Court Cases

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

Education

MALDEF SEEKS TO INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS TO DEFEND OKLAHOMA TUITION POLICY

Nov 5, 2025

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — A Latino civil rights organization filed a motion last week to intervene in a lawsuit that rescinded regular tuition for students without lawful immigration status in Oklahoma.

MALDEF FILES APPEAL OF COURT DECISION BLOCKING STUDENTS FROM DEFENDING THE TEXAS DREAM ACT

Sep 22, 2025

WICHITA FALLS, TX —A Latino civil rights organization filed an appeal of a federal district court decision that denied some immigrant students the opportunity to defend a law allowing them to pay the same tuition as most students at public schools and universities in Texas.

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

MALDEF SEEKS TO INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS TO DEFEND OKLAHOMA TUITION POLICY

Nov 5, 2025

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — A Latino civil rights organization filed a motion last week to intervene in a lawsuit that rescinded regular tuition for students without lawful immigration status in Oklahoma.

MALDEF CHALLENGES SPOKANE CREDIT UNION FOR VIOLATING WASHINGTON STATE LAW BY DISCRIMINATING AGAINST DACA RECIPIENTS

Oct 22, 2025

PASCO, Wash.– A Latino civil rights organization is challenging, for a second time, the discriminatory policies of a Spokane, Washington-based credit union for unlawfully denying DACA recipients financial services based on their citizenship or immigration status.

Voting Rights

MALDEF REQUESTS EN BANC REHEARING IN ARKANSAS VOTING RIGHTS CASE

Sep 2, 2025

FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. – A Latino civil rights group is seeking an en banc review by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in a challenge to an Arkansas law that places a limit on who may assist voters at the polls, including those who are not proficient in English, according to papers filed last week.

MALDEF STATEMENT ON NINTH CIRCUIT DECISION IN WASHINGTON STATE REDISTRICTING CASE

Aug 28, 2025

(SEATTLE)— The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on Wednesday rejected appeals brought by three voters who attempted to overturn a federal district court’s ruling in Soto Palmer v. Hobbs, a case challenging Washington state’s Yakima Valley legislative map.

Access to Justice

MALDEF TAKES A STEP TOWARD CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF U.S. CITIZEN DETAINED BY ICE

Jul 2, 2025

LOS ANGELES – A Latino civil rights organization is taking a first step toward a civil lawsuit and asking the federal government to pay damages of $1 million to a United States citizen who was assaulted and unlawfully detained by federal immigration officers in front of a Home Depot.

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.

Freedom from open and obvious bias and racism

MALDEF FILES DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF TRANSGENDER VOLLEYBALL PLAYER DENIED SCHOLARSHIP

Aug 11, 2025

LOS ANGELES– A Latino civil rights organization is suing a private university and two collegiate athletic organizations for revoking a volleyball player’s scholarship offer and denying her eligibility because she is transgender, according to papers filed in federal...

MALDEF TAKES A STEP TOWARD CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF U.S. CITIZEN DETAINED BY ICE

Jul 2, 2025

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Court Cases

Education

MALDEF SEEKS TO INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS TO DEFEND OKLAHOMA TUITION POLICY

MALDEF FILES APPEAL OF COURT DECISION BLOCKING STUDENTS FROM DEFENDING THE TEXAS DREAM ACT

Employment

MALDEF STATEMENT ON SETTLEMENT WITH MARTIN FAMILY FARMS

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

Immigrants’ Rights

MALDEF SEEKS TO INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS TO DEFEND OKLAHOMA TUITION POLICY

MALDEF CHALLENGES SPOKANE CREDIT UNION FOR VIOLATING WASHINGTON STATE LAW BY DISCRIMINATING AGAINST DACA RECIPIENTS

Voting Rights

MALDEF REQUESTS EN BANC REHEARING IN ARKANSAS VOTING RIGHTS CASE

MALDEF STATEMENT ON NINTH CIRCUIT DECISION IN WASHINGTON STATE REDISTRICTING CASE

Access to Justice

MALDEF TAKES A STEP TOWARD CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF U.S. CITIZEN DETAINED BY ICE

ILLINOIS ENACTS LANGUAGE EQUITY BILL FOR ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

Freedom from open and obvious bias and racism

MALDEF FILES DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF TRANSGENDER VOLLEYBALL PLAYER DENIED SCHOLARSHIP

MALDEF TAKES A STEP TOWARD CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF U.S. CITIZEN DETAINED BY ICE

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

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