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 VIRGINIA TUITION POLICY

Jan 16, 2026

Richmond, VA – A Latino civil rights organization filed a motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit seeking to eliminate regular tuition for students without lawful immigration status in Virginia, according to papers filed in federal court Thursday.

JUDGE ALLOWS IMMIGRANT STUDENTS TO INTERVENE TO DEFEND KENTUCKY TUITION POLICY

Nov 20, 2025

FRANKFORT, KY– Students represented by MALDEF, a Latino civil rights organization, can intervene in a federal-government lawsuit seeking to eliminate regular tuition rates for students without lawful immigration status in Kentucky, according to a court order issued yesterday.

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 AND GRADFIN REACH AGREEMENT IN LAWSUIT

Mar 12, 2026

LOS ANGELES – A Colorado resident, who allegedly was denied services by a student loan refinancing and consultation company, has reached a confidential settlement agreement with the company.

MALDEF FILES CLAIM ON BEHALF OF IMMIGRANT FOR DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT AND PRIVACY VIOLATIONS BY HARBOR-UCLA MEDICAL CENTER

Mar 5, 2026

LOS ANGELES – A Latino civil rights organization is taking a first step toward a civil lawsuit and seeking $250,000 in damages from Harbor-UCLA Medical Center for an immigrant who was subjected to discriminatory and unlawful treatment while receiving medical treatment under continuous surveillance by federal immigration agents stationed in his room.

Voting Rights

MALDEF SEEKS SUPREME COURT REVIEW OF VOTING RIGHTS DECISIONS IN TEXAS AND ARKANSAS

Feb 4, 2026

LOS ANGELES– A Latino civil rights group is seeking Supreme Court review in two separate cases challenging voting rights restrictions in Texas and Arkansas under a section of the federal Voting Rights Act, according to petitions filed with the court last week.

MALDEF STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT ORDER ALLOWING NEW TEXAS REDISTRICTING MAPS TO BE USED FOR 2026

Dec 4, 2025

LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Supreme Court Thursday granted a stay of a district court order that had blocked Texas’ mid-decade congressional redistricting plan, clearing the way for the new map to be used in the 2026 elections.

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 CLAIM ON BEHALF OF IMMIGRANT FOR DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT AND PRIVACY VIOLATIONS BY HARBOR-UCLA MEDICAL CENTER

Mar 5, 2026

MAN WHO THREATENED MIGRANTS WITH A GUN IN EL PASO ORDERED TO PAY DAMAGES

Feb 24, 2026

SAN ANTONIO – A man who pointed a gun at migrants in El Paso and threatened them outside a church and a bus station was ordered by a state judge to pay damages for his harmful actions on Monday.

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Court Cases

Education

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

JUDGE ALLOWS IMMIGRANT STUDENTS TO INTERVENE TO DEFEND KENTUCKY TUITION POLICY

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 AND GRADFIN REACH AGREEMENT IN LAWSUIT

MALDEF FILES CLAIM ON BEHALF OF IMMIGRANT FOR DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT AND PRIVACY VIOLATIONS BY HARBOR-UCLA MEDICAL CENTER

Voting Rights

MALDEF SEEKS SUPREME COURT REVIEW OF VOTING RIGHTS DECISIONS IN TEXAS AND ARKANSAS

MALDEF STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT ORDER ALLOWING NEW TEXAS REDISTRICTING MAPS TO BE USED FOR 2026

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 CLAIM ON BEHALF OF IMMIGRANT FOR DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT AND PRIVACY VIOLATIONS BY HARBOR-UCLA MEDICAL CENTER

MAN WHO THREATENED MIGRANTS WITH A GUN IN EL PASO ORDERED TO PAY DAMAGES

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

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