For Immediate Release: June 11, 2025
Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
LA Leaders Push Back on Escalating Immigration Crackdowns and Spotlight Community Resilience at Launch of Hispanic Federation’s California Office
Community leaders call for bold action to counter raids, funding cuts, and attacks on immigrant and Latino communities. Watch the press conference here.
Los Angeles, CA – As Los Angeles faces the continued threat of militarized immigration enforcement, more than 60 nonprofit leaders, elected officials, and advocates gathered today to strategize, organize, and defend immigrant and Latino communities under attack. The convening, hosted by Hispanic Federation (HF), marked the official launch of HF’s California office and reaffirmed the organization’s long-term commitment to supporting Latino-led organizations in California. Held at the California Community Foundation, the event served as both a call to action and a space for deep reflection on how communities can resist escalating federal enforcement and funding cuts—while also investing in grassroots infrastructure and resilience.
“We have always stood on the side of justice, and that is why we are proud to stand alongside the people of Los Angeles in denouncing attacks on our communities while we are simultaneously supporting the groups who are on the frontlines defending people against aggressive immigration enforcement and providing essential services,” said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation. “Now more than ever, the philanthropic and business community must step up to support the organizations whose services are filling in critical gaps and are struggling to deliver those services because of federal attacks.”
“A basic fundamental right is the right to use your voice to speak out against injustice and to point out how these many illegal acts are taking place are not just a violation of basic dignity but are completely un-American. We are not backing away from supporting organizations on the ground doing this important work. We understand clearly what is going on here is to intimidate, to marginalize, and to set aside one part of our community to divide us. And as Angelenos and as Americans, we will not be divided,” said Miguel A. Santana, President and CEO of the California Community Foundation, on the need to support groups doing immigrant rights work.
Since 2019, Hispanic Federation has invested over $3.5 million in 53 community-based organizations across California, advancing work in immigration, health, education, digital skilling, economic mobility, and more. With the formal launch of its California office, HF is deepening its commitment to strengthening the Latino nonprofit sector through grantmaking, advocacy, and coalition-building.
Throughout the afternoon, speakers shared personal stories and frontline observations about the impacts of increased detentions, raids, and cuts to essential services are having on LA communities. From health and housing to legal support and workforce development, organizations laid out how the Trump administration’s renewed efforts to criminalize immigrant communities are creating a ripple effect—especially for those at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities.
“Today, we are living through an assault on the dignity and safety of our communities. People from all political and personal backgrounds must band together to push back on these authoritarian policies,” said German M. Cash, California State Director of Hispanic Federation. “The leaders in this room demonstrated how strong we can be when we coordinate, strategize, and invest in our collective resilience. Hispanic Federation is here to stand shoulder to shoulder with our local partners in that fight.”
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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.
