Press Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
Please see photos of the event here.
Participants met with Congressional offices this week to call on them to vote no on the current reconciliation package – a $72 billion blank check for immigration enforcement with zero accountability
Select photos here and press conference recording here
Washington, D.C. – Hispanic Federation brought over 150 leaders from across the country to Capitol Hill to call on Congress to reject the partisan legislation they are considering which would pour $72 billion into immigration enforcement without oversight or accountability. The leaders of Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations descended on the nation’s capital for Encuentro Nacional, Hispanic Federation’s annual national policy convening – and over two days, they made their voices heard, conducting more than 100 visits to Congressional offices across the country.
The timing of the reconciliation debate is unfolding as Latino communities nationwide continue to bear the brunt of aggressive federal crackdowns that have killed American citizens, torn families apart, shuttered workplaces, cut off access to critical services, and destabilized entire neighborhoods. Community leaders met face-to-face with elected officials to demand a no vote on the reconciliation legislation and to lay out an affirmative agenda for Latino communities – encompassing immigration enforcement reform, protection of public health programs, and equitable access to technology and artificial intelligence.
“We have seen how these dollars are used when dispersed without proper oversight – unrestrained federal agents are deployed into communities, threatening public safety, violating constitutional protections, and diverting resources away from programs that uplift our communities. Even now, school desks sit empty, businesses are closed, families are torn apart, and lives are lost because of unchecked federal action. We demand Congress to reject this reconciliation legislation and return to bipartisan negotiations to incorporate oversight and accountability of the actions of federal agents,” said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO, Hispanic Federation.
Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus stood shoulder-to-shoulder with community leaders from across the country to amplify Latino priorities to national policymakers.
“This Republican reconciliation bill is a racket, pure and simple. They want to take $72 billion in taxpayer dollars and send it to immigration enforcement agencies that already have more money than they can handle, are tearing apart our communities, and are handing out no-bid contracts to Trump’s cronies. At a time when families are struggling with the rising costs of groceries, energy, housing, and health care, Americans need their government focused on lowering everyday costs and expanding economic opportunity, not fueling a detention and deportation industry that profits from human suffering,” said Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13).
“The American people want lower prices and health care they can afford, not attacks against working people, not inhumane detention centers, not endless wars, or scams that line the pockets of Trump and his friends. Instead of doing anything to rein in ICE or help Americans survive in Trump’s economy, Republicans are using their budget to hand ICE and Border Patrol another $70 billion blank check to fund more cruelty and brutality in American communities,” said Rep. Jesus “Chuy” García (IL-04).
“DHS remains the biggest threat to our collective safety and funding. It only fuels our own destruction and our human suffering. You see, for over a year, our communities have witnessed abductions, kidnappings, the unlawful detention of children, the militarization of our cities, the murder of our neighbors, the persecution of dissent and the rise of fascism in our nation all brought to us by Trump and DHS and my colleagues in the Senate,” said Rep. Delia Ramirez, (IL-03).
“I’ve seen firsthand how immigration enforcement and overreach have hurt our immigrant communities on the island. Businesses were shut down and kids were too afraid to go to school. I urge all my colleagues to vote no on this bill because it destroys our communities, because it hurts our communities, because it goes against the values that this country is supposed to defend and stand up for,” said Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico Pablo Jose Hernandez.
The testimonies from community leaders about the human toll of aggressive immigration enforcement echoed what was documented through a series of People’s Hearings. The initiative has already produced a report on Minnesota, a hearing in Chicago, and an upcoming hearing in Los Angeles on June 8th.
“As a mother, I never imagined having to explain to my seven-year-old why masked, armed men were surrounding schools and neighborhoods. The fear created by aggressive immigration enforcement does not end when an operation is over. It stays with children in their classrooms, in their homes, and in their mental health. Regardless of politics, no child should have to live with that kind of fear,” said Juliana Lozano, Executive Director of Despierta in North Carolina.
In Illinois, Operation Midway Blitz unleashed large-scale, violent, and unlawful immigration enforcement on our neighborhoods, fear in our schools, and pain in our communities; harms that will take generations to heal. Congress shouldn’t reward that with $72 billion more taxpayer dollars. Listen to the people who you represent and fund what families truly need to be safe and to thrive,” Linda Xóchitl Tortolero, President & CEO of Latino Policy Forum in Illinois.
“No child should come home from school wondering whether their family will still be together. As Congress considers this historic investment in immigration enforcement, we must remember the human impact and continue investing in education, workforce development, and opportunity,” Carlos Valentin Jr., President & CEO The ASPIRA Association Inc., and Pennsylvania resident.
“Congress cannot claim to stand for families while considering a blank check for immigration enforcement that spreads fear through our neighborhoods. In the Central Valley, we see the truth plainly: children are afraid, workers are silenced, and families are being pushed away from the very services meant to keep them safe. This is not public safety – it is intimidation without accountability. We call on Congress to reject enforcement without limits and invest in the communities that feed, build, and sustain this country,” said Jose Rodriguez, President and CEO of El Concilio California.
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About Encuentro Nacional
Encuentro Nacional convenes more than 150 leaders from Hispanic Federation’s national network in Washington, D.C. to elevate the concerns of Latino communities and deliver concrete policy recommendations with real-world impact. This year’s convening includes legislative briefings, capacity-building workshops, and two days of direct Congressional visits – totaling more than 100 Congressional visits with Representatives and their staff.
About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized, and immigrant Latine. With programs in 43 states and territories, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
