Public Policy

MALDEF promotes social change through our advocacy work in the areas of education, employment, immigrants’ rights and political access.

Education

MALDEF STATEMENT ON THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF PLYLER v. DOE

LOS ANGELES – Today marks the 40th anniversary Plyler v. Doe, of one our nation’s most consequential constitutional decisions and a singular achievement in the history of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund).

Employment

MALDEF STATEMENT ON PASSING OF LABOR LEADER RICHARD TRUMKA

LOS ANGELES –  Please attribute the following statement on the death of longtime AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund:

Immigrants’ Rights

MALDEF STATEMENT ON GUILTY PLEA IN EL PASO MASSACRE

LOS ANGELES – A Texas white nationalist who murdered 23 people and injured nearly two dozen more during a mass shooting in 2019 at a Walmart in El Paso pleaded guilty Wednesday to 90 criminal counts, including 45 counts of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The confessed shooter admitted that he targeted the Latino community and chose to carry out the massacre in El Paso because it was a border city. Under a plea agreement, the white nationalist will be sentenced to 90 consecutive life terms.

MALDEF STATEMENT ON THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF PLYLER v. DOE

LOS ANGELES – Today marks the 40th anniversary Plyler v. Doe, of one our nation’s most consequential constitutional decisions and a singular achievement in the history of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund).

Voting Rights

MALDEF STATEMENT ON INTRODUCTION OF VOTING RIGHTS ACT IN U.S. SENATE

LOS ANGELES –  The U.S. Senate today introduced the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2024 (JLVRAA). The bill provides an important path forward in helping protect our democracy by protecting the rights of every citizen, including Latinos and other minorities, who increasingly face new hurdles when seeking to exercise their right to vote.

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION ADOPTS RESOLUTION IN RESPONSE TO MOORE v HARPER

LOS ANGELES –  The American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates earlier this month adopted a resolution supporting efforts to restore state-separation-of-powers principles in anticipation of a possible, unprecedented ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in a controversial case that could upend state constitutional structures with respect to regulation of federal elections nationwide.

Access to Justice

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