Court Cases

Read about some of MALDEF’s work in the courts to uphold the civil rights of all Latinos.

Education

MALDEF INTERVENES ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS TO DEFEND THE TEXAS DREAM ACT

Jun 11, 2025

San Antonio – A Latino civil rights organization has filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit that rescinded in-state tuition for students without lawful immigration status in Texas, according to papers filed today.

MALDEF ASKS COURT TO COMPEL NEW MEXICO TO RESOLVE DEFICIENCIES IN PUBLIC EDUCATION

Sep 17, 2024

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO – Civil rights attorneys are asking a state court to force New Mexico education officials to come up with a plan to address longstanding deficiencies in the state’s K-12 public education system.

Employment

MALDEF STATEMENT ON SETTLEMENT WITH MARTIN FAMILY FARMS

Jul 15, 2024

On September 8, 2020, MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational

MALDEF FILES JOB DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE LOS ANGELES PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE

Jul 7, 2023

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s promotion policy unlawfully discriminates against Latino attorneys, according to a federal lawsuit filed Friday against Los Angeles County.

Immigrants’ Rights

FEDERAL COURT ALLOWS CHALLENGE TO LAS VEGAS/ICE POLICY ON IMMIGRANT DETAINERS TO PROCEED

Jun 20, 2025

LAS VEGAS – A U.S. District Court Judge denied a request by federal immigration officials to be removed as a defendant from a challenge to the City of Las Vegas’s use of unlawful immigration detainers to hold individuals past their release dates on Friday, June 13.

MALDEF INTERVENES ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS TO DEFEND THE TEXAS DREAM ACT

Jun 11, 2025

Voting Rights

MALDEF CHALLENGES 2021 REDISTRICTING MAPS FOR STANISLAUS COUNTY

Apr 23, 2025

LOS ANGELES – A Latino civil rights group is suing Stanislaus County and its officials over county redistricting maps that violate the federal Voting Rights Act and dilute the voting strength of Latino voters, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday.

APPEALS COURT SAYS ARIZONA VOTER PURGE LAW MAY BE DISCRIMINATORY

Mar 3, 2025

Case Returns to District Court for Further Proceedings on Intent Claim

Access to Justice

ILLINOIS ENACTS LANGUAGE EQUITY BILL FOR ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

Dec 23, 2024

(CHICAGO) – MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) partnered with Illinois state lawmakers to enact a law requiring interpretive assistance for people with limited English proficiency who have low incomes or who represent themselves in state administrative hearings.

JUDGE REJECTS TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL’S EFFORT TO SHUT DOWN HOUSTON NON-PROFIT

Aug 23, 2024

(HOUSTON) – A Texas state judge denied Attorney General Ken Paxton’s attempt to sue a Houston-based non-profit, according to an order entered on Friday. Today’s ruling prevents Paxton’s proposed lawsuit from moving forward and also denies Paxton’s request for a temporary injunction to shut down the non-profit.

Freedom from open and obvious bias and racism

EX-TEACHER WHO THREATENED LATINO FRUIT VENDOR WITH RACIAL SLURS ORDERED TO PAY DAMAGES

Mar 1, 2025

LOS ANGELES – A former public school teacher who launched a racist and anti-immigrant tirade against a Santa Clarita street vendor was ordered by a judge to pay over $49,000 for his harmful actions.

JUDGE GRANTS PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF CLASS-ACTION SETTLEMENT IN DISCRIMINATORY-LENDING LAWSUIT

Feb 5, 2025

LOS ANGELES – A federal judge has granted preliminary approval of a class-action settlement between Kinecta Credit Union and recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and other immigrants who were denied full consideration for credit because of their immigration status.

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Court Cases

Education

MALDEF INTERVENES ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS TO DEFEND THE TEXAS DREAM ACT

MALDEF ASKS COURT TO COMPEL NEW MEXICO TO RESOLVE DEFICIENCIES IN PUBLIC EDUCATION

Employment

MALDEF STATEMENT ON SETTLEMENT WITH MARTIN FAMILY FARMS

MALDEF FILES JOB DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE LOS ANGELES PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE

Immigrants’ Rights

FEDERAL COURT ALLOWS CHALLENGE TO LAS VEGAS/ICE POLICY ON IMMIGRANT DETAINERS TO PROCEED

MALDEF INTERVENES ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS TO DEFEND THE TEXAS DREAM ACT

Voting Rights

MALDEF CHALLENGES 2021 REDISTRICTING MAPS FOR STANISLAUS COUNTY

APPEALS COURT SAYS ARIZONA VOTER PURGE LAW MAY BE DISCRIMINATORY

Access to Justice

ILLINOIS ENACTS LANGUAGE EQUITY BILL FOR ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

JUDGE REJECTS TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL’S EFFORT TO SHUT DOWN HOUSTON NON-PROFIT

Freedom from open and obvious bias and racism

EX-TEACHER WHO THREATENED LATINO FRUIT VENDOR WITH RACIAL SLURS ORDERED TO PAY DAMAGES

JUDGE GRANTS PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF CLASS-ACTION SETTLEMENT IN DISCRIMINATORY-LENDING LAWSUIT

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

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