIT AGAINST STATE OF NEW MEXICO

Attorneys from MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) and the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty (the Center) have filed closing briefs for their consolidated lawsuit (Martinez v. State of New Mexico and Yazzie v. State of New Mexico) against the State of New Mexico for its failure to provide all public school students a sufficient education as mandated by the New Mexico Constitution.

January 8, 2018   MALDEF DENOUNCES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DECISION TO END TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR SALVADORAN IMMIGRANTS

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following statement today in response to the Trump Administration’s announcement that it will end temporary protected status (TPS) for more than a quarter of a million immigrants from El Salvador:

January 3, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT CALLING FOR REMOVAL OF ACTING ICE DIRECTOR BASED ON THREAT TO PROSECUTE LEADERS OF SANCTUARY JURISDICTIONS

Please attribute the following statement on Acting ICE Director Thomas Homan’s threat to criminally prosecute leaders of sanctuary jurisdictions to MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz:

January 3, 2018   MALDEF STATEMENT ON EXECUTIVE ORDER TO DISBAND FAKE WHITE HOUSE COMMISSION ON NON-EXISTENT VOTER FRAUD

Please attribute the following statement on the Trump executive order disbanding a commission formed to investigate non-existent voter fraud to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

December 22, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON CONCLUSION OF LANDMARK TRIAL IN LAWSUIT ALLEGING FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN KERN COUNTY

Trial in a lawsuit filed by MALDEF alleging that Kern County, California has violated the federal Voting Rights Act concluded in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California this week. It was the first federal Voting Rights Act trial in California in over a decade and a half.

December 12, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON CITY OF LODI'S MOVE TOWARDS DISTRICT-BASED ELECTION SYSTEM

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), released the following statement today following a vote by the Lodi City Council to adopt a resolution of intent to move from an at-large to a district-based election system.

December 5, 2017   MALDEF TO PRESENT ORAL ARGUMENT ON BEHALF OF LAWFULLY PRESENT IMMIGRANT DEPORTED TO MEXICO

A MALDEF attorney, who represents an immigrant woman who was arrested and deported from the United States despite having a visa authorizing her to be in the country, will present oral argument Wednesday before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

December 4, 2017   MALDEF TO REPRESENT DISENFRANCHISED KERN COUNTY LATINOS IN LANDMARK FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS TRIAL

A lawsuit filed by MALDEF alleging that Kern County, California has failed to comply with the federal Voting Rights Act goes to trial in federal court tomorrow.

December 1, 2017   TRIAL TO BEGIN IN LAWSUIT ALLEGING KERN COUNTY DENIES LATINO VOTING RIGHTS

A lawsuit filed by MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) alleging that Kern County, California has failed to comply with the federal Voting Rights Act goes to trial in federal court on December 5.

November 21, 2017   MALDEF DENOUNCES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DECISION TO END TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR HAITIAN REFUGEES

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issues statement in response to the Trump Administration's announcement that it will end temporary protected status (TPS) for refugees displaced by a devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

November 17, 2017   MALDEF PLEDGES SUPPORT TO JURISDICTIONS THREATENED BY DOJ OVER IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT POLICIES

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following statement today in response to letters sent by the U.S. Department of Justice demanding that 29 jurisdictions engage in immigration enforcement efforts:

November 10, 2017   MALDEF HONORS THREE EXEMPLARY LEADERS FOR THEIR ROLES IN ADVANCING LATINO CAUSES

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, former Attorney General of New Mexico Patricia Madrid, and artist and muralist Barbara Carrasco were honored Thursday at the 2017 MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) Los Angeles Gala.

November 7, 2017   MALDEF, ADVANCING JUSTICE SEEK TO INTERVENE IN FEDERAL LAWSUIT CHALLENGE TO THE CALIFORNIA VOTING RIGHTS ACT

Civil rights advocates are asking a federal court to allow them to intervene in a lawsuit that seeks to overturn the City of Poway’s election system and challenges the constitutionality of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA).

November 3, 2017   MALDEF TO PRESENT ARGUMENT ON TEXAS SB 4 BEFORE THE FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) will return to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Tuesday, Nov. 7, to present argument on Texas SB 4.

November 3, 2017   MALDEF TO HONOR LATINO LEADERS AT 2017 ANNUAL AWARDS GALA IN LOS ANGELES

MALDEF will host its 2017 Los Angeles Awards Gala honoring the work and achievements of three influential leaders, on November 9, 2017, at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel at 6 p.m.

November 2, 2017   STATEMENT ON APPOINTMENT OF MALDEF NATIONAL SENIOR COUNSEL TO LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT JUDGESHIP

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), released the following statement today on the appointment of Victor G. Viramontes as a Los Angeles County Superior Judge.

October 31, 2017   SB 4 FACT SHEET

Texas Senate Bill 4, the so-called “sanctuary cities” bill signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott and scheduled to take effect on Sept. 1, 2017, was blocked, in large part, by a federal court order in late August.

October 31, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON FEDERAL COURT BLOCK OF TRUMP ORDER BANNING TRANSGENDER PEOPLE FROM MILITARY SERVICE

Please attribute the following statement on Monday’s decision by a federal court judge blocking the Trump administration’s ban on transgender people serving in the military to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

October 30, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON DETENTION OF 10-YEAR-OLD ROSA MARIA HERNANDEZ BY BORDER PATROL AGENTS

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), released the following statement today in response to the detention of Rosa Maria Hernandez, a 10-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who underwent emergency gallbladder surgery in Texas.

October 26, 2017   MALDEF WARNS CITY OF LODI OF LEGAL ACTION OVER ELECTION SYSTEM

MALDEF sent a letter to the City of Lodi today warning that its at-large system of electing council members violates the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA).

October 20, 2017   FEDERAL JUDGE KEEPS MEDI-CAL EQUALITY LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA STATE COURT SYSTEM

A U.S. District Court judge this week granted a motion to remand a lawsuit challenging California’s failure to ensure adequate access to care under Medi-Cal back to state court.

October 16, 2017   MALDEF ATTORNEY CELINA MORENO NAMED INTERIM SOUTHWEST REGIONAL COUNSEL

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) announced the appointment of Celina Moreno as interim Southwest Regional Counsel on Oct. 2.

October 12, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S CRUEL AND SENSELESS IMMIGRATION DEMANDS

The Trump administration this week released a list of punitive anti-immigrant guidelines that it says must be enacted as part of any legislation that addresses the plight of undocumented young immigrants who were brought to the United States as children.

October 10, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON NEW REPORT INDICATING LASD PROVIDED DETAILED INMATE INFORMATION DIRECTLY TO ICE

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), released the following statement today in response to a new report by the Office of Inspector General County of Los Angeles.

October 5, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON ENACTMENT OF CALIFORNIA SENATE BILL 54

California Senate Bill 54, which enacts important limits on cooperation by state and local officials with federal immigration authorities, was signed into law today by Gov. Jerry Brown. Please attribute the following statement to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

October 3, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON SETTLEMENT IN CHALLENGE TO PASADENA, TX ELECTION SYSTEM

Pasadena Mayor Jeff Wagner and MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) announced today that the City and plaintiffs have reached a settlement of the litigation in Patino v. City of Pasadena, which was a challenge to Pasadena’s election system that was adopted through a charter amendment approved in a 2013 election.

October 2, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON APPEAL OF SB 4 RULING

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), released the following statement today announcing that MALDEF filed a notice of cross-appeal of U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia's ruling in the lawsuit against Texas SB 4.

September 30, 2017   MALDEF HONORS EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS OF THREE INDIVIDUALS FOR THEIR ROLES IN ADVANCING LATINO CAUSES

Texas Senator Sylvia R. Garcia, Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez, and visual artist Jesse Treviño were honored Friday at the 2017 MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) San Antonio Gala.

September 26, 2017   FEDERAL COURT TO HEAR MALDEF APPEAL ON INDIANA LAW BARRING IMMIGRANTS FROM OBTAINING NAME-CHANGE

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) will present oral argument to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on Wednesday.

September 25, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS DECISION ON TEXAS SB 4

A panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit today largely denied a motion by the State of Texas to allow portions of Texas' SB 4 to take effect, but permitted limited implementation, pending resolution of a full appeal, of two of the law's provisions that had previously been blocked.

September 20, 2017   MALDEF TO PRESENT ORAL ARGUMENT IN TEXAS SB 4 BEFORE THE FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) will present oral argument to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Friday in opposition to an emergency order requested by the State of Texas that would allow Texas’ SB 4 to take effect.

September 19, 2017   TESTIMONY OF THOMAS A. SAENZ, PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL, MALDEF BEFORE THE DEMOCRATIC POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

Good afternoon. My name is Thomas A. Saenz, and I am president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), which, next year, will celebrate 50 years promoting the civil rights of all Latinos living in the United States.

September 18, 2017   MALDEF SUES SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR BANNING LATINA MOTHER FROM MERCED COUNTY CAMPUS

A Merced County elementary school principal violated a Latina mother’s constitutional rights by banning her from campus in response to criticisms of her son’s treatment in class, a lawsuit filed in federal court alleges.

September 14, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF CRIMINAL ALIEN GANG MEMBER REMOVAL ACT

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), released the following statement today in response to the U.S. House of Representatives vote passing the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act bill (H.R. 3697):

September 13, 2017   A MALDEF SPURS ANTELOPE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT TO MOVE TOWARD MORE INCLUSIVE ELECTIONS SYSTEM

Reacting to concerns that its elections process shuts out Latinos and a threat of legal action, the Antelope Valley Community College District Board of Trustees adopted a resolution this week to convert elections for board members to a district-based system.

September 12, 2017   A FEDERAL COURT TO HEAR MALDEF APPEAL ON SOUTH CAROLINA RULE BARRING HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPORT TO U.S. CITIZENS BASED ON PARENTS' IMMIGRATION STATUS

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) will present oral argument to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on Wednesday.

September 6, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TEXAS' REQUEST TO ALLOW SB 4 TO TAKE EFFECT IN AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE HARVEY

Please attribute the following statement on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s request to the United States Court of Appeal for the Fifth Circuit seeking to stay a federal district court’s injunction blocking implementation of Texas Senate Bill 4 (SB 4) to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

September 5, 2017   MALDEF SUES ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY FOR RACE AND AGE DISCRIMINATION

The Illinois Institute of Technology fired a 63-year-old Latino employee months after he began scheduling regular meetings to discuss maltreatment of Latino faculty and staff, according to a complaint filed today alleging age and race discrimination.

September 5, 2017   A MALDEF STATEMENT ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ORDER RESCINDING DACA

The U.S. Department of Justice announced today that the Trump Administration will rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative, caving in to a threat by 10 states, led by Texas, that they would sue the federal government if DACA was allowed to continue.

September 2, 2017   A HISTORY OF TEXAS' EFFORT TO CHALLENGE DACA IN FEDERAL COURT

he White House announced on Friday that it will release its decision on the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative on Tuesday, Sept. 5. In anticipation of the decision, MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) has prepared this timeline of significant dates in the history of DACA.

September 1, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TENNESSEE DECISION NOT TO PURSUE A CHALLENGE TO DACA

Please attribute the following statement on Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery's decision not to pursue a legal challenge of DACA to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund).

August 31, 2017   LATINOJUSTICE AND MALDEF JOIN LDF AND THE ORDINARY PEOPLE SOCIETY IN LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE PRESIDENT'S ELECTION INTEGRITY

Yesterday, LatinoJustice PRLDEF and MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) joined the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) in challenging the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity.

August 30, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON FEDERAL COURT DECISION TO BLOCK PORTIONS OF TEXAS SB 4

A federal court has partially granted a request to block Texas from implementing Senate Bill 4 (SB 4).

August 28, 2017   MALDEF ASKS ARIZONA SUPREME COURT TO HEAR APPEAL IN IN-STATE TUITION CASE

A civil rights group is urging the Arizona Supreme Court to uphold a trial court’s ruling that allows a community college to charge young immigrants granted federal protection from deportation a lower in-state tuition rate.

August 25, 2017   MALDEF, RAINBOW PUSH COALITION, CA SECRETARY OF STATE RESPOND TO TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S DISCRIMINATORY POLICIES

Civil rights groups and the California Secretary of State vowed Friday to work together to combat the Trump Administration’s efforts to suppress minority voting while also urging the White House to keep in place Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a 2012 initiative that protects some young immigrants from deportation.

August 25, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TRUMP PARDON OF JOE ARPAIO

Please attribute the following statement on Donald J. Trump’s pardon of Joe Arpaio, the disgraced former sheriff of Maricopa County, AZ, to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

August 24, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON FEDERAL COURT RULING ON TEXAS HOUSE REDISTRICTING PLAN

A federal court today struck down portions of the current Texas redistricting plan for the State House of Representatives.

August 22, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TRUMP'S POTENTIAL PARDON OF SHERIFF JOE ARPAIO

"If Donald Trump were to pardon the infamous Joe Arpaio today, it would be the most naked pander to a shrinking and dubious political 'base' since... well, last Tuesday. Any presidential pardon is completely premature for the following reasons:

August 22, 2017   PASADENA SCHOOL DISTRICT FAILED TO INVESTIGATE PRINCIPAL FOR IMMIGRATION-BASED THREATS, MALDEF LAWSUIT SAYS

The Pasadena Unified School District failed to carry out its obligation under state law to investigate a complaint that an elementary school principal threatened to report an individual to immigration authorities, according to a lawsuit filed today.

August 17, 2017   ADVOCATES WILL CHALLENGE CALIFORNIA'S MOVE TO TRANSFER LAWSUIT AGAINST MEDI-CAL SYSTEM TO FEDERAL COURT

California officials late last week acted to transfer to federal court a lawsuit challenging the state's failure to ensure adequate access to care under Medi-Cal, which has affected all Medi-Cal participants, a majority of whom are Latino.

August 16, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TRUMP'S PRESS CONFERENCE BLAMING "BOTH SIDES" FOR VIOLENCE IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA

Please attribute the following statement on Donald J. Trump’s assertions Tuesday that "both sides" are to blame for the violence that erupted over the weekend at a white supremacists' rally in Charlottesville, VA to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund)

August 15, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON COURT RULING IN TEXAS REDISTRICTING PLAN

A federal court today struck down portions of the current Texas congressional redistricting plan.

August 14, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TRUMP'S COMMENT ON POSSIBLE ARPAIO PARDON

Demonstrating how inextricably conflicted he is about condemning racism and the targeting of racial minorities, Donald Trump apparently informed Fox News of an extraordinary potential for further hypocrisy on the very same day that he continued to refuse to condemn white nationalism and instead deployed high-level White House officials to re-interpret his previous remarks.

August 12, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON VIOLENT WHITE NATIONALIST PROTESTS IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.

MALDEF joins in condemning the white nationalist protests in Charlottesville, Va. and the violence that the protests engendered.

August 10, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON COURT RULING AGAINST STATE OF TEXAS IN SB 4 LAWSUIT

In a well-reasoned written decision, United States District Judge Sam Sparks yesterday rebuked Texas state Attorney General Ken Paxton's premature Austin-based litigation to defend the constitutionally-flawed SB 4.

August 4, 2017   LANDMARK EDUCATION TRIAL AGAINST STATE OF NEW MEXICO ENDS

Today marks the last day of testimony in a nine-week trial against the state of New Mexico, in a case that alleges the State has violated the constitutional rights of its public school students.

August 4, 2017   FEDERAL COURT RULES LAWSUIT ALLEGING LENDING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST IMMIGRANTS BY WELLS FARGO CAN GO FORWARD

An argument by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. that federal law permits the bank to discriminate against certain immigrants was rejected by a federal judge, ruling in a lawsuit alleging that the financial giant illegally denied qualified applicants, including college students, loans because of their alienage or immigration status.

August 3, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON INTRODUCTION OF ANTI-IMMIGRANT BILL ENDORSED BY TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

Please attribute the following statement on legislation introduced Wednesday by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) that would severely curb legal immigration levels to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

August 2, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S POTENTIAL PLAN TO TARGET AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

Please attribute the following statement on reports that the Department of Justice is planning to investigate college and university affirmative action admissions policies to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

July 31, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON CRIMINAL CONTEMPT CONVICTION OF FORMER ARIZONA SHERIFF JOE ARPAIO

Please attribute the following statement on the conviction of Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Maricopa County, Ariz., for criminal contempt of court to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

July 28, 2017   MALDEF ASKS FEDERAL COURT TO DISMISS THREAT BY TEXAS TO CHALLENGE DACA INITIATIVE

A threat by the State of Texas to amend a lawsuit to include a belated challenge to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative should be thrown out on the grounds that the original lawsuit is not related to DACA, according to a motion filed in federal court today.

July 27, 2017   MALDEF ANNOUNCES 2016-2017 LAW SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS AND RELEASES 2017-2018 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

MALDEF is pleased to announce the recipients in its 2016-2017 Law School Scholarship Program.

July 26, 2017   KERN LATINO AND AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS ACHIEVE VICTORY IN LANDMARK SETTLEMENT WITH KERN HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Latino and Black students enrolled in the Kern High School District, together with their parents and community activist organizations Dolores Huerta Foundation, National Brotherhood Association, and Faith in Kern, obtained a historic settlement in their challenge to discriminatory practices.

July 24, 2017   STATEMENTS / KERN LATINO AND AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS ACHIEVE VICTORY IN LANDMARK SETTLEMENT WITH KERN HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

The settlement approved today with the Kern High School District (KHSD) Board of Trustees is the result of a three-year court battle to stop years of discriminatory discipline practices that deprived African American and Latino students of their right to an education.

July 17, 2017   PROCTOR & GAMBLE SUED FOR ALLEGED DISCRIMINATORY EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES AGAINST SOME IMMIGRANTS

Procter & Gamble illegally denied qualified applicants paid internships because of their immigration status, according to a lawsuit filed today in federal court.

July 12, 2017   ADVOCATES FILE LAWSUIT ALLEGING CALIFORNIA'S SEPARATE AND UNEQUAL MEDI-CAL SYSTEM VIOLATES THE RIGHT OF MILLIONS

State officials are violating the civil rights of 13.5 million individuals enrolled in Medi-Cal, the health insurance program for low-income Californians, a majority of whom are Latino, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday.

July 7, 2017   THE FIREWORKS FOR THE 4TH ARE OVER BUT THE FIREWORKS IN COURT CONTINUE

This coming Monday, MALDEF will be presenting its witnesses in federal court for the third in a series of trials on Texas redistricting and the discriminatory drawing of district lines.

July 7, 2017   TRIAL BEGINS MONDAY IN MALDEF CHALLENGE TO TEXAS REDISTRICTING PLAN

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) will represent the Texas Latino Redistricting Task Force and 17 individual Latino voters at a five-day trial starting Monday challenging the Texas Legislature’s 2013 redistricting plan for the Texas House.

June 29, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TEXAS LETTER DEMANDING REPEAL OF DACA

Please attribute the following statement on the letter from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and 10 other states demanding that the federal government rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

June 26, 2017   MALDEF AND UH LAW CENTER CELEBRATE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF U.S. SUPREME COURT'S LANDMARK RULING IN PLYLER V. DOE

Celebrating a landmark decision that brought equal protection rights to millions of immigrants, top former and current MALDEF lawyers and the University of Houston Law Center will host a panel discussion on Tuesday to mark the 35th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court's historic ruling in Plyler v. Doe, which guaranteed all children access to a free public education from kindergarten to 12th grade, regardless of immigration status.

June 23, 2017   MALDEF HONORS THREE EXEMPLARY LEADERS AT ANNUAL CHICAGO AWARDS GALA

A diverse group of civil rights supporters, government and community representatives, and notable leaders from the Chicago area and around the nation gathered Thursday night to celebrate the achievements of three exemplary leaders as MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) hosted its 2017 awards gala at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

June 20, 2017   MALDEF ASKS FEDERAL COURT TO BLOCK TEXAS SB 4

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) on Monday asked a federal court to block Texas Senate Bill 4 from taking effect.

June 20, 2017   MALDEF AND UH LAW CENTER TO HOST PANEL DISCUSSION MARKING THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF U.S. SUPREME COURT'S LANDMARK RULING IN PLYLER V. DOE

MALDEF and the University of Houston Law Center will host a panel discussion next week to mark the 35th anniversary of the United State Supreme Court’s historic ruling in Plyler v. Doe, which guaranteed all children access to a free public education from kindergarten to 12th grade, regardless of immigration status.

June 16, 2017   STATEMENT ON DISMISSAL OF SB 4 LAWSUIT AGAINST MALDEF BY STATE OF TEXAS

On May 8, the State of Texas named MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) in a preemptive lawsuit against those with the temerity to publicly challenge Texas SB 4, the anti-immigrant statute signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott, based solely on MALDEF’s stated intention to bring a court challenge against the draconian law.

June 15, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON DHS' DECISION TO RESCIND DAPA

Please attribute the following statement on the U.S Department of Homeland Security’s memo rescinding Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) to MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz:

June 15, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF U.S. SUPREME COURT'S LANDMARK RULING IN PLYLER V. DOE

On June 15th, 1982, the United States Supreme Court handed down a historic ruling that guaranteed all children access to a free public education from kindergarten to 12th grade, regardless of immigration status.

June 13, 2017   DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AGREES TO CHANGE POLICY THAT DENIED TUITION ASSISTANCE TO SOME UNITED STATES CITIZENS

The District of Columbia will no longer deny college tuition assistance to U.S. citizens based on their parents' immigration status, according to MALDEF.

June 12, 2017   FAMILIES & SCHOOL DISTRICTS SEEK COURT ACTION AGAINST STATE OF NEW MEXICO

A state-court trial will start Monday in a landmark education lawsuit that alleges New Mexico is violating the state constitutional rights of students placed at risk.

June 2, 2017   DON'T MESS WITH MALDEF

TEXAS SUED MALDEF FOR QUESTIONING THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF SB 4.

June 1, 2017   MALDEF SUES ON BEHALF OF SAN ANTONIO, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO STOP TEXAS SB 4

The City of San Antonio and three non-profit organizations are asking a federal court to block Texas from implementing Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), arguing that the controversial law is unconstitutional, according to a lawsuit filed this afternoon.

May 22, 2017   PRE-TRIAL HEARING IN LANDMARK NEW MEXICO EDUCATION CASE

A New Mexico court will consider, among other issues, whether to sanction state education officials for failing to disclose information to MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) in a landmark lawsuit that alleges New Mexico is violating the state constitutional rights of economically disadvantaged students.

May 19, 2017   DON'T MESS WITH MALDEF

THE STATE OF TEXAS IS SUING MALDEF BECAUSE WE THREATENED TO CHALLENGE SB 4. WE ARE NOW PREPARING THAT THREATENED SUIT AGAINST THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND ANTI-IMMIGRANT SB 4.

May 19, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON COURT RULING IN TEXAS SCHOOL FINANCING LAWSUIT

Please attribute the following statement on a Texas court ruling ordering state education officials to cease bypassing existing school funding rules to Marisa Bono, Southwest regional counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

May 16, 2017   MALDEF SUES NORTHERN CALIFORNIA MARKET, CLEANING FIRM FOR WORKPLACE HARASSMENT OF LATINOS

A grocery store in Northern California and a company it uses for janitorial services harassed Latino employees and unlawfully fired one of them after they complained about the hostile work environment, a federal lawsuit filed today by MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) on behalf of the workers charges.

May 15, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON ATTEMPT BY U.S. IMMIGRATION AGENT TO QUESTION STUDENT AT NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL

Please attribute the following statement on reports that an immigration agent sought a fourth-grade student at a New York City school to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

May 11, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON EXECUTIVE ORDER CREATING ELECTION COMMISSION

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) is providing the following statement on today’s executive order establishing an advisory commission on voter fraud.

May 8, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO TEXAS SB 4 LAWSUIT

Please attribute the following statement on the filing of a federal lawsuit today by the State of Texas against MALDEF to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

May 7, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON "ABBOTT'S FOLLY" -- SIGNING OF TEXAS "SANCTUARY CITIES" BILL INTO LAW

Please attribute the following statement on the signing by Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas' so-called "sanctuary cities" bill (SB 4) into law to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

May 4, 2017   TEXAS DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON SB 4

MALDEF is providing the following data on the potential impact of SB 4 on Texas residents. The information is based on the U.S. Census American Community Survey.

May 4, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TEXAS SB 4 "SANCTUARY CITIES" BILL

Please attribute the following statement to Marisa Bono, Southwest regional counsel, MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

April 28, 2017   MALDEF ASKS COURT TO REJECT TUCSON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT REQUEST FOR RELEASE FROM DESEGREGATION SUPERVISION

A request by the Tucson Unified School District to be released in part from court supervision of its desegregation plan is premature and should be rejected, attorneys for Latino students argued in an opposition brief submitted to a federal court today.

April 27, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TEXAS "SANCTUARY CITIES" BILL

Please attribute the following statement on Texas' so-called "sanctuary cities" bill, SB 4, to Marisa Bono, Southwest regional counsel, MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

April 27, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S ROLE IN EDUCATION POLICY

Please attribute this statement on Donald Trump’s executive order requiring the U.S. Department to review federal oversight of K-12 education policies to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund):

April 26, 2017   MALDEF SEEKS EMERGENCY ORDER TO REQUIRE TEXAS EDUCATION OFFICIALS TO COMPLY WITH SCHOOL FUNDING RULES

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) is asking a state court to issue an emergency order to stop Texas education officials from continuing to illegally bypass existing rules involving school funding.

April 25, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON RULING BLOCKING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S THREAT TO WITHHOLD FEDERAL FUNDS FROM SANCTUARY COMMUNITIES

Please attribute this statement on U.S. District Judge William Orrick’s ruling that Donald Trump’s executive order threatening to pull funding from sanctuary communities is unconstitutional to Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund:

April 24, 2017   FIRST LATINA U.S. SENATOR JOINS MALDEF IN HONORING WOMEN'S RIGHTS ICON AND LATINO LEADERS AT ANNUAL WASHINGTON, D.C. AWARDS GALA

U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), the first Latina to be elected to the United States Senate, will be the featured speaker on Thursday, April 27, at the 2017 MALDEF Awards Gala in Washington, D.C.

April 20, 2017   FEDERAL COURT RULES 2011 TEXAS STATE HOUSE REDISTRCITING PLAN VIOLATES FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS LAW

A federal court on Thursday struck down a 2011 redistricting plan for the Texas State House on the grounds that it is racially discriminatory and unlawfully dilutes the voting strength of Latinos.

April 12, 2017   MALDEF SUES ILLINOIS SHERIFF FOR UNLAWFULLY HOLDING A LATINO FATHER ON FEDERAL IMMIGRATION DETAINER

An Illinois man who has been unlawfully detained by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office on an indefinite "immigration hold" is asking a federal court to step in, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday.

March 31, 2017   MALDEF DENOUNCES GORSUCH REFUSAL TO MEET WITH FIRST LATINA SENATOR IN U.S. HISTORY

Please attribute the following statement to MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz:

March 30, 2017   TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY AND COMMISSIONER SUED OVER ILLEGAL CHANGES TO SCHOOL FUNDING SYSTEM

Texas education officials illegally changed how property taxes are calculated in wealthy school districts, with the effect of substantially reducing the funds available for schools in poorer districts, a lawsuit filed Thursday charged.

March 27, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO CONFIRMATION OF NEIL GORSUCH TO THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT

Consistent with its mission to promote through the legal system the civil rights of all Latinos living in the United States, MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) has generally taken a public position in support of or in opposition to Supreme Court nominees.

March 23, 2017   MALDEF WARNS ANTELOPE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRCT OF LEGAL ACTION OVER ELECTION SYSTEM

The Antelope Valley Community College District’s current at-large system used to elect the five-member Governing Board violates the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA), according to a civil rights group.

March 22, 2017   MALDEF URGES SANTA ANA OFFICIALS TO REJECT ANY PROPOSAL TO RENEW ICE CONTRACT

MALDEF sent a letter Tuesday to the Santa Ana City Council urging officials to reject a proposal to negotiate a new contract with federal immigration authorities.

March 11, 2017   FEDERAL COURT DECLARES TEXAS 2011 CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING PLAN ILLEGAL, MALDEF SECURES VICTORY FOR LATINO VOTERS

A federal court ruled Friday that the Texas Legislature’s 2011 redistricting plan for congress discriminated against Latino voters in violation of the federal Voting Rights Act and the U.S. Constitution.

February 28, 2017   U.S.-BORN STUDENT SUES WASHINGTON, D.C. AFTER DENIAL OF FINANCIAL AID BASED ON HER PARENT'S IMMIGRATION STATUS

A U.S. citizen who was denied college financial aid solely because her mother is an immigrant with temporary status is suing the District of Columbia, according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday.

February 23, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON APPELLATE COURT LIMITING INTERPRETATION OF TEXAS HARBORING STATUTE

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) challenged a provision of Texas’s HB 11 that made it a new state felony to "harbor" someone in the United States without legal documents.

February 23, 2017   MALDEF CALLS ON CITIES AND COUNTIES TO REJECT 287(G) IMMIGRATION AGREEMENTS

Please attribute the following statement on the Trump administration's plan to revive and expand the use of the controversial program known as 287 (g) that deputizes local law enforcement officers to act as immigration agents to MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz.

February 11, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON RECENT ICE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY

MALDEF is greatly concerned about widespread reports of increased federal immigration activities in the interior of the United States.

February 7, 2017   MALDEF REAFFIRMS OPPOSITION TO CONFIRMATION OF SESSIONS

Please attribute the following statement on the confirmation process of Sen. Jeff Sessions to be U.S. Attorney General to MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz.

February 2, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON TEXAS GOVERNOR'S THREAT TO DEFUND “SANCTUARY CITIES”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday during his State of the State address that he will ban so-called “sanctuary cities,” and withhold funding from those jurisdictions that decline to engage in federal immigration enforcement.

February 2, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT OPPOSING CONFIRMATION OF DEVOS AS EDUCATION SECRETARY

Please attribute the following statement opposing confirmation of Betsy DeVos as U.S. Secretary of Education to MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz.

February 1, 2017   FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS TO HEAR ORAL ARGUMENT ON PASADENA, TEXAS FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT CASE

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) will present oral argument to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017. MALDEF will be arguing in opposition to a request by the City of Pasadena, Texas to use the election system that was struck down by a lower court in the City’s 2017 municipal elections.

January 30, 2017   WELLS FARGO SUED FOR DISCRIMINATORY LENDING PRACTICES AGAINST CERTAIN IMMIGRANTS

Wells Fargo & Co. illegally denied qualified applicants, including a college student, loans because of their immigration status, according to a federal lawsuit filed Monday.

January 25, 2017   MALDEF STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ACTION ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT

Please attribute the following statement on today's announced changes to immigration enforcement to MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz.

January 20, 2017   IMMIGRANT AND CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS SEEK TO HALT DISCRIMINATORY ARIZONA DRIVER'S LICENSE POLICY

Civil and immigrants' rights attorneys asked a federal court on Friday to temporarily block Arizona from continuing to deny certain lawfully present immigrants, including survivors of domestic violence, access to driver's licenses.

January 19, 2017   MEDIA ADVISORY

Civil and immigrants’ rights groups will present oral argument before a federal court on January 20th, asking the judge to issue a preliminary injunction ordering Arizona to provide driver’s licenses to applicants who have received deferred action.

January 6, 2017   FEDERAL COURT RULES PASADENA, TEXAS VIOLATED VOTING RIGHTS ACT

The City of Pasadena, Texas illegally and intentionally sought to dilute Latino voting power when it changed the system used to elect its city council members, in violation of the federal Voting Rights Act, a federal judge ruled Friday.

January 3, 2017   FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS TO HEAR ARGUMENT ON TEXAS IMMIGRANT HARBORING LAW ON JANUARY 4, 2017

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) will present oral argument at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, asking the court to uphold a federal court’s preliminary injunction blocking Texas from enforcing a provision in HB 11 that makes it a crime to harbor or conceal someone who is in the U.S. without legal documents.

December 16, 2016   CHAFFEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT VOTES TO CHANGE ELECTION SYSTEM

Chaffey Community College District voted Thursday to change the way it elects representatives to the five-member Governing Board.

December 2, 2016   MALDEF URGES DHS SEC. JOHNSON TO END USE OF PRIVATE PRISON OPERATORS FOR IMMIGRATION DETENTION

Please attribute the following statement on the recommendations released Thursday by the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) on the use of private, for-profit immigration jails to Andrea Senteno, a legislative staff attorney with MALDEF. Senteno provided comment during a recent public meeting of the HSAC.

December 1, 2016   MALDEF STATEMENT ON REP. BECERRA'S APPOINTMENT TO BE CA ATTORNEY GENERAL

Please attribute the following statement on Rep. Xavier Becerra's appointment to be the next attorney general of California to MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz.

November 23, 2016   MALDEF SUES KING CITY OFFICIALS OVER UNCONSTITUTIONAL IMPOUND POLICY

Two Latino residents are suing King City officials and a local towing company for illegally seizing their vehicles without a warrant and then demanding exorbitant fees to recover the cars.

November 18, 2016   MALDEF RELEASES INITIAL FACT SHEET EXPLAINING IMMIGRANTS’ RIGHTS UNDER PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) today released a fact sheet designed to help students, educators, and social service providers navigate the potential implications of a Trump presidency on immigration policy.

November 18, 2016   MALDEF AND NDLON ANNOUNCE JOINT IMMIGRANT CIVIL RIGHTS DEFENSE EFFORT

Less than two weeks after Donald J. Trump was elected president, two national civil rights groups announced the launch of a joint legal defense fund aimed at protecting and advancing immigrants' civil rights in the United States.

November 16, 2016   MALDEF APPLAUDS TEXAS BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR REJECTING OFFENSIVE TEXTBOOK

Texas education officials on Wednesday said no to a controversial Mexican American Studies textbook, in a 14-0 preliminary vote.

November 16, 2016   FEDERAL TRIAL BEGINS OVER VOTING RIGHTS IN PASADENA, TEXAS

A federal court trial begins Thursday in a closely watched lawsuit that alleges voting discrimination against Latinos in Pasadena, Texas.

November 11, 2016   MALDEF HONORS THREE EXEMPLARY LEADERS AT 2016 ANNUAL LOS ANGELES AWARDS GALA

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) hosted its annual 2016 awards gala on Thursday.

November 10, 2016   MALDEF STATEMENT ON REPORTS OF POST ELECTION BULLYING AT CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS

In the aftermath of Tuesday's election, reports have surfaced of problems at schools, including anti-immigrant bullying.

November 9, 2016   MALDEF STATEMENT ON THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Please attribute the following statement to MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz.

November 3, 2016   MALDEF DEMANDS TEXAS COUNTIES STOP PROVIDING FALSE VOTER ID INFORMATION

MALDEF is demanding that election officials in Dewitt and Harris Counties, Texas stop providing false information about voter identification rules at polling places.

November 2, 2016   MALDEF THREATENS VICTOR VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT WITH LEGAL ACTION OVER AT-LARGE VOTING SYSTEM

In a letter sent today to Victor Valley Community College District officials, MALDEF warned that the current at-large system used to elect the five-member Board of Trustees violates the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA).

October 28, 2016   MALDEF WINS COURT ORDER REQUIRING BEXAR COUNTY ELECTION OFFICIALS TO REMOVE ILLEGAL VOTER ID SIGNS

A state judge today ordered election officials in Bexar County, Texas to immediately remove all illegal voter ID signs from the early voting polling places and replace them with accurate information.

October 28, 2016   MALDEF WARNS CHAFFEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT OF LEGAL ACTION OVER ELECTION SYSTEM

In a letter sent today to Chaffey Community College District President Henry D. Shannon, MALDEF warned that the current at-large system used to elect the five-member Governing Board violates the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA) by diluting the Latino vote and preventing Latino voters from electing candidates of their choice to serve on the board.

October 28, 2016   MALDEF FILES LAWSUIT IN TEXAS CHALLENGING BEXAR COUNTY'S IMPLEMENTATION OF ILLEGAL VOTER ID LAW

Bexar County officials are illegally enforcing the Texas voter ID law struck down as racially discriminatory, according to a lawsuit filed Monday.

October 21, 2016   LARGEST COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT IN THE U.S. COULD FACE LAWSUIT OVER ELECTION SYSTEM

The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) must change the way it elects members to its Board of Trustees or face legal action, according to MALDEF.

October 14, 2016   MALDEF ENDORSES CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 62, URGES "YES" VOTE TO END DEATH PENALTY

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) today announces its endorsement of California’s Proposition 62.

October 13, 2016   MALDEF MOURNS THE LOSS OF JACK GREENBERG

MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz and former President and General Counsel Vilma S. Martinez today issued the following statements in response to the passing of Jack Greenberg, a crusading civil rights attorney who served as the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund’s Director-Counsel from 1961 to 1984, and was instrumental in helping establish MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund).

October 12, 2016   MALDEF LAUNCHES FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND TOOLKIT TO ASSIST UNDOCUMENTED YOUTH APPLYING FOR DACA

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) today released a first-of-its-kind toolkit designed to help undocumented youth obtain the critical records needed to apply for temporary relief from deportation under President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative.

October 6, 2016   MALDEF FINDS DOZENS OF TEXAS COUNTIES ARE VIOLATING FEDERAL LAW BY FAILING TO PROVIDE BILINGUAL VOTING INFORMATION

Dozens of counties in Texas are violating the federal Voting Rights Act by failing to provide bilingual voting information on their websites, including information on polling places, according to MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund).

October 5, 2016   MALDEF ENDORSES CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 58, URGES "YES" VOTE

MALDEF announced today its strong support for Proposition 58, one of many statewide initiatives on the California ballot on November 8.

October 3, 2016   MALDEF STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT'S DECISION TO DENY REHEARING OF DAPA/DACA CASE

The United States Supreme Court today denied a petition to rehear United States v. Texas, a case challenging the constitutionality of President Obama's executive actions on immigration, including the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the initiation of Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA).

September 22, 2016   MALDEF ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS AND RELEASES 2016-2017 LAW SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

MALDEF is pleased today to announce the recipients in its 2015-2016 Law School Scholarship Program.

September 21, 2016   COURT RULES THAT LAWSUIT CAN MOVE FORWARD ON BEHALF OF LATINO, BLACK STUDENTS FACING DISCRIMINATION IN KERN COUNTY

A California District Court of Appeal panel has refused to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a coalition of civil rights groups against Kern High School District (KHSD) over disciplinary policies that unlawfully target African American and Latino students.

September 15, 2016   ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL ISSUES OPINION ESTABLISHING CONSTITUTIONAL STANDARDS FOR ENFORCEMENT OF KEY SB 1070 PROVISIONS, ENDING LAWSUIT

The Arizona Attorney General's Office today issued an opinion establishing guidelines for the implementation of two remaining provisions of the state's 2010 racial profiling law, SB 1070. With the opinion, the organizations that brought Valle del Sol et al. v. Whiting et al. have agreed to conclude this challenge to SB 1070, which has largely been rendered unenforceable by the courts.

September 14, 2016   MALDEF INVESTIGATION AND LETTER PROMPTS LA MIRADA CITY COUNCIL VOTE TO ADOPT BY-DISTRICT ELECTION SYSTEM

The La Mirada City Council voted Tuesday to change its current at-large voting system to a district-based election system. The vote comes less than a month after the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) threatened to sue the city because it was in violation of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA).

September 13, 2016   MALDEF AND TRANSGENDER LAW CENTER FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST INDIANA GOVERNOR MIKE PENCE CHALLENGING DISCRIMINATORY NAME-CHANGE LAW

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday by MALDEF and Transgender Law Center on behalf of a 31-year-old Indiana resident, alleges that a 2010 state law requiring proof of citizenship to obtain a change of legal name is unconstitutional.

September 13, 2016   IMMIGRANT AND CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS CHALLENGE ARIZONA LAW DENYING DRIVER'S LICENSES TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OTHER IMMIGRANTS

Immigrant and civil rights groups have filed a legal challenge to Arizona's policy of denying certain lawfully present immigrants access to driver's licenses.

September 9, 2016   MALDEF HONORS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THREE INDIVIDUALS IN ADVANCING LATINO COMMUNITY

On Friday, September 9, 2016, MALDEF, the nation's leading Latino legal civil rights organization, hosted its 2016 San Antonio Gala and honored the remarkable work and achievements of three influential leaders in advancing the Latino community.

September 6, 2016   FEDERAL COURT REJECTS KERN COUNTY MOTION, PERMITTING VOTING RIGHTS SUIT TO CONTINUE TOWARD RESOLUTION

A federal court today cleared the way for a lawsuit challenging Kern County's failure to comply with the 1965 Voting Rights Act to move to trial.

September 2, 2016   MALDEF FILES SUIT AGAINST UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA FOR BARRING DEFERRED ACTION STUDENTS ADMISSION TO SELECTIVE UNIVERSITIES

Three students are suing the University System of Georgia because of policies that ban them from attending the state’s top school because of their immigration classification. The lawsuit was filed today by MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) and Horsley Begnaud, LLC on behalf of three immigrant students who were granted deportation deferrals through the Obama Administration’s 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals initiative, known as DACA.

September 1, 2016   MALDEF SUPPORTS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS TO ENSURE SCHOOL FUNDING GETS TO STUDENTS IT IS SUPPOSED TO SUPPORT

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).

August 31, 2016   DACA RECIPIENTS' PRIVATE INFORMATION IS SAFE FOR TIME BEING

A federal judge in Texas today left in place a stay on a prior order requiring that the personal information of some 50,000 immigrant youth be handed over to the court.

August 30, 2016   TEACHER REASSIGNED AFTER BANNING STUDENTS FROM SPEAKING SPANISH IN CLASS

A third-grade teacher who punished her students for speaking Spanish in her classroom has been reassigned just days after MALDEF contacted school officials about the incident.

August 24, 2016   FEDERAL COURT CLEARS THE WAY FOR MALDEF'S VOTING RIGHTS LAWSUIT AGAINST PASADENA, TEXAS TO MOVE TO TRIAL

U.S. District Court Judge Lee H. Rosenthal's decision comes nearly two years after MALDEF first sued Pasadena on behalf of five Hispanic residents when city officials moved to replace the eight single-member voting districts with a hybrid system that includes two at-large seats. The lawsuit argues the new system seeks to dilute Hispanic voting strength.

August 11, 2016   MALDEF DEMANDS VICTOR VALLEY UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT CHANGE ITS AT-LARGE BOARD ELECTION SYSTEM

Today, MALDEF sent a letter to the Board President and Superintendent of the Victor Valley Union High School District ("Victor Valley UHSD"), demanding that the system for electing members to the Board of Trustees be changed to comply with the California Voting Rights Act ("CVRA").

August 10, 2016   MALDEF DEMANDS CITY OF MONROVIA CHANGE ITS AT-LARGE ELECTION SYSTEM

Today, MALDEF sent a letter to the Mayor of Monrovia and the Monrovia City Council, demanding that the system for electing members to the city council be changed to comply with the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA).

August 9, 2016   MALDEF DEMANDS CITY OF CHINO HILLS CHANGE ITS AT-LARGE ELECTION SYSTEM

Today, MALDEF sent a letter to the Mayor of Chino Hills and the Chino Hills City Council, demanding that the system for electing members to the city council be changed to comply with the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA).

August 3, 2016   MALDEF DEMANDS CITY OF LA MIRADA CHANGE ITS AT-LARGE ELECTION SYSTEM

Today, MALDEF sent a letter to the Mayor of La Mirada and the La Mirada City Council, demanding that the system for electing members to the city council be changed to comply with the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA).

August 2, 2016   MALDEF LAWSUIT COMPELS TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNOR BRUCE RAUNER'S APPOINTMENTS TO STATE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Today, MALDEF announced the favorable outcome from a lawsuit it filed against Illinois Governor, Bruce Rauner, in April, seeking enforcement of the Illinois Gubernatorial Boards and Commissions Act ("The Act"). The Act requires Governor Rauner to publish information about the ethnicity, gender and disability status of applicants and appointees to state boards and commissions.

July 25, 2016   MALDEF SUIT STOPS EXCLUSION OF MEXICAN AMERICANS FROM "WHITES ONLY" CEMETERY

A MALDEF lawsuit filed in April aimed at stopping the exclusion of Mexican Americans from being buried in a "Whites Only" Cemetery came to a swift end Friday when the Normanna Cemetery Association agreed in court that its policy is discriminatory and violates the rights of Latinos.

July 15, 2016   MALDEF DEMANDS CITY OF REDLANDS CHANGE ITS AT-LARGE ELECTION SYSTEM

Today, MALDEF sent a letter to the Mayor of Redlands and the Redlands City Council, demanding that the system for electing members to the city council be changed to comply with the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA).

June 23, 2016   MALDEF/ LATINOJUSTICE PRLDEF STATEMENTS ON U.S. SUPREME COURT AFFIRMATION OF RACE-CONSCIOUS ADMISSIONS PROGRAMS

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.

June 23, 2016   MALDEF DENOUNCES SUPREME COURT FAILURE TO ACT ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON IMMIGRATION

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.

June 22, 2016   MALDEF LAWSUIT AGAINST MICHIGAN COMPANIES FOR IMMIGRANT LABOR VIOLATIONS CONTINUES AS PLAINTIFF GRANTED CLASS CERTIFICATION

Yesterday, Judge Stephen J. Murphy of the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Michigan ruled that MALDEF's lawsuit against Systems USA Inc. and Systems USA Consulting LLC for violating the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) should proceed as a class action.

June 13, 2016   MALDEF MOURNS VICTIMS OF HATE-DRIVEN ACT OF DOMESTIC TERRORISM IN ORLANDO

MALDEF President and General Counsel, Thomas A. Saenz, releases a statement in reaction to the tragic loss of so many innocent lives this past weekend in Orlando, Florida.

June 10, 2016   MALDEF CALLS ON TEXAS LAWMAKERS TO BRING THE STATE'S SCHOOL FUNDING SYSTEM INTO 21ST CENTURY

MALDEF welcomes Texas House Speaker Joe Straus' directive to his colleagues to review key aspects of Texas' school finance system and to make recommendations that would improve its efficiency and educational quality.

June 8, 2016   NATIONAL LATINO LEADERS DENOUNCE DONALD TRUMP'S ATTACKS ON JUDGE CURIEL

Today, leading national Latino organizations came together in a telephonic press briefing to denounce the racist rhetoric aimed at U.S. District Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel by Donald Trump.

June 7, 2016   JUDGE HANEN AGREES TO STAY HIS ORDER TO TURN OVER PERSONAL INFORMATION ON 50,000 IMMIGRANT YOUTH

MALDEF was in United States District court today seeking to stop the federal government's release of personal information on ten of thousands of young immigrants.

May 31, 2016   COURT RULES THAT LAWSUIT CAN CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR LATINO, BLACK STUDENTS IN KERN COUNTY

A ruling last week by the Kern County Superior Court denied the Kern High School District's (KHSD) request to dismiss the discrimination lawsuit filed against it by Latino and Black students.

May 26, 2016   MALDEF DEMANDS CITY OF RIALTO CHANGE ITS AT-LARGE ELECTION SYSTEM

Today, MALDEF sent a letter to the Mayor of Rialto and the Rialto City Council, demanding that the system for electing members to the city council be changed to comply with the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA).

May 20, 2016   TRIAL JUDGE SEEKS PRIVATE INFORMATION ABOUT IMMIGRANTS IN DAPA/DACA CASE

A federal judge in Brownsville, Texas has ordered that the federal government provide him the names and addresses of over 100,000 recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in Texas v. United States, the pivotal case challenging the constitutionality of President Obama's executive actions on immigration.

May 19, 2016   MALDEF DEMANDS SEQUOIA UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT CHANGE ITS AT-LARGE BOARD ELECTION SYSTEM

Today, MALDEF sent a letter to the Board President and Superintendent of the Sequoia Union High School District ("Sequoia UHSD"), demanding that the system for electing members of the board of trustees be changed to comply with the California Voting Rights Act ("CVRA").

May 13, 2016   ELL AND LOW-INCOME STUDENTS RELEGATED TO CONTINUED INEQUITY AFTER TEXAS SUPREME COURT'S DEVASTATING SCHOOL FINANCE RULING

Today, in a disappointing blow to equal educational opportunity, the Texas Supreme Court reversed a 2014 trial court ruling that declared the current state school finance system constitutionally inadequate, unsuitable, and inequitable for Texas school children.

April 29, 2016   MALDEF SUES TO END "WHITES ONLY" CEMETERY IN TEXAS

Today, MALDEF filed a lawsuit in a Texas federal court against the Normanna Cemetery Association and its caretaker for maintaining a policy of burying only Anglos in the San Domingo Cemetery, in violation of state and federal prohibitions on race and national origin discrimination.

April 22, 2016   MALDEF SUES KERN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR VIOLATING FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT

Today, MALDEF filed suit against the Kern County, California Board of Supervisors, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, for violating Section 2 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.

April 18, 2016   MALDEF PRESENTS ORAL ARGUMENT TO SCOTUS IN DEFENSE OF DAPA IN PIVOTAL IMMIGRATION CASE

Today, MALDEF President and General Counsel, Thomas A. Saenz, presented oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Texas, a case challenging the constitutionality of President Obama's executive actions on immigration, including the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the initiation of Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA).

April 14, 2016   MALDEF WINS COURT ORDER BLOCKING TEXAS IMMIGRANT HARBORING LAW

Today, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the immigrant harboring provision of HB11, which was enacted in the 2015 Texas Legislative Session.

April 13, 2016   CITY OF BALDWIN PARK SETTLES SUIT BROUGHT BY FATHER UNLAWFULLY DETAINED IN VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA TRUST ACT

Today, MALDEF and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) announced a settlement in the first-ever lawsuit alleging violations of California's TRUST Act, which limits the situations in which local law enforcement agencies may detain individuals on the basis of immigration hold requests.

April 12, 2016   THREE STATE LEGISLATORS SEEK TO JOIN LAWSUIT AGAINST NEW MEXICO TAXATION AND REVENUE DEPARTMENT

Today, MALDEF and its co-counsel announced that three New Mexico state legislators have filed a request to join a lawsuit to block the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department and Secretary Demesia Padilla (collectively, "TRD") from continuing to unlawfully withhold millions of dollars from immigrant taxpayers who use federal Individual Tax Identification Numbers ("ITINs") to file their returns.

April 6, 2016   FEDERAL APPEALS COURT REAFFIRMS ARIZONA UNCONSTITUTIONALLY DENIED DRIVERS LICENSES TO IMMIGRANT YOUTH

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday affirmed a lower court's ruling that permanently blocks Arizona from denying driver's licenses to immigrants who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

April 5, 2016   MALDEF SUES TO ENFORCE TRANSPARENCY IN ILLINOIS GOVERNOR BRUCE RAUNER'S APPOINTMENTS TO STATE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Late last week, MALDEF filed a lawsuit against Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner asking the court to order the Governor to comply with the Illinois Gubernatorial Boards and Commissions Act ("the Act"). The Act requires Governor Rauner to publish information about the ethnicity, gender and disability status of applicants and appointees to state boards and commissions.

April 4, 2016   MALDEF JOINS FORCES WITH GOLDSTEIN, BORGEN, DARDARIAN & HO TO DEMAND CITY OF EASTVALE CHANGE ITS UNLAWFUL AT-LARGE ELECTION SYSTEM

Today, MALDEF and the law firm of Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian, & Ho sent a letter to the Mayor of Eastvale and the Eastvale City Council, demanding that the system for electing members to the city council be changed to comply with the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA).

April 4, 2016   MALDEF ACCLAIMS SUPREME COURT DECISION ENDING RIGHT-WING ASSAULT ON LATINO VOTING POWER

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision upholding the long-standing and ubiquitous practice of equalizing electoral districts based on total population. The ruling came in a case, Evenwel v. Abbott, challenging the use of total population under the "one person, one vote" doctrine.

March 31, 2016   MALDEF AND CO-COUNSEL SEEK INJUNCTION AGAINST NEW MEXICO TAXATION AND REVENUE DEPARTMENT

This week, MALDEF formally requested an injunction in state district court against the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department and Secretary Demesia Padilla (collectively, "TRD") to prevent them from continuing to unlawfully withhold millions of dollars from immigrant taxpayers who use federal Individual Tax Identification Numbers ("ITINs") to file their tax returns until two pending lawsuits, originally filed in February of 2015, are resolved.

March 29, 2016   MALDEF DEMANDS LAWNDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT CHANGE ITS UNLAWFUL AT-LARGE BOARD ELECTION SYSTEM

Today, MALDEF sent a letter to the Board President and Superintendent of the Lawndale Elementary School District ("Lawndale ESD"), demanding that the system for electing members of the board of trustees be changed to comply with the California Voting Rights Act ("CVRA").

March 25, 2016   MALDEF AND PARTNERS URGE ARIZONA GOVERNOR TO OPPOSE UNCONSTITUTIONAL ANTI-IMMIGRANT BILL

MALDEF and five other legal organizations that advocate for the rights of immigrants sent a letter to Gov. Doug Ducey yesterday explaining the severe legal and policy implications of an unconstitutional, anti-immigrant bill that is moving in the Arizona Legislature.

March 9, 2016   MALDEF FILES SUIT AGAINST UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA FOR DENYING DEFERRED ACTION STUDENTS IN-STATE TUITION

Today, MALDEF, along with local counsel Horsley Begnaud, LLC, filed a federal-court lawsuit against the University System of Georgia, challenging a policy denying in-state tuition to individuals lawfully present as recipients of deferred action from the United States government.

February 25, 2016   MALDEF AND CITY OF PLACENTIA REACH AGREEMENT ON PROCESS TO PROVIDE LATINOS EQUAL VOTING POWER

The agreement calls for a host of actions to be taken by the Placentia City Council, including placing a Charter Amendment Measure on a statewide general or special election ballot that will convert the current at-large election system to one that is district-based.

February 10, 2016   FALLBROOK PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT SETTLES MALDEF VOTING RIGHTS SUIT

Today, MALDEF reached a settlement agreement with the Fallbrook Public Utility District (FPUD) in San Diego County, California to change its current at-large election system to a by-district system for each of the five seats on the FPUD Board of Directors.

January 26, 2016   MALDEF DEFEATS REPEATED EFFORTS BY NATIONAL AIRLINE CLEANING COMPANY TO AVOID TRIAL IN EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION CASE

Today, MALDEF defeated yet another effort by the national airline cleaning company Gate Gourmet, Inc. to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the company's unlawful employment practices.

January 25, 2016   MALDEF FILES LAWSUIT CHALLENGING TEXAS IMMIGRANT HARBORING LAW

Today, MALDEF filed a legal challenge to Texas House Bill 11's immigrant harboring provision, which targets workers at immigrant shelters and landlords who rent to undocumented immigrants.

January 19, 2016   AS COUNSEL FOR THE ONLY INTERVENORS IN TEXAS V. UNITED STATES, MALDEF WILL CONTINUE TO DEFEND CLIENTS AS SUPREME COURT REVIEWS IMMIGRATION CASE

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to review Texas v. United States, a case challenging the constitutionality of President Obama's executive actions on immigration, including the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the initiation of Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA).

January 12, 2016   COURT ALLOWS DISCRIMINATION SUIT AGAINST KERN COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION TO PROCEED

On December 31, 2015, the Kern County Superior Court ruled that Latino and Black Plaintiffs may proceed against the Kern County Office of Education and Superintendent Christine Lizardi Frazier with their claims that the agency and Superintendent failed to take steps to ensure that students in the Kern High School District (KHSD) and alternative schools run by the Kern COE were not subjected to discrimination and denied equal educational opportunity.

December 15, 2015   CALIFORNIA VIOLATES CIVIL RIGHTS OF LATINOS RECEIVING MEDI-CAL, COMPLAINT TO U.S. DEPT. OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ALLEGES

California violates the civil rights of millions of Latinos by providing low reimbursements to physicians and other care providers in the Medi-Cal program for low-income Californians, according to a complaint advocates filed with the federal government yesterday.

December 14, 2015   ACCESS TO IN-STATE GRANTS FOR TEXAS IMMIGRANT YOUTH SECURED AS SUIT DISMISSED

Late last week, in a resounding victory for Texas students, anti-immigrant advocates dropped a lawsuit that sought to deny state college aid to undocumented youth.

December 11, 2015   MALDEF DEMANDS THAT THE CITY OF PLACENTIA CHANGE ITS UNLAWFUL AT-LARGE CITY COUNCIL ELECTION SYSTEM

Today, MALDEF sent a letter to the City of Placentia, demanding that it convert its at-large elections system to a district-based system that affords Latino voters an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice to the Placentia City Council, in accordance with the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 ("CVRA").

December 8, 2015   MALDEF STATEMENT ON THE EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT OF 2015

MALDEF has long called for a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), but has insisted that any reauthorization must embody the law's civil rights legacy adapted to our nation's new and emerging demographics.

December 3, 2015   MALDEF WARNS CITY OF ANAHEIM THAT IT RISKS LIABILITY FOR VIOLATION OF LATINO VOTING RIGHTS

MALDEF and the California League of United Latin American Citizens ("CA LULAC") today sent a letter to Anaheim, California Mayor Tom Tait warning that delaying the election in the only district designed to provide a voting rights remedy to Latino voters puts the city at risk for liability under the federal Voting Rights Act and the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

November 23, 2015   MALDEF ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS AND RELEASES 2015-2016 LAW SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Today, MALDEF announced the scholarship recipients in its 2014-2015 Law School Scholarship Program.

November 20, 2015   MALDEF CLIENTS WILL JOIN OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AS PARTIES DEFENDING DACA/DAPA AS CASE MOVES TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT

Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued an order allowing MALDEF's clients, three mothers from south Texas who intend to apply for Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA), to participate as parties in the appeal recently decided by a Fifth Circuit panel.

November 10, 2015   MALDEF CLIENTS GRANTED INTERVENTION AS APPEAL ON EXECUTIVE ACTION ON IMMIGRATION MOVES TO U.S. SUPREME COURT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has granted MALDEF's clients the right to intervene in Texas v. United States, a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the expansion of the existing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and the creation of Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA).

November 9, 2015   MALDEF AND LATINOJUSTICE PRLDEF FILE U.S. SUPREME COURT BRIEF ON BEHALF OF LATINO ORGANIZATIONS ADDRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF CAMPUS DIVERSITY IN FISHER V. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

MALDEF and LatinoJustice PRLDEF filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court last Monday in Fisher v. University of Texas on behalf of 25 Texas and national Latina/o organizations, including UT students in support of the race-conscious college admissions plan.

October 27, 2015   MALDEF AND TUCSON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AGREE ON PROPOSAL TO GIVE MAGNET SCHOOLS NEEDED SUPPORT AND TO DEFER ANY WITHDRAWAL OF MAGNET STATUS

On Friday of last week, a stipulation to provide Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) magnet schools needed support was filed in the historic desegregation case, Mendoza v. Tucson Unified School District. Under the court-adopted Unitary Status Plan (USP) developed by the parties and Special Master to resolve the 40-year old case, magnet schools are to strengthen their students' academic achievement and increase integration.

October 5, 2015   CIVIL RIGHTS COALITION CONTINUES BATTLE AGAINST ARIZONA'S NATIVIST LAW, SB 1070

Plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Arizona's SB 1070, Valle del Sol v. Whiting, announced Monday that they will appeal part of the trial court's summary judgment decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

September 18, 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

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.

September 9, 2015   CALIFORNIA GOV. BROWN SIGNS MALDEF-SPONSORED BILL TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM ARBITRARY DISCRIMINATION

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.

August 31, 2015   MALDEF TO ADVOCATE EQUITABLE EDUCATION FOR ALL TEXAS SCHOOL CHILDREN BEFORE TEXAS SUPREME COURT

On Tuesday, September 1, 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM CDT, MALDEF will present oral argument before the Texas Supreme Court in Texas Taxpayer and Student Fairness Coalition vs. Williams, the largest school funding case in Texas history.

August 11, 2015   CALIFORNIA GOV. BROWN SIGNS MALDEF-SPONSORED BILL PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF CHILD VICTIMS IN COURT

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.

August 6, 2015   MALDEF WELCOMES FIFTH CIRCUIT RULING THAT TEXAS VOTER ID LAW VIOLATES THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT

Yesterday, on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the federal Voting Rights Act, MALDEF—which litigated against Texas Voter ID in the preclearance phase—congratulated the plaintiffs and welcomed the Fifth Circuit ruling that the Texas voter ID law disproportionately impacts Hispanic and African-American voters, violating Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA).

July 17, 2015   MALDEF CHALLENGES FULLERTON JOINT UNION HIGH SCHOOL BOARD ELECTORAL PROCESS

MALDEF today sent a letter to Fullerton Joint Union High School District, demanding that it change its at-large elections system to a district-based system that affords Latino voters an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice to the Fullerton Joint Union High School Board, in accordance with the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 ("CVRA").

July 10, 2015   MALDEF ARGUES FOR INTERVENTION IN IMMIGRATION DISCRETION CASE IN FIFTH CIRCUIT

This morning, MALDEF Vice President of Litigation Nina Perales will present oral argument before a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to argue for the intervention of three potential applicants for Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) in Texas v. United States, a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of DAPA and the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which was first implemented in 2012.

June 25, 2015   MALDEF STATEMENT SUPPORTING NEW VOTING RIGHTS ADVANCEMENT BILL

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.

June 24, 2015   MALDEF SUES FALLBROOK PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT FOR VIOLATING CALIFORNIA VOTING RIGHTS ACT

Today, MALDEF filed suit against Fallbrook Public Utility District, in San Diego Superior Court, for violating the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). The District uses an at-large method to elect its Board Members, and as a result there has been no Latino representation on the Board for decades.

June 19, 2015   POMONA COLLEGE FACES TRIAL IN TENURE DISCRIMINATION CASE

Yesterday, L.A. County Superior Court Judge Ernest Hiroshige denied a Pomona College effort to avoid trial in a lawsuit MALDEF filed against the college in the summer of 2013 for race and gender discrimination.

June 4, 2015   EXPERT HIRED BY KERN HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT FINDS EVIDENCE OF BIAS AGAINST AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS

African American and Latino Plaintiffs suing Kern High School District and other state and county officials in a civil rights action were not surprised to hear that an expert, Dr. Jon Eyler, presented a report to the Kern High School District indicating that African American students are subject to double the rates of discipline as white students.

June 3, 2015   MALDEF DEMANDS SYSTEMIC ELECTORAL CHANGES IN CITY OF GARDEN GROVE, CALIFORNIA

Today, MALDEF sent a letter to the City Manager and City Attorney for the City of Garden Grove, demanding that the system for electing city council members be changed to comply with the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). Garden Grove currently elects city council members using an at-large method that has denied Latino residents the opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. MALDEF demands the system be changed to a district-based system.

May 7, 2015   MALDEF FILES SUIT ON BEHALF OF AIRPLANE CLEANERS FACING HARASSMENT FOR SPEAKING SPANISH IN THE WORKPLACE

Today, MALDEF filed a lawsuit against Gate Gourmet for unlawful employment practices. Gate Gourmet, a contracted cleaning service for Delta Airlines at LAX, illegally prohibited its employees, including those who only speak Spanish, from using Spanish during work hours, including rest and meal breaks, and threatened to replace employees who complained about management.

May 6, 2015   MALDEF VICTORIOUS AS STATE COURT DECLARES MARICOPA COUNTY DREAMERS ELIGIBLE FOR ARIZONA IN-STATE TUITION

Late Tuesday, Judge Arthur T. Anderson of the Superior Court of Arizona ruled that students granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are eligible for in-state tuition at the Maricopa County Community College District.

April 29, 2015   STATEMENT ON BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP HEARING IN U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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:

March 20, 2015   MALDEF DEMANDS SYSTEMIC ELECTORAL CHANGES IN FALLBROOK PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT

This week, MALDEF sent a letter to several Fallbrook Public Utility District Board Members, demanding that the system for electing board members be changed to comply with the California Voting Rights Act.

March 19, 2015   MALDEF CONDEMNS "THE REAL" SEGMENT STEREOTYPING MEXICAN CULTURE

MALDEF condemns the decision by producers of Fox daily talk show "The Real" to dress their hosts in costumes stereotyping Mexican culture during a recent segment on cooking quesadillas on March 10, 2015.

March 16, 2015   MALDEF SUPPORTS LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO HELP FIX UNCONSTITUTIONAL TEXAS SCHOOL FINANCING SYSTEM

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.

March 3, 2015   CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY MEMBER DAVID CHIU INTRODUCES BILL EXTENDING PROTECTIONS AGAINST IMMIGRATION-RELATED EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION

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 Assembly Member David Chiu last week introduced AB 1065, a bill extending state-law employment protections against immigration-related discrimination, a bill that MALDEF sponsors.

March 3, 2015   MALDEF SUPPORTS CALIFORNIA BILL TO PROTECT RIGHTS OF MINORS SEEKING JUDICIAL REDRESS FOR SUFFERING HARM

MALDEF proudly sponsors AB 560, a bill introduced last week by California Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez (D-51), that would bar immigration status from consideration in civil court proceedings in which child victims seek damages for intentional or negligent acts that harm them.

February 24, 2015   FEDERAL JUDGE RULES THAT LAWSUIT UNDER CALIFORNIA TRUST ACT MUST BE HEARD IN STATE COURT

Late Monday, United States District Court Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald granted Plaintiffs' motion to remand a lawsuit for violation of the California TRUST Act back to State Superior Court in Los Angeles. MALDEF, together with co-counsel from the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) and the Immigrant Rights Clinic at the University of California at Irvine School of Law, filed the action in state court on October 8, 2014.

February 17, 2015   AFTER JUDGE DENIES INTERVENTION THEN TEMPORARILY HALTS ADMINISTRATIVE IMMIGRATION RELIEF, MALDEF REACTS WITH COMMITMENT TO APPEAL

After a federal judge in Brownsville, Texas, late Monday night announced his order to temporarily halt administrative relief, MALDEF announced plans to appeal the judge's earlier denial of intervention to three individuals intending to seek deferred action under President Obama's announced program of reasoned prosecutorial discretion.

February 12, 2015   MALDEF AND CO-COUNSEL FILE LAWSUITS AGAINST NEW MEXICO TAXATION AND REVENUE DEPARTMENT

Today, MALDEF filed two lawsuits in state district court against the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department and Secretary Demesia Padilla (collectively, "TRD") for unlawfully withholding millions of dollars from immigrant taxpayers using federal Individual Tax Identification Numbers ("ITINs") to file their tax returns.

January 23, 2015   MALDEF SEEKS TO INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED BY THE PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE ACTION ON IMMIGRATION

Last week, MALDEF and pro bono counsel, O'Melveny & Myers and Frank Costilla, filed a motion to intervene on behalf of three individuals who would qualify for relief under the administrative action on immigration announced last year by President Barack Obama.

January 23, 2015   FEDERAL COURT PERMANENTLY BLOCKS DISCRIMINATORY ARIZONA BAN ON DRIVERS LICENSES FOR IMMIGRANT YOUTH

Late yesterday, a federal district court judge in Arizona permanently blocked a ban on drivers' licenses for immigrant youth ordered by Governor Jan Brewer.

January 15, 2015   CITY OF BELLFLOWER AGREES TO LET VOTERS DECIDE ON DISTRICT ELECTIONS

Today, the City of Bellflower voted to place on the November 2016 ballot an ordinance that would change the at-large election system to a by-district system for each of the seats on its City Council.

January 6, 2015   MALDEF SUES JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. FOR DISCRIMINATION AGAINST EMPLOYEE WITH HIV

MALDEF filed a lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase & Co. (Chase) in Los Angeles County Superior Court late last week for unlawful discrimination against former Vice President of Community Development Banking, Jesus Leon.

December 19, 2014   NINTH CIRCUIT REAFFIRMS MALDEF DESEGREGATION TRIUMPHS IN TUCSON, ARIZONA

Earlier this week, in two orders, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reaffirmed steps taken to move toward favorable resolution of the historic desegregation case, Mendoza v. Tucson Unified School District (TUSD).

December 17, 2014   SUPREME COURT REFUSES TO ALLOW ARIZONA TO DENY DRIVER'S LICENSES TO IMMIGRANT YOUTH

Immigrant youth will be allowed to receive driver's licenses in Arizona while the Supreme Court considers whether or not to hear an appeal of a Ninth Circuit ruling in Arizona Dream Act Coalition v. Brewer, a lawsuit challenging the state's denial of licenses to immigrants who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) under a federal program.

November 24, 2014   FEDERAL APPEALS COURT REJECTS ARIZONA'S REQUEST TO REHEAR DRIVER'S LICENSE CASE

Today, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected a request to reconsider its earlier ruling that Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's denial of driver's licenses to certain young immigrants is unconstitutional.

November 24, 2014   MALDEF ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS IN 2014 LAW SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR 2015

Today, MALDEF announced the twelve recipients of its 2014 law school scholarships, doubling the number of law school students receiving the scholarships from last year. MALDEF has annually awarded scholarships to five or more law students of up to $5000 each.

November 20, 2014   MALDEF STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S IMMIGRATION ACCOUNTABILITY EXECUTIVE ACTIONS

Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel, MALDEF, released the following statement today after President Obama announced his plan for executive action on immigration.

November 20, 2014   FEDERAL COURT: ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS PROTECT DACA RECIPIENTS

On the cusp of a critical presidential announcement of broadened affirmative relief for immigrants currently unprotected by law, an important decision emanated from federal court last week.

November 18, 2014   LGBT AND CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS: DON'T EXCLUDE LGBT IMMIGRANTS FROM AFFIRMATIVE RELIEF

LGBT and civil rights organizations strongly urge President Obama not to exclude long-resident LGBT individuals from the forthcoming program of administrative relief to protect from deportation some of the nation's population.

November 12, 2014   MALDEF CHALLENGES DISCRIMINATORY VOTING SYSTEM IN PASADENA, TEXAS

Today, MALDEF filed suit against the City of Pasadena, Texas, challenging the city's new voting system, which was adopted last November in a close election.

November 10, 2014   FEDERAL COURT REJECTS LATEST ATTEMPT TO CREATE DIFFERENT CLASSES OF CONSTITUENTS THROUGH EXCLUSIONARY REDISTRICTING

Last week, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas dismissed Evenwel v. Perry, a lawsuit which attempted to force the Texas Legislature to redraw its Senate District boundaries based on the voting electorate rather than total population numbers.

November 7, 2014   MALDEF PREVAILS IN TENTH CIRCUIT: WINS DECISION THAT KANSAS AND ARIZONA CANNOT BURDEN VOTER REGISTRATIONS

Today, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit reversed a decision by the federal district court in Kansas, which ordered the federal government to add onerous voter registration requirements to the federal voter registration form.

November 5, 2014   NATIONAL LATINO LEADERS CALL ON PRESIDENT TO FULFILL PROMISE WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY TO HALT DEPORTATIONS FOR MILLIONS

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, calls on President Barack Obama not to delay in fulfilling his promise to grant affirmative relief from deportation to as broad a range of undocumented immigrants as possible.

October 30, 2014   MALDEF POSITION ON ILLINOIS BALLOT PROPOSITIONS

Although midterm elections too often receive less attention than presidential elections, this November, voters nationwide will cast ballots to elect significant state and national leaders.

October 27, 2014   JUDGE ONCE AGAIN REJECTS DEFENDANTS' REQUEST FOR NEW TRIAL IN MALDEF WESTMINSTER POLICE CASE

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California once again rejected a request for a new trial in the Flores v. City of Westminster case late last week.

October 24, 2014   SANTA FE COURT DECLARES EDUCATION A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT AND ALLOWS LANDMARK EDUCATION CASE TO MOVE FORWARD

Yesterday, Judge Sarah Singleton, in the First Judicial District Court of New Mexico, rejected the State's Motion to Dismiss in Martinez v. State of New Mexico, a case brought by MALDEF on behalf of parents and students who are low-income, English Language Learners ("ELL"), and/or receiving special education services.

October 14, 2014   MALDEF POSITION ON OREGON BALLOT PROPOSITIONS

Although midterm elections too often receive less attention than presidential elections, this November, voters nationwide will cast ballots to elect significant state and national leaders.

October 10, 2014   CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS SEEK TO COMPEL KERN HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATORY SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION POLICIES

A coalition of civil rights legal advocates, including MALDEF, California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc., Equal Justice Society, and Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inc., today filed suit in Kern County Superior Court to compel Kern High School District (KHSD) to eliminate a variety of discriminatory disciplinary policies and practices that disproportionately impact students of color.

October 9, 2014   LATINO VICTORY FOUNDATION, NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MEXICAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND, LEADING CIVIL RIGHTS AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS JOIN TOGETHER TO MOBILIZE VOTERS IN WAKE OF ANTI-IMMIGRANT EFFORTS

The Latino Victory Foundation, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, National Education Association, and Labor Council For Latin American Advancement/National Hispanic Leadership Agenda gathered today to mobilize Latino voters across the nation to fight anti-immigrant efforts.

October 8, 2014   MALDEF AND NDLON FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST CITY AND POLICE DEPARTMENT OF BALDWIN PARK FOR VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA TRUST ACT

MALDEF, together with co-counsel from the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) and the Immigrant Rights Clinic at the University of California at Irvine School of Law, today filed a lawsuit, Flores v. City of Baldwin Park, alleging that the Baldwin Park Police Department and the City of Baldwin Park unlawfully imprisoned Sergio Flores at the Baldwin Park Police station, detaining him solely on the basis of an "immigration hold," in violation of the California TRUST Act.

October 6, 2014   MALDEF FILES LAWSUIT TO PROTECT CARWASHEROS FIRED IN ACT OF ILLEGAL EMPLOYER RETALIATION

MALDEF and the Wage Justice Center filed a lawsuit on behalf of two car wash workers -- "Carwasheros" as they identify themselves -- who were fired after participating in a wage class action suit against their employers.

October 2, 2014   MALDEF AND OTHER GROUPS FILE COMPLAINT DETAILING SEXUAL ABUSE, EXTORTION, AND HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT ICE FAMILY DETENTION CENTER IN KARNES CITY

Attorneys from MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), the Immigration Rights and Civil Rights Clinics at the University of Texas Law School, Human Rights First, and the Law Office of Javier N. Maldonado, filed a complaint earlier this week 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.

August 28, 2014   TRAVIS COUNTY DISTRICT COURT DECLARES CURRENT TEXAS SCHOOL FINANCE SYSTEM UNCONSTITUTIONAL--AGAIN

Today, Travis County District Court Judge John K. Dietz issued his final judgment, declaring the current Texas school finance system inadequate, unsuitable, and inequitable for Texas school children under Article VII, Section 1 of the Texas Constitution, and in violation of the prohibition on a state ad valorem tax under Article VIII, Section 1-e.

August 26, 2014   CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS FILE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT AGAINST KERN HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND KERN COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION

A group of civil rights advocates including California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc., Equal Justice Society, Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inc., and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) today filed an administrative complaint with the California Department of Education ("State") demanding that it directly intervene and investigate the illegal school funding allocations of over 6 million dollars by the Kern High School District ("Kern District") and Kern County Office of Education ("Kern County").

August 22, 2014   MALDEF, CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS URGE PRESIDENT TO ENSURE AFFIRMATIVE RELIEF FOR UNDOCUMENTED LGBTQ IMMIGRANTS

MALDEF and twelve other LGBTQ, Latino, and Asian American advocacy and civil rights organizations yesterday sent a letter to President Obama, urging him to ensure that any affirmative relief for undocumented immigrants does not unfairly exclude members of the LGBTQ community.

August 13, 2014   JUDGE UPHOLDS MALDEF WESTMINSTER POLICE VERDICT

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California rejected a request for a new trial in the Flores v. City of Westminster case earlier this week.

July 22, 2014   TEXAS APPLESEED AND MALDEF FILE FEDERAL COMPLAINT CHALLENGING LEAGUE CITY RESOLUTION THAT BANS CHILD REFUGEES

A complaint filed today with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development challenges a resolution passed by League City, Texas, that denies housing to child refugees in their city.

July 15, 2014   FIFTH CIRCUIT UPHOLDS UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HOLISTIC ADMISSIONS PROGRAM

Today, in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, the federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the University of Texas at Austin's holistic admissions plan, affirming the university's ability to consider the race of an applicant as one of many factors in its admissions decisions.

July 14, 2014   MALDEF FILES SUIT AGAINST CITY OF BELLFLOWER FOR VIOLATING CALIFORNIA VOTING RIGHTS ACT

Today, MALDEF, together with the law firm of Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian & Ho, and the Law Offices of Robert Rubin, filed suit against the City of Bellflower for violating the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 ("CVRA").

July 9, 2014   CITY OF MERCED AGREES TO LET VOTERS DECIDE THIS NOVEMBER ON BY-DISTRICT ELECTIONS

Late last night, the City of Merced voted to place on the November ballot an ordinance that would change the at-large election system to a by-district system for each of the six seats on the Merced City Council.

July 2, 2014   MALDEF SUES MICHIGAN COMPANIES FOR IMMIGRATION FRAUD AND LABOR VIOLATIONS

Today, MALDEF filed suit in federal court in the Eastern District of Michigan against Systems USA Inc. and Systems USA Consulting LLC for violating the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and the Michigan "Minimum Wage Law."

June 12, 2014   MALDEF AMENDS LANDMARK SUIT TO ADDRESS EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW MEXICO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Today, MALDEF filed an amended complaint in Martinez v. State of New Mexico, adding claims seeking equal educational opportunity for students with disabilities in the state.

June 12, 2014   MALDEF AND PARTNERS RELEASE REPORT DETAILING RECENT VOTER DISCRIMINATION TARGETING LATINO COMMUNITY

Two weeks before the one-year anniversary of the infamous Shelby County v Holder Supreme Court decision, which dealt a severe blow to every American's voting rights by incapacitating a key section of the federal Voting Rights Act (VRA), MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), and National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), today released a new policy report that details the far-reaching discrimination faced by Latino voters in recent election cycles.

June 10, 2014   MALDEF AND META FILE CIVIL RIGHTS SUIT AGAINST TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY AND INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Today, MALDEF and the Multicultural Education, Training and Advocacy, Inc. (META), filed federal court papers on behalf of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), seeking to require that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and two individual school districts, the Southwest and North East Independent School Districts in San Antonio, effectively monitor, implement, enforce and supervise programs for ELLs.

June 10, 2014   MALDEF FILES FEDERAL SUIT CHALLENGING SOUTH CAROLINA DISCRIMINATION AGAINST U.S. CITIZEN

Today, MALDEF filed Rocha Herrera v. Finan in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina Spartanburg Division, against the board members of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, asserting that they violate the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

June 4, 2014   CHALLENGE TO SANTA MARIA ELECTION SYSTEM MOVES FORWARD

Judge James Rigali of the California Superior Court for the County of Santa Barbara has scheduled a June 17, 2014 hearing in Putney v. Garietz.

May 20, 2014   STAY EXTENDED IN VOTER REGISTRATION CASE: TENTH CIRCUIT BLOCKS ERRONEOUS KANSAS COURT ORDER PENDING APPEAL

The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has granted MALDEF's request for a stay of a recent court order that disrupts the national system of registering voters in federal elections.

May 6, 2014   MALDEF CO-RELEASES REPORT HIGHLIGHTING UNPRECEDENTED DEPORTATION NUMBERS

MALDEF, together with the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), today released a report that assesses the unprecedented deportation rate of the last six-years, the devastating impact these deportations have had on vulnerable Latino families, and seeks to outline actions toward a more fair and just immigration policy in the United States.

April 22, 2014   MALDEF SECURES ACCESS TO COURT FOR CARWASHEROS IN CHALLENGE TO UNFAIR WORKING CONDITIONS

MALDEF prevailed in its efforts to ensure access to court in an ongoing class action lawsuit filed on behalf of employees-or "Carwasheros," as they identify themselves- of three car washes operating in Los Angeles and Santa Monica.

April 11, 2014   MALDEF WELCOMES TEXAS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DECISION ENCOURAGING THE DEVELOPMENT OF MATERIALS FOR ETHNIC STUDIES COURSES

Today, MALDEF congratulated the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) for its approval of a measure asking publishers to develop instructional materials for locally developed courses next year in Mexican American, African American, Native American, and Asian American Studies.

April 7, 2014   ARIZONA SUPERIOR COURT GRANTS MALDEF MOTION TO INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF DACA STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION CASE

The state court considering an unusual case in which Arizona is suing one of its own community college districts for recognizing that Arizonans should be treated equally, has granted MALDEF's motion to intervene to represent Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students attending the Maricopa County College District (MCCD).

April 4, 2014   APPEAL DOCKETED TO STOP ERRONEOUS KANSAS COURT ORDER FROM BLOCKING VOTER PARTICIPATION

MALDEF has appealed a recent court order that disrupts the national system of registering voters in federal elections.

April 2, 2014   MALDEF GIVES WARNING TO CITY OF MERCED THAT AT-LARGE ELECTIONS VIOLATE CALIFORNIA VOTING RIGHTS ACT

MALDEF today sent a letter to Merced, California Mayor Stan Thurston warning that the use of an at-large election system for the election of candidates to the Merced City Council is in violation of the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA).

April 2, 2014   MALDEF SUPPORTS CALIFORNIA SCHOOL BOARD VOTE TO COMPLY WITH CALIFORNIA VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND CREATE SINGLE MEMBER VOTING DISTRICTS

The Val Verde Unified School District (Val Verde USD) Board of Education voted unanimously last night to move from an at-large to a district-based election system for Board of Education elections.

April 1, 2014   MALDEF CHALLENGES NEW MEXICO'S DENIAL OF THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO EDUCATION IN MOST COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY LAWSUIT YET FILED

In the first case of its kind filed in the State, MALDEF today filed a lawsuit, Louise Martinez v State of New Mexico, seeking to establish education as a fundamental right and to ensure that New Mexico's at-risk children are provided a sufficient education as required under the New Mexico Constitution.

March 21, 2014   MALDEF FILES EMPLOYMENT SUIT AGAINST ILLINOIS NUT PROCESSING PLANT

Today, MALDEF filed suit, in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois, against Illinois nut processing company, John B Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. (aka Fisher Nuts), for violating the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and unlawfully terminating a Latino employee two days after he was diagnosed with cancer.

March 14, 2014   MALDEF MOVES FORWARD IN SEEKING DAMAGES FOR MINOR IN MARYLAND UNLAWFUL ARREST AND DETENTION CASE

Crisfield, Maryland Patrolman Lawrence Daisey this week answered a lawsuit filed against him for unlawfully arresting and detaining a 12-year-old who accidentally broke a laundromat window in Somerset County in December 2010.

March 7, 2014   JURY AWARDS MILLIONS TO LATINO POLICE OFFICERS IN MALDEF SUIT AGAINST OC POLICE DEPARTMENT

MALDEF has secured victory in Flores v. City of Westminster, a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California in which attorneys successfully asserted the rights of three accomplished Latino police officers who were consistently denied coveted promotions and special assignments in retaliation for their complaints of discrimination.

March 5, 2014   MALDEF PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL, THOMAS A. SAENZ REACTS TO THE SENATE'S FAILURE TO CONFIRM RESPECTED CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER, DEBO ADEGBILE

Today, in a 47-52 vote, the U.S. Senate refused to end a filibuster, and thus failed to confirm respected civil rights attorney, Debo Adegbile, as Assistant Attorney General to lead the civil rights division of the U.S Department of Justice.

March 3, 2014   SUPREME COURT RULING IN FARMERS BRANCH, TX CASE BAD SIGN FOR DEFENDERS OF FREMONT, NEBRASKA ANTI-IMMIGRANT HOUSING ORDINANCE

MALDEF, counsel in challenges to nearly identical local anti-immigrant housing ordinances in Nebraska and Texas, welcomed today's U.S. Supreme Court decision refusing to review a decision by the full Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that the Farmers Branch, Texas tenant-licensing ordinance is an unconstitutional intrusion on the exclusive federal authority to regulate immigration.

February 27, 2014   MALDEF MOURNS THE LOSS OF FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER, DR. HENRY J. CASSO

MALDEF mourns the loss of Dr. Henry J. Casso at age 82. Dr. Casso, a renowned civil rights advocate and MALDEF founding Board Member, dedicated himself to eradicating poverty and improving the lives of Latinos across the nation.

February 14, 2014   MALDEF's 2014 "Latino State of the Union" to Address Critical Public Policy Issues Facing the Latino Community

On Thursday, February 20, 2014, MALDEF will host its 2014 Latino State of the Union at the Time Warner Cable headquarters in New York.

February 7, 2014   MALDEF PRESENTS CLOSING ARGUMENT IN CASE DEFENDING RIGHTS OF TEXAS SCHOOL CHILDREN

Today at 2 pm CST, MALDEF will present closing argument before the Travis County District Court in Austin, showing that the Texas public school finance system remains inequitable and inadequate.

January 27, 2014   MALDEF MOURNS THE LOSS OF ADELFA CALLEJO, FORMER VICE CHAIR OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MALDEF mourns the loss of Dallas civil rights leader and one of its former Board members, Adelfa Botello Callejo. Callejo was an attorney, civic leader and one of the most-respected Hispanic activists in the country.

January 22, 2014   TRIAL BEGINS IN MALDEF EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION SUIT AGAINST ORANGE COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT

On Tuesday, January 28, 2014, in a suit against the city of Westminster, California, MALDEF will commence trial, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California before the Honorable David O. Carter, to defend the rights of three accomplished Latino police officers who were consistently denied coveted promotions and special assignments because of their national origin.

January 17, 2014   MALDEF RETURNS TO COURT TO DEFEND RIGHTS OF TEXAS SCHOOL CHILDREN

On Tuesday, January 21, 2014, MALDEF will return to court to demonstrate that the Texas public school finance system remains inequitable and inadequate.

January 16, 2014   MALDEF WELCOMES INTRODUCTION OF BIPARTISAN VOTING RIGHTS BILL, SEEKS NECESSARY IMPROVEMENT

Today, former Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), ranking Judiciary Committee member John Conyers Jr., D-Mich., and a bipartisan contingent of lawmakers introduced HR 3899, the Voting Rights Amendment Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives. Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick J. Leahy, D-VT has filed identical legislation in the Senate.

January 8, 2014   MALDEF MOURNS THE LOSS OF COLLABORATOR, ACTRESS AND ACTIVIST CARMEN ZAPATA

MALDEF mourns the loss of Carmen Zapata, an accomplished character actress on TV, film and the stage, MALDEF honoree, and a leading force in showcasing Latino culture in Los Angeles.

November 20, 2013   MALDEF SEEKS TO INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF DACA STUDENTS IN ARIZONA HIGHER EDUCATION LAWSUIT

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), together with the Ortega Law Firm and Haralson, Miller, Pitt, Feldman & McAnally, PLC, today filed a motion in Maricopa County Superior Court seeking permission to intervene and defend Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students at the center of a dispute between the State of Arizona and the Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board ("MCCCD").

November 6, 2013   MALDEF OPPOSES DISCRIMINATORY VOTING CHANGE PASSED BY TEXAS TOWN

Last night, the town of Pasadena, Texas narrowly passed a measure known as Proposition 1 that would reduce its eight single-member voting districts to six, and create two at-large seats.

October 30, 2013   MALDEF POSITION ON NEW JERSEY BALLOT QUESTION

Last November, the Latino community and its allies exercised a substantial and oft-remarked impact on the presidential election, resulting in renewed federal interest in addressing the policy priorities of the Latino community.

October 5, 2013   MALDEF APPLAUDS CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR BROWN'S SIGNING OF THE TRUST ACT

Today, MALDEF President and General Counsel, Thomas A. Saenz, released the following statement in response to California Governor Jerry Brown's signing of the TRUST Act.

September 27, 2013   MALDEF MOURNS THE PASSING OF LATINO LEADER JOSE ERNESTO MONTOYA

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) today mourns the loss of Chicano icon, Jose Ernesto Montoya, beloved father of MALDEF Vice President Gina Montoya, MALDEF National Board Member, Carlos Montoya and actor/writer Culture Clash co-founder Richard Montoya.

August 20, 2013   MALDEF FILES DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT AGAINST POMONA COLLEGE

Today, MALDEF filed suit, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, against Pomona College for race and gender discrimination. MALDEF represents Alma Martinez, a former Pomona professor denied tenure despite a proven track record of successfully meeting her duties through six years of employment with the college and a unanimous departmental recommendation that she be promoted to a fully tenured position.

July 25, 2013   MALDEF LOOKS FORWARD TO SECOND PHASE OF EDUCATION DISCRIMINATION CASE AFTER VICTORY IN TRIAL

Today, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois held a hearing in McFadden v. Board of Education for Illinois School District U-46, to discuss the remedy phase after ruling in favor of the Plaintiffs in their discrimination lawsuit.

July 24, 2013   MALDEF ASKS COURT TO BLOCK NEBRASKA FROM DENYING DRIVER’S LICENSES TO YOUTH PROTECTED UNDER FEDERAL DACA PROGRAM

Today, MALDEF's Midwest Regional Office in Chicago filed a motion for preliminary injunction in a U.S. District Court in Nebraska. MALDEF asked the court to stop the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) from enforcing the policy and practice of denying driver’s licenses to immigrant youth whom the federal government has authorized to remain in the United States under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ("DACA") program.

July 23, 2013   FOURTH CIRCUIT UPHOLDS DECISION TO BLOCK KEY PORTIONS OF SOUTH CAROLINA ANTI-IMMIGRANT LAW

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a lower court’s decision to block key components of SB 20, South Carolina’s Arizona-style anti-immigrant law.

July 23, 2013   THE FULL FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT STRIKES DOWN DISCRIMINATORY, ANTI-IMMIGRANT ORDINANCE IN FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS

In a 9-5 ruling issued Monday, the full United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit struck down an anti-immigrant, discriminatory ordinance in Farmers Branch, Texas that would have prohibited landlords from renting to immigrants that the city deemed unlawfully present and authorized arrest and prosecution of landlords and tenants found in violation of the law.

June 28, 2013   MALDEF DENOUNCES APPELLATE RULING ALLOWING CITY OF FREMONT, NEBRASKA TO DENY HOUSING TO IMMIGRANTS

Today, a panel of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals issued its ruling in Keller v. City of Fremont, a case challenging the constitutionality of an ordinance that seeks to prohibit the rental of housing by private landlords to "illegal aliens" and "unauthorized aliens."

June 26, 2013   MALDEF RESPONDS TO SUPREME COURT DOMA AND PROPOSITION 8 RULINGS

Today, MALDEF President and General Counsel, Thomas A. Saenz, released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings striking down DOMA and preventing enforcement of California’s Proposition 8...

June 25, 2013   SUPREME COURT DECISION PULLING BACK ON VOTING RIGHTS HARMS LATINO VOTERS

Today, in a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. The Court struck down as unconstitutional a portion of the law used to identify states and localities that must follow special procedures before implementing changes in their voting systems.

June 24, 2013   U.S. SUPREME COURT AFFIRMS CONSIDERATION OF RACE BY UNIVERSITIES, BUT REQUIRES FURTHER COURT REVIEW OF UT-AUSTIN'S ADMISSION PLAN

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Fisher v. Texas, affirming public universities' right to consider the race of an applicant for admission as part of a holistic review of the applicant’s file, but held that the University of Texas at Austin’s undergraduate admissions plan requires further review in the lower courts to determine if it complies with the Court’s restrictions on such policies.

June 17, 2013   MALDEF VICTORIOUS IN U.S. SUPREME COURT "MOTOR VOTER" CASE

Today, in a 7-2 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Arizona voters who challenged that state’s restrictions on voter registration, concluding that Arizona’s Proposition 200 must yield to the National Voter Registration Act. MALDEF (the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) filed the original lawsuit on behalf of voters in the case decided today as Arizona v. ITCA.

May 28, 2013   COLORADO SUPREME COURT FAILS TO PROVIDE REMEDY FOR UNDERSERVED STUDENTS IN LANDMARK SCHOOL FINANCE CASE

Today, in a 4-2 decision, the Colorado Supreme Court reversed a Denver District Court’s opinion in Lobato/Ortega v. Colorado that Colorado’s public school finance system is "irrational, arbitrary, and severely underfunded." The Supreme Court held that the state’s arbitrary school finance system complies with the Colorado constitution, concluding that the system is "thorough and uniform" across the state and provides for local control over instruction in schools.

May 24, 2013   FEDERAL COURT RULES ARIZONA SHERIFF JOE ARPAIO VIOLATED UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio relied on racial profiling and illegal detentions to target Latinos, a federal district court said today. The ruling comes following a three-week trial in July and August 2012 over a pattern of unlawful practices by Arpaio and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) on immigration sweeps and traffic stops.

May 20, 2013   MALDEF PREVAILS IN LAWSUIT CHALLENGING LEAGUE CITY’S ANTI-SOLICITATION POLICY

MALDEF has secured victory in a lawsuit filed in federal district court, challenging League City’s local policy and practices targeting day laborers and their First Amendment right to seek employment in public areas, as well as a state statute that prohibited solicitation of employment. MALDEF filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Jornaleros de las Palmas, an association of day laborers whose members have been restricted from peaceably expressing their need and availability for employment in the City’s public areas due to the policy and the state law.

May 15, 2013   MALDEF AND POLICYLINK RELEASE PUBLIC SAFETY POLICY AGENDA

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund , the nation’s leading Latino civil rights legal organization, and PolicyLink, a national research and action institute, have released a public safety policy agenda in response to an alarming finding in a recent survey of urban Latinos. The research revealed that at least 40 percent of urban Latinos are less likely to provide information to police because they fear exposing themselves, family or friends to a risk of deportation.

May 15, 2013   MALDEF JOINS IN CALLING ON PRESIDENT TO SUSPEND DEPORTATIONS AS CONGRESS DEBATES IMMIGRATION REFORM

MALDEF President and General Counsel, Thomas A. Saenz, joined representatives from other immigrant rights groups in a telebriefing for the press earlier this week to urge President Obama to immediately suspend deportations of those potentially eligible for legalization while Congress deliberates on immigration reform. More than 410,000 were deported last year, the most ever.

May 7, 2013   MALDEF REPRESENTS DREAMERS IN SEEKING TO DEFEND DACA FROM FEDERAL COURT CHALLENGE

MALDEF filed for intervention yesterday in Crane v. Napolitano, a federal lawsuit in which ten Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are seeking to block the implementation of the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

April 10, 2013   MALDEF JOINS FORCES WITH GOLDSTEIN, BORGEN, DARDARIAN & HO TO CHALLENGE ABC USD IN DEFENSE OF CALIFORNIA VOTING RIGHTS

MALDEF today joined forces with Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian & Ho to file suit against ABC Unified School District (ABC USD) for violating the California Voting Rights Act of 2001.

April 1, 2013   MALDEF COLLABORATES WITH NEWLY FORMED HONOR 41 TO RECOGNIZE LATINO LGBTQ ACTIVISTS

MALDEF is proud to collaborate with Honor 41, a national non-profit LGBTQ organization that recognizes outstanding Latina/o leaders in the LGBTQ community.

Mar 18, 2013   MALDEF RESPONDS TO SUPREME COURT ORAL ARGUEMENT IN CASE IT FILED CHALLENGING ARIZONA VOTER REGISTRATION RESTRICTIONS

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) is confident following today’s oral arguments at the United States Supreme Court in Arizona v. Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona (Arizona v. ITCA).

Mar 18, 2013   MALDEF CHALLENGES ARIZONA PROPOSITION 200 AT U.S. SUPREME COURT

A twenty-year old, and highly successful, federal voter registration law known as "Motor Voter" is at issue in a legal battle that MALDEF has been leading and winning for nearly seven years. The challenge to Arizona's Proposition 200, enacted in 2004, has made its way to the United States Supreme Court.

Mar 11, 2013   MALDEF MOURNS THE LOSS OF MEXICAN AMERICAN LEADER RAYMOND L. TELLES

MALDEF mourns the loss of Mexican American leader and pioneer Raymond L. Telles. Telles was the first Mexican American mayor of a major city and is credited with opening the path to high political offices for other Latinos nationwide by running the city of El Paso successfully during his two terms.

Mar 4, 2013   VICTORY FOR FIRST AMENDMENT: NINTH CIRCUIT BLOCKS ANTI-DAY LABOR, ANTI-SPEECH PROVISIONS ON SB 1070

Today the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the provisions of SB 1070, Arizona’s anti-immigrant racial profiling law, that seek to criminalize the solicitation of day labor work, should remain blocked.

Mar 1, 2013   EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: CARMEN LEIJA

In many ways, Carmen M. Leija reflects the very corazón of MALDEF – quite appropriate given the fact that she joined the organization on Valentine’s Day in 1983.

Feb 26, 2013   KCETLINK PARTNERS WITH MALDEF TO PRODUCE PROGRAMMING DEDICATED TO ADVANCING LATINO SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE U.S.

National independent public transmedia company KCETLink, and MALDEF, the nation's leading Latino legal civil rights organization, have announced a partnership to curate and produce programming that spotlights key social justice issues and cultural narratives of the U.S. Latino experience to a national audience on KCET and Link TV.

Feb 26, 2013   NATION’S TOP HISPANIC CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS JOIN GLOBAL BOYCOTT OF HYATT HOTELS

Today, MALDEF, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) and NCLR (National Council of La Raza), joined a global boycott of Hyatt hotels in response to widespread evidence of harmful working conditions for hotel housekeepers, who are predominantly women of color, including Latinas.

Feb 7, 2013   MALDEF, TUCSON STUDENTS TRIUMPH AFTER NEARLY 40 YEARS IN HISTORIC DESEGREGATION CASE

Yesterday Judge David C. Bury ruled in favor of Latino plaintiffs in the longstanding desegregation lawsuit against the Tucson Unified School District ("TUSD"), filed by MALDEF in 1974 in federal district court in Tucson, Arizona.

Feb 4, 2013   MALDEF SECURES COURT VICTORY ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN IN TEXAS SCHOOL FINANCE CASE

After more than three months of testimony, Travis County District Court Judge John K. Dietz announced his ruling from the bench, holding that the Texas public school finance system is arbitrary, inequitable and inadequate under the Texas Constitution and that low-wealth school districts lack local control over their tax rates.

Jan 29, 2013   MALDEF RESPONDS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SPEECH ON IMMIGRATION

President and General Counsel, Thomas A. Saenz, Issues Statement in response to President Obama’s speech on immigration today:

Jan 28, 2013   MALDEF REACTS TO BIPARTISAN SENATE FRAMEWORK AS POSITIVE STARTING POINT ON NEEDED IMMIGRATION REFORM IN 2013

MALDEF President and General Counsel, Thomas A. Saenz, issued the following statement today in response to today’s announcement of a bipartisan framework for immigration reform:

Jan 14, 2013   MALDEF FILES BRIEF IN CASE UNDER MOTOR VOTER LAW AT U.S. SUPREME COURT

MALDEF filed a brief at the U.S. Supreme Court today in Arizona v. ITCA, the longstanding challenge to Proposition 200, Arizona’s 2004 law imposing burdensome documentation requirements on new voter registrants.

Dec 19, 2012   MALDEF VICE PRESIDENT OF LITIGATION, NINA PERALES, TESTIFIES BEFORE THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Nina Perales, MALDEF Vice President of Litigation, testified today before the United States Senate Judiciary Committee at a hearing titled, "The State of the Right to Vote After the 2012 Election." Ms. Perales joined Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett, former Governor of Florida Charlie Crist, Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz, and South Carolina State Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter.

Dec 6, 2012   MALDEF SECURES RELEASE OF UNREDACTED RECORDS IN RUBÉN SALAZAR CASE

On Tuesday, MALDEF settled its lawsuit against Sheriff Lee Baca and the County of Los Angeles challenging the Sheriff’s attempt to withhold unredacted records regarding the 1970 killing of prominent journalist, Rubén Salazar. MALDEF represents Phillip Rodriguez, a noted documentary filmmaker, who requested the documents as part of his research for the documentary film that tells the story of the life and mysterious death of the prominent civil rights era journalist.

November 29, 2012   MALDEF, CIVIL RIGHTS COALITION CHALLENGE ARIZONA POLICY DENYING DRIVER'S LICENSES TO IMMIGRANT YOUTH

A coalition of civil rights organizations today filed a class-action lawsuit challenging Arizona’s unconstitutional policy denying driver’s licenses to a specific class of immigrant youth even though they have grown up in the United States and are authorized to live and work here.

November 15, 2012   FEDERAL COURT BLOCKS MOST OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S ANTI-IMMIGRANT LAW

A federal court today blocked key provisions of South Carolina's anti-immigrant law and recognized that harms could take place if police officers check people's immigration status, inviting additional challenges of civil rights abuses.

November 12, 2012   MALDEF JOINS IN FILING DRAFT PLAN TO DESEGREGATE AND IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT FOR LATINO STUDENTS IN TUCSON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

On November 9, 2012, MALDEF joined in filing a draft plan with the federal District Court in Fisher, et al., Mendoza, et al. v. Tucson Unified School District (TUSD), that is a blueprint for improving educational outcomes for Latino students and is intended to resolve a longstanding desegregation lawsuit against the District.

November 4, 2012   MALDEF COMBATS VOTE SUPPRESSION IN LEAD-UP TO ELECTION DAY

In key states, Latino voters are confronted with illegal voting barriers that threaten their ability to cast ballots on Election Day.

November 2, 2012   MALDEF ANNOUNCES POSITIONS AND ENDORSEMENTS ON SELECT BALLOT PROPOSITIONS IN KEY STATES

Over the last three weeks, MALDEF has released state-by-state endorsements on ballot measures to subscribers from each state. Below, we release nationally all of the positions MALDEF has taken for the upcoming November 6 election.

October 31, 2012   LA POSTURA DE MALDEF SOBRE PROPUESTAS ELECTORALES DE CALIFORNIA

Este noviembre enfrentamos una elección crítica en la que los niveles altos de participación por todas partes pueden mandar un mensaje poderoso sobre la importancia de la comunidad Latina y su opinión política.

October 31, 2012   MALDEF POSITIONS ON TWO MONTANA REFERENDUMS

This November, we face a critical election, in which high levels of participation by Latino voters and their allies everywhere can send a powerful message about the importance of the Latino community and its policy views.

October 29, 2012   MALDEF POSITION ON MAINE BALLOT QUESTION

This November, we face a critical election, in which high levels of participation by Latino voters and their allies everywhere can send a powerful message about the importance of the Latino community and its policy views.

October 29, 2012   MALDEF POSITION ON OKLAHOMA BALLOT QUESTION

This November, we face a critical election, in which high levels of participation by Latino voters and their allies everywhere can send a powerful message about the importance of the Latino community and its policy views.

October 26, 2012   MALDEF POSITION ON WASHINGTON'S REFERENDUM MEASURE

While the referendum developed long ago as a "progressive" reform, it is too often used by those who oppose progressive legal change to challenge positive measures adopted by the legislature.

October 26, 2012   MALDEF POSITIONS ON TWO MINNESOTA AMENDMENTS

While generally categorized as a progressive reform procedure, too often the referendum is used by those who oppose progressive legal change to challenge positive measures adopted by a legislature.

October 24, 2012   MALDEF CALLS FIRST WITNESS TO THE STAND IN TEXAS SCHOOL FINANCE CASE: SUPERINTENDENT ANTONIO LIMON

MALDEF Seeking Equal Funding for All Texas Students, Including Low Income and English Language Learner Children

October 15, 2012   MALDEF POSITIONS ON MARYLAND BALLOT QUESTIONS

While generally categorized as a progressive reform procedure, too often the referendum is used by those who oppose progressive legal change to challenge positive measures adopted by a legislature.

October 11, 2012   MALDEF POSITIONS ON CALIFORNIA BALLOT PROPOSITIONS

This November, we face a critical election, in which high levels of participation by Latino voters everywhere can send a powerful message about the importance of the Latino community and its policy views.

October 3, 2012   MALDEF SECURES DEMISE OF NEW MEXICO’S DISCRIMINATORY RESIDENCY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM TARGETING IMMIGRANTS

Today, MALDEF and the New Mexico law firm of Freedman Boyd Hollander Goldberg Ives & Duncan (Freedman Boyd) secured a permanent injunction against New Mexico's "Foreign National Residency Certification Program."

September 27, 2012   THE PARENT ORGANIZATION NETWORK (PON) EVENT WILL INCREASE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AMONG MINORITY PARENTS

On Saturday, September 29, 2012, the Parent Organization Network (PON) will host its first Bridging the Parent-School Gap 2012 – 2013, Learning Series event at East Los Angeles Community College.

September 21, 2012   ACTION ALERT: MALDEF URGES YOU TO CALL GOVERNOR BROWN TO SIGN TRUST ACT

In California, many of us remember the infamous anti-immigrant Proposition 187, enacted in 1994, that would have affected the lives of every resident by imposing draconian requirements on all public servants to deny services and report all "reasonably suspected" undocumented immigrants to immigration authorities.

September 18, 2012   THE SEVENTH ANNUAL LATINA/O EDUCATION SUMMIT

The annual CSRC Latina/o Education Summit addresses topics not typically covered in academic discourse on the education of U.S. Latinos.

September 11, 2012   RONSTADT GENERATIONS RELEASES "AMERICA, OUR HOME," A COLLECTION OF PATRIOTIC SONGS EXPRESSING LATINO PRIDE IN AMERICA, WITH PART OF PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT MALDEF

MALDEF is proud to support the release of "America, Our Home," a new collection of American patriotic songs recorded in Mexican musical styles by the group Ronstadt Generations to express the ongoing pride of the Latino community in the United States.

September 5, 2012   FEDERAL COURT BLOCKS PART OF ARIZONA'S ANTI-IMMIGRANT LAW; ALLOWS 'SHOW ME YOUR PAPERS' PROVISION TO STAND FOR NOW

A federal district court today blocked a provision in Arizona's anti-immigrant law that aimed to criminalize friends and family members who engage in everyday activities with undocumented immigrants, but failed to block section 2B of SB 1070, which forces police officers to demand "papers" of those they believe are in the country unlawfully.

August 30, 2012   MALDEF BLOCKS TEXAS’ DISCRIMINATORY VOTER-ID LAW IN FEDERAL COURT

Today, a federal court in Washington DC issued a ruling in Texas v. Holder denying preclearance under the Voting Rights Act for Texas' proposed voter ID law.

August 28, 2012   FEDERAL COURT BLOCKS TEXAS REDISTRICTING PLANS

Earlier today, a three-judge federal panel issued a ruling in Texas v. United States denying preclearance under section 5 of the Voting Rights Act for three Texas statewide redistricting plans.

August 17, 2012   WATCH "INOCENTE" A YOUNG WOMAN DEALING WITH HOMELESSNESS AND IMMIGRATION CHALLENGES ON MTV TONIGHT AT 10/9C

The documentary "Inocente" is an extraordinary film, raising at once issues of arts education, homelessness, family violence, and immigration reform through its focus on a young woman with an amazingly compelling story.

August 15, 2012   MALDEF SECURES COURT ORDER UPHOLDING FEDERAL LAW IN ARIZONA VOTER REGISTRATION

Today, MALDEF won a court order instructing Arizona to stop requiring additional paperwork from citizens who submit a federal voter registration form to register to vote.

July 27, 2012   MALDEF MOURNS THE LOSS OF LEGENDARY MEXICAN AMERICAN ACTRESS, LUPE ONTIVEROS

Today, MALDEF is saddened at the passing yesterday of pioneering Mexican American actress, Lupe Ontiveros. Originally from El Paso, Texas, Ontiveros starred in several iconic Latino roles throughout her decades-long career.

July 20, 2012   MALDEF, DREAM BAR ASSOCIATION, AND OTHERS URGE CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT TO ADMIT UNDOCUMENTED LAW GRADUATE TO STATE BAR

In the first case of its kind pending before the California Supreme Court, MALDEF, the Dream Bar Association, and a coalition of civil rights and legal groups have submitted an amicus brief in the matter of In re Sergio C. Garcia on Admission to support undocumented law school graduate Sergio C. Garcia’s application to join the California Bar.

July 17, 2012   CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS ASK FEDERAL COURT TO BLOCK REMAINING SECTION OF ARIZONA’S RACIAL PROFILING LAW

Damaging Provision of SB 1070 Could Take Effect in a Few Days Without Court Action

July 16, 2012   MALDEF, LOS ANGELES CAPITAL GRILLE WORKERS FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST DARDEN RESTAURANT GROUP

Workers at California Capital Grille restaurants were deprived of wages and rest breaks according to a complaint filed today by MALDEF against Darden Restaurants, owner of Capital Grille, Red Lobster, and Olive Garden.

July 11, 2012   MALDEF WORKS IN D.C. COURT TO HALT RESTRICTIVE VOTER ID LAW THAT DISENFRANCHISES LATINO VOTERS

Representing a coalition of community partners, MALDEF intervened in a federal lawsuit between Texas and the United States over Texas's passage of a discriminatory voter identification law that would keep minorities and others from exercising their right to vote.

July 2, 2012   RONSTADT GENERATIONS RELEASES "AMERICA, OUR HOME," A COLLECTION OF PATRIOTIC SONGS EXPRESSING LATINO PRIDE IN AMERICA, WITH PART OF PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT MALDEF

MALDEF is proud to support the release of "America, Our Home," a new collection of American patriotic songs recorded in Mexican musical styles by the group Ronstadt Generations to express the ongoing pride of the Latino community in the United States.

June 28, 2012   SUPREME COURT DENIES ARIZONA LAST-DITCH EFFORT TO BLOCK USE OF FEDERAL VOTER REGISTRATION FORM

Today, the United States Supreme Court issued an order rejecting the State of Arizona's attempt to avoid a Ninth Circuit ruling that the state must accept the federal voter registration form in advance of the coming 2012 elections.

June 28, 2012   NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS COALITION TO ARIZONA GOV. BREWER: SB1070 RACIAL PROFILING PROVISION IS STILL ENJOINED

The coalition representing the plaintiffs in the ongoing civil rights legal challenge to SB 1070, Friendly House v. Whiting, sent a letter to counsel for all defendants, including Governor Brewer, explaining that SB1070 's racial profiling provision, Section 2 (B), cannot be implemented unless a federal court dissolves the injunction.

June 25, 2012   MEDIA SPIN CANNOT OBSCURE FAILURE OF SB 1070 AND ITS ILK, SAYS MALDEF PRESIDENT

Many of the proponents of Arizona's notorious SB 1070, including Governor Jan Brewer, have attempted to spin today's 5-3 Supreme Court decision striking down three provisions and leaving a fourth with high obstacles in front of implementation, as a victory for the purveyors of such legislation.

June 25, 2012   MALDEF RESPONDS TO SUPREME COURT DECISION IN ARIZONA CASE

Today the Supreme Court affirmed an injunction against three of the four core SB 1070 provisions (Sections 3, 5(C), and 6) before the Court, and narrowly limited the possible implementation of the notorious reasonable suspicion/racial profiling provision (Section 2(B)).

June 15, 2012   THOMAS A. SAENZ RESPONDS TO THE PRESIDENT'S DECISION TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO UNDOCUMENTED YOUTH

Today, MALDEF President and General Counsel, Thomas A. Saenz, released the following statement in response to President Obama’s decision to provide relief to undocumented youth who have lived in the United States for most of their lives.

June 14, 2012   JUDGE BARS STATE INTERVENTION IN TUCSON DESEGREGATION CASE

Today, a Tucson federal court barred the State of Arizona from intervening in an ongoing school desegregation case involving discrimination against Latino students by the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD).

May 21, 2012   MALDEF FILES CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST CALIFORNIA CAR WASHES

Seeks Unpaid Wages and Restitution for "Carwasheros" Forced to Work without Breaks and "Off the Clock"

May 10, 2012   MALDEF ISSUES STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel of MALDEF, issued the following statement in response to yesterday’s announcement by President Barack Obama of his personal support for marriage equality:

May 9, 2012   FEDERAL COURT REJECTS ARIZONA VIGILANTE ROGER BARNETT'S FINAL ATTEMPT TO AVOID PAYING FOR ATTACK ON IMMIGRANTS

Today, MALDEF lauded a decision by Senior U.S District Judge, Frank Zapata, denying Arizona vigilante Roger Barnett’s latest attempt to avoid paying punitive damages to a group of immigrants he attacked in 2004.

May 2, 2012   MALDEF SUES BURGER KING CORPORATION FOR HIV DISCRIMINATION

Today, MALDEF filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Burger King Corporation for violating Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) by discriminating against a former district manager who was terminated after Burger King learned of his HIV status.

April 23, 2012   MALDEF FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST SHERIFF BACA FOR REFUSAL TO RELEASE RECORDS IN RUBEN SALAZAR CASE

Today MALDEF filed a petition for writ of mandate to compel Sheriff Lee Baca to release public records relating to the death of Ruben Salazar.

April 17, 2012   MALDEF WINS NINTH CIRCUIT DECISION UPHOLDING ABILITY OF U.S. CITIZENS IN ARIZONA TO REGISTER TO VOTE

Today, MALDEF welcomed the Ninth Circuit's en banc ruling in Gonzalez v. State of Arizona, striking down critical provisions of an Arizona law that restricted voter access.

April 10, 2012   MALDEF SEEKS JUSTICE FOR CENTRAL VALLEY FARM WORKERS

Today, MALDEF filed suit against one of the largest Central Valley grape growers, Castlerock Farming and Transport, Inc., and many of its farm labor contractors, for systematically mistreating Latino workers.

March 29, 2012   MALDEF FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT THE IVY FOR HIV DISCRIMINATION

Today, MALDEF filed a lawsuit against the famed Robertson Boulevard restaurant, The Ivy, for violating the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and discriminating against a former employee. The suit was filed in California Superior Court in Los Angeles County.

March 26, 2012   MALDEF SEEKS TO STOP TEXAS VOTER ID LAW

Today, MALDEF filed legal papers opposing an attempt by the State of Texas to secure federal approval for its new Voter ID law. The intervention was filed on behalf of two Latino voters and two organizations that conduct voter registration and turnout campaigns in the Latino community: Southwest Voter Registration Education Project and Mi Familia Vota Education Fund.

March 23, 2012   MALDEF MOURNS THE LOSS OF JOHN A. PAYTON, PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR COUNSEL OF THE NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND

Today, MALDEF President and General Counsel, Thomas A. Saenz, issued the following statement in response to the passing of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund’s President and Director Counsel, John A. Payton

March 21, 2012   MALDEF AND NDLON DEMAND CALIFORNIA CITIES REPEAL UNCONSTITUTIONAL DAY LABORER LAWS

MALDEF announced yesterday that it has sent – on behalf of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) – the first wave of demand letters to a dozen municipalities across California threatening legal action if they fail to repeal laws limiting the right to solicit employment, business or contributions in public areas.

March 21, 2012   FIFTH CIRCUIT AFFIRMS FARMERS BRANCH HOUSING ORDINANCE AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL TARGETING OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS

Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled the City of Farmers Branch, located outside of Dallas, TX, violated the Constitution by passing a housing ordinance aimed at driving out Latinos.

March 16, 2012   MALDEF TRIUMPHS IN TEXAS REDISTRICTING

Capping an extensive legal battle, a Texas federal court has issued redistricting plans for both congressional and state house districts for use in 2012 that better reflect the state’s increasingly large Latino electorate.

March 16, 2012   RECENT FLORIDA AND ARIZONA CHALLENGES TO LONG-STANDING VOTING RIGHTS ACT PROVIDE ADDITIONAL AREAS OF CONCERN FOR LATINO VOTE

The States of Florida and Arizona have filed challenges to the Voting Rights Act (VRA) in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Section 5 of the VRA, described by the Supreme Court as "remed(ying) aimed at areas where voting discrimination has been most flagrant," helps protect the right to vote in places where, historically, this right has been most threatened.

March 16, 2012   MALDEF SUBMITS EQUITY MAP FOR CHICAGO - UPDATE

The Chicago City Council approved a redistricting map on January 19, 2012 that did not meet the standards of MALDEF's proposed Equity Map, which called for 14 majority Latino wards, 18 African American wards, and keeping the communities of Chinatown and Back of the Yards together, while maintaining the legal population requirements based on 2010 Census numbers.

March 14, 2012   MALDEF BRINGS LATINO ISSUES TO FOREFRONT IN CALIFORNIA CAPITAL WITH "2012 LATINO STATE OF THE STATE"

On Wednesday, March 14, 2011, MALDEF, the nation's leading legal civil rights organization, hosted the "2012 Latino State of the State: Discussion on Law, Policy, and Civil Rights in California." The event served as a convening of leaders and experts addressing issues and policies affecting California’s Latino community.

March 14, 2012   MALDEF PROTECTS CREATION OF NEW LATINO-MAJORITY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN FILINGS WITH WASHINGTON, D.C. COURT

Yesterday, MALDEF, on behalf of the Texas Latino Redistricting Task Force, filed a brief at the request of the federal court in Washington, D.C. that is evaluating the Texas redistricting plans for compliance with the Voting Rights Act.

March 7, 2012   NEW TRUST WEBSITE LAUNCHED IN FIGHT AGAINST TEXAS ANTI-IMMIGRANT LEGISLATION

Today, a coalition of Texas business, faith based, and advocacy organizations known as Texas Residents United for a Stronger Texas (TRUST), launched a new website (www.CommonSenseImmigrationTx.org), in partnership with the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, to serve as a resource for advocates, community members, and policy makers seeking critical immigration information and resources.

March 1, 2012   LATINO LEADERS WELCOME GAINS FOR LATINO VOTERS IN NEW TEXAS REDISTRICTING MAPS

Today, Latino leaders throughout Texas responded to new court-ordered interim maps for Texas state House and congressional seats that increase the number of districts in which Latino voters can elect their preferred candidates.

February 29, 2012   MALDEF STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO COURT-ORDERED INTERIM TEXAS STATE HOUSE REDISTRICTING PLAN

In response to the three-judge federal panel’s order adopting an interim redistricting plan for 2012 state House elections in Texas, Nina Perales, MALDEF Vice President of Litigation and lead counsel for the Texas Latino Redistricting Task Force in Perez v. Perry, provided the following statement...

February 26, 2012   OFFICIALS AND LEADERS GATHERED FOR HISTORIC CEREMONY RECOGNIZING FORCED REMOVAL OF MEXICAN AMERICANS DURING GREAT DEPRESSION

Today, government officials gathered alongside civil right leaders at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (LA Plaza) to unveil a permanent monument to acknowledge California’s role in the forced removal of 2 million Mexican Americans between 1929 and 1944.

January 20, 2012   SUPREME COURT'S RULING IN PEREZ V. PERRY AFFIRMS PRECLEARANCE PROVISIONS OF VOTING RIGHTS ACT

Moments ago, the United States Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling in Perez v. Perry that affirms the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act's preclearance provisions and instructs the district court on requirements for redrawing the Texas congressional, senate and house redistricting plans.

January 12, 2012   MALDEF SUES NEW MEXICO MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION (MVD) FOR RETALIATING AGAINST WHISTLEBLOWER

Today, MALDEF and the New Mexico law firm of Freedman Boyd Hollander Goldberg Ives & Duncan (Freedman Boyd) filed suit in a Santa Fe District Court against the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD).

January 10, 2012   SUPREME COURT HEARS ARGUMENT IN ONGOING MALDEF BATTLE FOR FAIR DISTRICT LINES IN TEXAS

Today, the United States Supreme Court heard oral argument in Perez v. Perry regarding the Texas congressional, senate and house redistricting plans. The case challenges redistricting plans that discriminate against Latino voters.

January 4, 2012   MALDEF SUBMITS EQUITY MAP FOR CHICAGO

Calling for 14 majority Latino wards, 18 African-American wards, and keeping the communities of Chinatown and Back of the Yards together while maintaining the legal population requirements based on the 2010 Census numbers, is the foundation of the proposed Equity map filed today by MALDEF with the city of Chicago.

December 30, 2011   MALDEF CONTINUES BATTLE TO ENSURE EQUITABLE EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS IN ILLINOIS

MALDEF has joined a pending case against Illinois School District U-46. The federal court case is continuing on to the third phase of trial in Delgado v. Board of Education for Illinois School District U-46. Filed in 2005, this case represents an important fight in MALDEF’s battle to achieve fair and equitable treatment for Latino students in our educational systems.

December 20, 2011   SUIT TO STOP INDIANA'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL ANTI-IMMIGRANT LAW ADDRESSES PREVIOUSLY UNCHALLENGED PROVISIONS

Today, MALDEF filed suit on behalf of La Union Benefica Mexicana, a Latino community and civic organization in Northern Indiana, against the State of Indiana to strike down two previously-unchallenged provisions of the State's anti-immigrant law known as Senate Bill 590 (SB 590).

December 15, 2011   MALDEF VICTORY: FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS UPHOLDS THE PROTECTION OF ALL PERSONS IN REDISTRICTING

Yesterday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled against several residents of Irving, Texas who sought to compel the City of Irving to adopt voting maps for city council districts that ignored thousands of city residents.

December 13, 2011   MALDEF LAWSUIT: TEXAS’ SCHOOL FUNDING SYSTEM UNLAWFULLY SHORTCHANGES MANY DISTRICTS AND STUDENTS, INCLUDING LOW INCOME AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER CHILDREN

Today, against the backdrop of the Dr. Jose A. Cardenas Early Childhood Center – located in the school district at the center of MALDEF’s first landmark school finance case, Edgewood v. Kirby, back in the 1980s – MALDEF announced the filing of a major education funding lawsuit against the State of Texas.

December 12, 2011   MAJOR MALDEF VICTORY IN LANDMARK COLORADO SCHOOL FINANCE CASE

On Friday, a state district court in Denver, Colorado ruled in favor of plaintiffs in the State's first adequacy case, Lobato v. Colorado, a lawsuit in which MALDEF represented Colorado parents as plaintiff-intervenors seeking adequate funding for at-risk and English Language Learner ("ELL") students in the Colorado school finance system.

November 23, 2011   COURT-RELEASED MAP PROMISES IMPORTANT MALDEF VICTORY FOR LATINOS IN TEXAS

Today, MALDEF's tireless efforts in Texas federal courts have resulted in a court-proposed plan that promises increased Latino electoral opportunity throughout the state. A panel of federal judges in San Antonio has released a new redistricting plan that will improve representation for Texas Latinos, including the creation of an additional Latino opportunity district in South Texas.

November 18, 2011   LATINOS MAKE FORWARD PROGRESS IN NEW TEXAS HOUSE REDISTRICTING PLANS

Today, a federal three-judge panel in San Antonio, Texas released new redistricting plans for the Texas Housee of Representatives. The plan released by a majority of judges contains additional Latino opportunity districts.

November 8, 2011   D.C. COURT DENIES FAST-TRACK APPROVAL OF TEXAS REDISTRICTING PLANS

Today, the federal district court in Washington, D.C. issued an order denying a request by Texas for expedited approval of the State's congressional, Texas House and Texas Senate redistricting plans.

November 8, 2011   MALDEF MOURNS THE LOSS OF CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER HARRY PACHON

MALDEF mourns the recent passing of Professor Harry Pachon, the longtime leader of the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute (TRPI). Dr. Pachon had a lengthy and groundbreaking career as a leader in the effort to advance the rights of Latinos and other minorities in the United States.

September 20, 2011   MALDEF HONORS THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF DR. JOSÉ ÁNGEL CÁRDENAS, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR EMERITUS OF THE INTERCULTURAL DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH ASSOCIATION

Nationally esteemed professional educator, unsurpassed bilingual education expert and indomitable civil rights advocate Dr. José Ángel Cárdenas has passed away.

September 16, 2011   NINTH CIRCUIT COURT RULING SETS POSITIVE PRECEDENT FOR DAY LABORER RIGHTS

Today, in a precedent-setting 9-2 decision in favor of day laborers, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's decision in Comité de Jornaleros de Redondo Beach v. City of Redondo Beach, striking down the City of Redondo Beach's anti-solicitation ordinance as a "facially unconstitutional restriction on speech."

September 13, 2011   MALDEF SECURES PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION IN NEW MEXICO DRIVER'S LICENSE LAWSUIT

MALDEF has secured a preliminary injunction against the New Mexico Secretary of Tax and Revenue's so-called "Residency Certification Program" on the grounds that the Secretary has likely violated the right to equal protection under the New Mexico Constitution.

September 2, 2011   STATE COURT JUDGE GRANTS TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST NEW MEXICO'S ANTI-LATINO DRIVER'S LICENSE RE-CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

This week, Judge Singleton of the First Judicial District in Santa Fe ordered the New Mexico Secretary of Tax and Revenue to put a stop to the so-called "Residency Certification Program."

August 24, 2011   LAWSUIT NECESSARY FOR IMMEDIATE HALT TO NEW MEXICO GOVERNOR'S UNLAWFUL DRIVER'S LICENSE "RESIDENCY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM"

Today, MALDEF and the New Mexico law firm of Freedman Boyd Hollander Goldberg Ives & Duncan (Freedman Boyd) filed suit against the Secretary of the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, on behalf of a group of New Mexico legislators and residents of New Mexico, in order to stop the implementation and execution of Governor Martinez's so-called "Residency Certification Program."

August 23, 2011   REDISTRICTING: MALDEF INTERVENES IN DC COURT TO PROTECT TEXAS LATINO VOTING STRENGTH

Yesterday, in Washington DC, MALDEF filed a Motion to Intervene on behalf of the Texas Latino Redistricting Task Force in an effort to prevent the reduction of Latino voting strength in the ongoing Texas redistricting process.

August 10, 2011   AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION HOUSE OF DELEGATES UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED RESOLUTION OPPOSING ALTERATIONS TO 14TH AMENDMENT CITIZENSHIP CLAUSE

Yesterday, at its 2011 annual meeting, the American Bar Association House of Delegates approved, by unanimous voice vote, a resolution, sponsored by the ABA Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities, to oppose any efforts to alter or amend the longstanding interpretation and application of the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

August 5, 2011   MALDEF: SECURE COMMUNITIES CHANGES POSE DANGER; FATALLY FLAWED PROGRAM TO CONTINUE UNCHECKED BY STATES

Today, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced changes to the Secure Communities program, unilaterally abrogating all agreements with states, and indicating that the program will be imposed in all states, regardless of any state officials' desire to opt out of the program.

August 1, 2011   UNITED STATES FILES SUIT CHALLENGING ALABAMA ANTI-IMMIGRANT LAW

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) today filed a federal challenge to Alabama's draconian anti-immigrant law. Modeled on Arizona's infamous SB 1070 but taking it to even greater extremes, the Alabama law is considered the most pernicious anti-immigrant state law to date.

August 1, 2011   REDISTRICTING ACTION ALERT: CALL YOUR LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERVISORS TO DRAW A SECOND LATINO DISTRICT

On July 13, 2011, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Advisory Commission recommended a map to the five Board members that fails to create a second Latino-majority supervisorial district as required by the federal Voting Rights Act.

July 29, 2011   SCHOOL FUNDING TRIAL AGAINST STATE OF COLORADO BEGINS MONDAY AUGUST 1

Today, MALDEF held a press conference in front of the Colorado Department of Education to announce the beginning of the trial in Lobato v. Colorado. The trial begins on Monday, August 1, 2011, eighteen months after MALDEF filed legal papers on behalf of low income families.

July 29, 2011   RICHARD E. CHAVEZ: Memorial Services for Iconic United Farm Worker Leader

On Sunday, July 31, 2011, we will gather with family members and loved ones for a memorial service in honor of Richard Chavez. We encourage you to attend the candle light procession, which begins at 7 p.m. and will be followed by an all-night vigil.

July 28, 2011   MALDEF HONORS THE LIFE OF RICHARD E. CHAVEZ, FARMWORKER JUSTICE ADVOCATE AND CIVIL RIGHTS HERO (NOV. 12, 1929 - JULY 27, 2011)

The civil rights community has suffered a major and heartbreaking loss; Richard E. Chavez, long-time advocate for farmworker and civil rights and brother to Cesar Chavez, has passed away in Bakersfield, California. He was 81.

July 28, 2011   MALDEF SECURES COURT RULING TO STOP DPS FROM DENYING DRIVER’S LICENSES TO IMMIGRANTS LEGALLY WORKING AND LIVING IN TEXAS

Yesterday, the 345th District Court in Travis County granted a declaratory judgment and enjoined the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) from enforcing rules it created that deny driver's licenses to immigrants living and working in Texas with authorization from the federal government.

July 28, 2011   TEXAS REDISTRICTING: ANTI-IMMIGRANT LAWSUIT DROPPED AFTER MALDEF JOINS CASE

Yesterday, a federal district court in San Antonio, Texas granted the Texas Latino Redistricting Task Force's request to join as a defendant in Teuber v. Texas, a case in which plaintiffs sought to exclude Latino residents from the 2010 Census figures that Texas uses for redistricting.

July 28, 2011   SCHOOL FUNDING TRIAL BEGINS AGAINST STATE OF COLORADO

On Friday, July 29, 2011, MALDEF will hold a press conference in front of the Colorado Department of Education to announce that the trial in Lobato v. Colorado will begin on Monday, August 1, 2011, one year and a half after MALDEF filed legal papers in the lawsuit.

July 22, 2011   LATINOS JOIN COLORADO REDISTRICTING LITIGATION TO PRESERVE AND ADVANCE ELECTORAL STRENGTH

Latino groups and voters seek the creation of fair election districts that reflect growth of Latino Population

July 21, 2011   LATINA STUDENT'S CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATED BY BIG BEAR MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER, SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MALDEF Suit Seeks Reforms of Practices that Created Hostile Learning Environment and Deprived Student of Equal Opportunity

July 21, 2011   MALDEF FILES LAWSUIT CHALLENGING LEAGUE CITY'S ANTI-SOLICITATION POLICY

Plaintiff also challenges constitutionality of Texas anti-solicitation law

July 20, 2011   MALDEF SECURES NINTH CIRCUIT VICTORY IN TUCSON SCHOOL DISTRICT DESEGREGATION AND CIVIL RIGHTS CASE

Yesterday, in Fisher/Mendoza v. Tucson Unified School District, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court decision that terminated court jurisdiction over school desegregation policies in Tucson. MALDEF, along with co-counsel from law firm Proskauer Rose LLP, served as attorneys for the Mendoza plaintiffs.

June 21, 2011   MALDEF VP HONORED WITH KCET LOCAL HERO AWARD DURING 2011 LGBT PRIDE MONTH

In honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, David Damian Figueroa, MALDEF Vice President of Development and Communications, has been selected by KCET – our nation’s largest independent public television station – as one of five inaugural LGBT Local Heroes who devote their time and energy doing the critical work for our communities, but who’s work often goes unrecognized.

June 17, 2011   MALDEF AND LATINO COALITION SUIT CHARGES TEXAS MAPS VIOLATE THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT

Latino groups and voters seek the creation of fair election districts that reflect growth of Latino population

June 17, 2011   MALDEF Response to Secure Communities Program Changes

Reforms are Inadequate to Resolve Program’s Problems

June 16, 2011   ACTOR AND ACTIVIST EVA LONGORIA JOINS CONGRESSWOMAN LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD (CA-34) IN A RENEWED PUSH TO PROTECT CHILD FARMWORKERS IN THE UNITED STATES

At a press conference on Capitol Hill, Actor and Activist Eva Longoria joined Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) and other child advocates today in announcing the introduction of "The Children's Act for Responsible Employment" (CARE), legislation which ensures adequate protections for children working in our nation’s agricultural fields.

May 31, 2011   TEXAS LATINO REDISTRICTING TASK FORCE BLASTS LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR CONGRESSIONAL MAP

Today the Texas Latino Redistricting Task Force strongly criticized a proposed congressional map released by the chairmen of the House and Senate redistricting committees.

May 27, 2011   MALDEF OPPOSES LATEST ILLINOIS LEGISLATIVE REDISTRICTING PLAN

After analyzing HB3760, the legislative redistricting map passed earlier today by the Illinois House, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) opposes the plan because it fractures communities of interest and weakens the voting strength of Latino neighborhoods.

May 26, 2011   MALDEF CRITICIZES SUPREME COURT DECISION UPHOLDING ARIZONA E-VERIFY LAW

Today, in Chamber of Commerce v. Whiting, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld an Arizona law that penalizes employers who fail to follow state law on the hiring of undocumented immigrants. Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel of MALDEF, issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision:

May 16, 2011   MALDEF APPLAUDS FEDERAL ACTION TO ENSURE THAT EVERY CHILD HAS ACCESS TO PUBLIC EDUCATION

Because of the intervention of University Leadership Initiative ("ULI"), hard-working undocumented immigrant students no longer face a legal claim from the Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas (IRCOT) to be stripped of their right to pay instate tuition and take part in the "Texas Dream" of achieving a quality higher education.

May 11, 2011   MALDEF APPLAUDS FEDERAL ACTION TO ENSURE THAT EVERY CHILD HAS ACCESS TO PUBLIC EDUCATION

Last week, the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education issued a joint "Dear Colleague" letter directing state and local educational agencies to enroll all children living in their districts, regardless of actual or perceived status of student or parent.

May 11, 2011   MALDEF CALLS ON COMMUNITY LEADERS, PARENTS TO ADVOCATE FOR EQUITY IN IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS

An important initiative is catching on nationwide to assure that public schools everywhere provide education on the same set of core skills and knowledge.

Apr 25, 2011   MALDEF RELEASES ILLINOIS LEGISLATIVE REDISTRICTING MAP

MALDEF will release its proposed Illinois legislative redistricting map and testify before the General Assembly Redistricting Committee today, April 25, 2011 at 3:00 pm in Room 114 of the Capitol Building in Springfield.

Apr 11, 2011   MALDEF AND NDLON STATEMENTS IN RESPONSE TO COURT RULING IN REDONDO BEACH DAY LABORER CASE

Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted the plaintiffs' request for rehearing en banc in Comite de Jornaleros de Redondo Beach v. City of Redondo Beach...

Apr 11, 2011   MALDEF'S "Latino State of the State" Signals Return of National Latino Organization to Full-Time Advocacy in Sacramento

Leading Latino Legal Civil Rights Organization Hosts Inaugural California Event, Outlining 2011 Public Policy Priorities and Legal Challenges for Latinos in California.

Apr 11, 2011   NINTH CIRCUIT COURT CONFIRMS THAT ARIZONA'S SB 1070 ANTI-IMMIGRANT LAW CANNOT TAKE EFFECT

MALDEF Welcomes Warning to Anti-Immigrant Proposals in Other States.

Apr 8, 2011   MALDEF UNVEILS TEXAS REDISTRICTING PLANS AT STATE CAPITOL

Today, MALDEF, along with other partners in the Texas Latino Redistricting Task Force, unveiled initial proposed Texas congressional redistricting maps at the State Capitol in Austin.

Mar 2, 2011   MALDEF, LATINO OFFICERS CHARGE CITY OF WESTMINSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION

Today, MALDEF held a press conference announcing a lawsuit filed against the City of Westminster, as well as two former Police Chiefs of the Westminster Police Department, for discrimination against Latino police officers on the basis of their national origin.

Feb 25, 2011   THOMAS A. SAENZ AND JESSE RUIZ APPOINTED MEMBERS OF U.S. DEPARMENT OF EDUCATION EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE COMMISSION

United States Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, has appointed MALDEF President and General Counsel, Thomas A. Saenz, and MALDEF board member, Jesse Ruiz, among twenty-eight members of the Department of Education’s newly created Equity and Excellence Commission.

Feb 21, 2011   THE LOPEZ FOUNDATION PLEDGES PROCEEDS TO MALDEF FROM ARIZONA CONCERT

George Lopez, comedian, actor and host of late-night talk show "Lopez Tonight," pledged $20,000 to MALDEF from the proceeds of his January 29 concert in Phoenix, Arizona.

Feb 15, 2011   MALDEF CELEBRATES TEXAS RULING UPHOLDING FAIR APPORTIONMENT FOR LATINOS

Today, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas rejected an apportionment challenge that sought to force the City of Irving, Texas to discriminate against Latino voters in drawing the map for city council districts.

Feb 10, 2011   CIVIL RIGHTS COALITION RESPONDS TO GOVERNOR BREWER'S ANNOUNCEMENT IN SB 1070 LAWSUIT

Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona announced today that the state of Arizona will introduce several counterclaims against the U.S. government in the ongoing litigation over SB 1070, Arizona's racial profiling law.

Jan 28, 2011   MALDEF CONDEMNS RADICAL ATTEMPT TO ERODE LONG-SETTLED AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP CLAUSE OF THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT

homas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel of MALDEF, issued the statement below in response to a radical proposal by Republican Sens. David Vitter (La.) and Rand Paul (Ky.)...

Jan 3, 2011   MALDEF APPOINTS NINA PERALES, NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY, AS DIRECTOR OF LITIGATION

This week, Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel, announced important developments in the leadership of the MALDEF national litigation team.

Dec 27, 2010   CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ORGANIZATIONS ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT ON REAPPORTIONMENT DATA

Today, MALDEF, along with other civil rights and civic engagement organizations, issued the following statement regarding the recently released reapportionment data.

Dec 21, 2010   MALDEF RESPONDS TO NEW CENSUS APPORTIONMENT FIGURES

Today, the United States Census Bureau released its state-by-state total population results for the 2010 Census, and with them the number of seats each state receives in the U.S. House of Representatives under reapportionment for the 113th Congress, which convenes in January 2013.

Dec 20, 2010   MALDEF & NEA: Joint Report Aims To Improve Minority Parental Engagement In Children's Schools

MALDEF is committed to helping school officials and parents increase minority student academic achievement

Dec 18, 2010   MALDEF RESPONDS TO SENATE DREAM ACT VOTE

Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF President and General Counsel, Statement on DREAM Act Vote by the U.S. Senate

Dec 17, 2010   ACTION ALERT: THE DREAM ACT - CALL KEY SENATORS BEFORE SATURDAY TO HELP PASS THE DREAM ACT

Call key Senators NOW and urge them to support the DREAM Act.

Dec 13, 2010   DREAM ACT: MALDEF, NDLON, JOSÉ JOSÉ, DOLORES HUERTA AND DREAM ACT STUDENTS ORGANIZED PHONE-BANKING OUTREACH EVENT

This past Saturday, MALDEF partnered with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) as well as Dolores Huerta, José José and students from DREAM Team LA and the Orange County DREAM Team to organize a phone-banking outreach event to urge passage of the DREAM Act in the Senate.

Dec 10, 2010   MALDEF SUPPORTS DOLORES HUERTA, ARIZONA STUDENTS ON TWELFTH DAY OF FAST IN SUPPORT OF DREAM ACT OUTSIDE SENATOR MCCAIN'S OFFICE

Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF President and General Counsel, Introduces Open Letter Written by Dolores Huerta to Senator John. McCain

Dec 9, 2010   MALDEF RESPONDS TO SENATE DREAM ACT VOTE

Today, the U.S. Senate voted to delay an up-or-down vote on the DREAM Act (the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act). By a vote of 59-40, the Senate voted to table the motion to proceed on the motion for cloture.

Dec 8, 2010   MALDEF RESPONDS TO HOUSE PASSAGE OF DREAM ACT

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on the latest version of the DREAM Act (the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act). The final vote was 216-198 in favor of passing the DREAM Act.

Dec 8, 2010   THE DREAM ACT - CALL CONGRESS TO PASS THE DREAM ACT AND TUNE IN FOR THE VOTE

TODAY, both the House and Senate will be taking up the DREAM Act. Call your respective senators and house member NOW! Dial: 1-888-254-5087 or 202-224-3121.

Nov 30, 2010   NOW IS THE TIME TO TURN THE DREAM ACT INTO A REALITY!!

Call your respective senators and house member to tell them to call the DREAM Act for a vote before the end of this Congress, this year!

Nov 15, 2010   MALDEF LAUDS CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT RULING UPHOLDING AB 540

MALDEF applauded the California Supreme Court's ruling in Martinez v. Regents, upholding the California law known as AB 540.

Oct 26, 2010   MALDEF WINS NINTH CIRCUIT DECISION OVERTURNING ONEROUS ARIZONA VOTER REGISTRATION LAW

Court ruling comes one week before a critical national election and stands as a warning to anyone who seeks to deter or prevent voter participation

Oct 15, 2010   MALDEF AND NDLON STATEMENTS IN RESPONSE TO COURT RULING IN REDONDO BEACH DAY LABORER CASE

Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel of MALDEF, issued the following statement in response to the ruling this afternoon in Comite de Jornaleros, et al v. City of Redondo.

Oct 14, 2010   MALDEF ANNOUNCES POSITIONS AND ENDORSEMENTS ON NOVEMBER 2, 2010 CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA BALLOT PROPOSITIONS

Today, MALDEF announced positions and endorsements on seven ballot propositions appearing on California's statewide election ballots, one ballot proposition appearing on San Francisco County election ballots, and three ballot propositions appearing on Arizona's statewide election ballots. All ballots are scheduled for November 2, 2010

Oct 7, 2010   ROSA GLORIA CHAGOYÁN SELECTS MALDEF AS CHARITY FOR UNIVISION’S "¡MIRA QUIÉN BAILA!"

The Popular Mexican Singer/Actress Makes Highly Anticipated Return to Television to Dance for a Charitable Cause.

Oct 7, 2010   LOS TIGRES DEL NORTE AND LOS LOBOS PERFORMED AT MALDEF’S "TRUTH IN IMMIGRATION" EDUCATIONAL CONCERT

Los Tigres del Norte and Los Lobos joined Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF President and General Counsel, to deliver messages of humanity and hope during concert

Oct 1, 2010   Amicus Brief Opposing Arizona's Racial Profiling Law

MALDEF and a coalition of civil rights groups today filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, urging the court to keep in place an injunction blocking the core provisions of SB 1070, Arizona’s racial profiling law.

Sep 21, 2010   MALDEF'S PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL RESPONDS TO SENATE VOTE ON DREAM ACT

LOS ANGELES, CA - Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF President and General Counsel, issued the following statement in response to today’s Senate vote on the defense authorization bill (S. 3454), which contained an amendment for the "Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2009" (S. 729), more commonly known as the DREAM Act:

Aug 30, 2010   Los Tigres Del Norte Announced Group's Participation In Benefit Concert Supporting MALDEF’S "Truth In Immigration" Campaign

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, at MALDEF National Headquarters, Latin Music legends Los Tigres del Norte announced the group’s participation in an upcoming benefit concert supporting MALDEF’s "Truth in Immigration" campaign. In partnering with MALDEF for the Truth in Immigration Campaign, Los Tigres del Norte will continue to spread messages of hope and inspiration to millions of Latinos in the United States and throughout the world through the group’s evocative, chart-topping and critically acclaimed music.

Aug 25, 2010   MALDEF, GALEO Criticize DOJ’s approval Of Discriminatory Voting Procedures In Georgia after one-day review

ATLANTA, GA – MALDEF and the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO), have filed a notice in the ongoing lawsuit, Georgia v. Holder, protesting the abrupt decision by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on August 18 after a one-day review by the agency to administratively approve a set of flawed and racially discriminatory voter registration procedures proposed by the State of Georgia.

Aug 25, 2010   Civil Rights Organizations Release Redistricting Guide To Promote Community Participation In 2011 Redistricting Processes

LOS ANGELES, CA - Today, three leading civil rights groups launched a campaign to promote their collaborative redistricting guide for the upcoming local, state and congressional redistricting processes. MALDEF, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), and the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), a member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice, have joined forces to produce "The Impact of Redistricting In Your Community: A Guide to Redistricting."

Aug 20, 2010   MALDEF Mourns Death of Co-Founder Mario Guerra Obledo, "Godfather of Latino Movement"

Civil rights pioneer and MALDEF Co-Founder Mario G. Obledo passed away in Sacramento on Wednesday August 18, 2010 at the age of 78. Obledo was Co-Founder of MALDEF, "the law firm of the Latino community."

Aug 5, 2010   Trio of Latino Non-Profits to Send a Message through Music with Unveiling of High Profile Performances Honoring Latino Culture in the U.S.

On August 2, 2010, a trio of Latino non-profit organizations jointly unveiled August and September dates for a series of concerts developed by the respective organizations to honor Latino culture and history and to bring awareness to the ongoing need for comprehensive immigration reform. The historical series of performances by icons of Latino music and multiple Grammy winners spans both traditional and contemporary genres and will begin on August 13, with the Dolores Huerta Foundation’s concert at the Greek Theater in Hollywood, will continue from September 16 – 26, 2010 with the 19th Annual San José Mexican Heritage & Mariachi Festival, and will end on September 28, with MALDEF’s "Truth in Immigration" Benefit Concert at the Gibson Amphitheater in Universal City. Headliners for the concerts and performances include: Carlos Santana, Eugenia Leon, Intocable, Los Tigres del Norte, Los Lobos, Ozomatli, Los Tex Maniacs, Mariachi Cobre and Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano.

Aug 4, 2010   MALDEF Neutral on Elena Kagan

Today, the Huffington Post published an article by Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF President and General Counsel, in which he explains that MALDEF has reluctantly decided not to take a position on Elena Kagan's Supreme Court nomination, largely because the federal government's judicial selection process does not adequately account for the legal concerns of an increasingly Latino United States. This rare decision comes because Kagan's record as an attorney is too ambiguous for MALDEF to make an informed determination about her current knowledge and potential understanding of Latino legal concerns, such as immigration and "the use of race-linked proxies for discrimination." An excerpt from the Huffington Post article is below:

Jul 28, 2010   Court Blocks Major Provisions of Arizona's Anti-Immigrant Law

A federal court in Phoenix today blocks major provisions of Arizona’s anti-immigrant law, known as SB 1070, pending a final court ruling on its constitutionality. This ruling ensures that, until a final order is issued by the court, Arizona will be unable to establish its new state immigration scheme that potentially penalizes anyone who does not carry proof of status, including non-citizens who do not carry registration documents, such as those immigrants in transitional status whom the federal government allows to live in the U.S. The federal court issued its order in a case filed by the United States government raising claims parallel to those raised in the suit filed earlier by MALDEF and a coalition of civil rights groups.

Jul 23, 2010   Infant Returned to Mother After Missouri Appellate Court Reaffirms Parental Rights of Immigrant Parent

On July 21, 2010, in the case of In Re The Adoption Of C.M.B.R., a Missouri appellate judge reversed the lower court’s grant of an adoption of the child of an undocumented immigrant on the grounds that the mother’s parental rights were unlawfully destroyed through an improper adoption procedure. The child had been "placed" for adoption by the child's babysitters with neither the knowledge nor the consent of the mother. MALDEF had filed an amicus brief in the case out of concern that the lower court judge had improperly considered the mother’s immigration status when he terminated the mother’s parental rights. The appellate court held that the adoption was invalid and ordered the child be returned to the mother.

Jul 20, 2010   MALDEF and Other Civil Rights Groups in Court Thursday at 10 A.M. to Block Implementation of Arizona’s Racial Profiling Law

Jul 14, 2010   MALDEF Condemns Intimidation of Latinos in Utah

Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF President and General Counsel, issued the following statement in response to the revelation that an anonymous group has compiled and publicly disseminated the names and information of 1,300 Utah residents, most of whom possess Latino surnames. The list was mailed to federal and state officials – including law enforcement agencies – and various media outlets:

Jul 13, 2010   Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against 24 Hour Fitness for Racial and Gender Discrimination

MALDEF and the law firm of Lewis, Feinberg, Lee, Renaker & Jackson, P.C. announced that they filed a class action law suit on behalf of employees of 24 Hour Fitness USA, Inc. alleging discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin and gender. The lawsuit, Fulcher v. 24 Hour Fitness, was filed in Alameda County Superior Court.

Jul 6, 2010   MALDEF Issues Statement in Response to U.S. Department of Justice Lawsuit Against Arizona's Anti-Immigrant Law SB 1070

MALDEF issued a response to the announcement by the United States Department of Justice of its decision to file suit against Arizona and legally challenge the constitutionality of Arizona's racially discriminatory, anti-immigrant law known as SB 1070.

Jul 1, 2010   MALDEF President and General Counsel Responds to President's Address on Immigration Reform

Jun 30, 2010   MALDEF to Receive Proceeds from Ry Cooder's New Single

Ry Cooder created his new single "Quicksand" in response to anti-immigrant law SB 1070 and the ongoing Arizona immigration battle. SB 1070 requires police to demand ‘papers’ from people they stop who they suspect are "unlawfully present" in the U.S.

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