NCLR, Latino Youth and Community Leaders Demand Republicans Reject Extremist Colleagues’ Actions on Immigration

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Wednesday, leaders from NCLR (National Council of La Raza), its national Affiliate Network of community-based organizations and its youth Líderes Congreso joined together to denounce the continued pursuit of an anti-immigrant agenda and attacks on President Obama’s recent executive actions on immigration. Making nearly 100 congressional visits, the wide-reaching network of Hispanic leaders vowed to work with their communities to make administrative relief a success and ensure that voters back home are keenly aware of their representatives’ actions.

“During its short time in session, the newly elected Republican majority was quick to cave to extremists within the party, attacking immigration relief for millions of American families and reintroducing vicious anti-immigrant legislation that takes the country backward. While the vast majority of Americans support sensible immigration reform, these members of Congress have dug in on proposals that favor the extreme instead of the mainstream in America,” said Clarissa Martínez-De-Castro, Deputy Vice President, Office of Research, Advocacy and Legislation, NCLR. “We were here in the nation’s capital to make sure they know that their actions will not go unnoticed by America’s fast-growing Latino electorate.”

More than 300 Latino leaders from throughout the country participated in the 2015 NCLR National Latino Advocacy Days. Groups representing communities in 24 states and the District of Columbia, including California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, engaged in sessions on public policy, advocacy and strategy to prepare for the implementation of administrative relief through Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Many advocates also met with congressional offices to deliver a statement urging Congress to cease the obstruction of measures aimed at providing relief for millions of hardworking American families.

“We delivered a message to our elected officials saying that what happens in Washington doesn’t stay in Washington,” said Julián Lazalde, Policy Analyst at the Latino Policy Forum in Chicago. “Latinos are following the debates in Congress and will remember who stood with us to defend executive action on immigration. We will ensure that voters in our community are well aware of who worked in favor of a solution and who simply obstructed progress.”

An average of 2,500 Latino U.S. citizens turn 18 each day, expanding the ranks of the growing Latino electorate, whose support is crucial to win the White House and numerous other races in 2016. Latinos are a treasure trove of potential voters that politicians can ill afford to ignore. Participants committed to ensuring that the Latino electorate continues to expand and the community increases its overall engagement in policy debates.

“As we see proposals to block the implementation of DAPA and the expansion of DACA, we want to let members of Congress know that they are picking a fight with our families,” said Krista Bustamante, Organizing Director of the Idaho Community Action Network in Boise, Idaho. “When the nation’s agenda is surrendered to a few extreme voices, as it has been in the House of Representatives, the business of the people remains undone. That is something the American people shouldn’t have to tolerate. With 62 percent of Idaho’s immigrant population potentially eligible for these programs, it’s crucial that Congress stop playing politics with families’ hopes and dreams.”

“One of the main reasons why I am here is that this is personal. People who are my age, my friends, will benefit from administrative action programs, and by doing so they will be able to make greater contributions to the communities where we all live,” said Cindy Zavala, a young Virginian registered voter, graduate of American University and member of the NCLR Líderes Youth Advisory Committee representing the Southeast. “I registered to vote because I believe we need to hold our elected officials accountable. I know many voters in our community are frustrated, but I also believe the most important thing those of us with the privilege to vote can do is push to stop the separation of families and raise our voices at the voting booth for those who cannot do so just yet.”

Download pictures from the 2015 NCLR National Latino Advocacy Days here.

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.