For Immediate Release: March 25, 2025
media@hispanicfederation.org
Over 130 Organizations and Members of Congress Denounce Attacks on Latino Communities
Link to select photos from press conference and Link to video of the press conference
Washington, D.C. – From ICE Raids targeting previously safe communities to the cancelation of critical federal programs that were addressing people’s needs, the concerns of Latinos, especially low to middle-income communities, are being ignored. Today, Hispanic Federation gathered organizations who work in the Latino community and elected officials to denounce the attacks on Latinos while also outlining a path forward for prioritizing policies that improve people’s standard of living. Rep Maxwell Frost (FL-10) and Rep Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) joined the press conference to help bring attention to the importance of addressing the Latino community’s concerns and call for Congressional action.
The press conference took place as the Hispanic Federation gathered 130+ partner organizations, many of whom provide a diverse array of services and work in rural, urban, and suburban parts of the country. Organizations traveled from around the country to call for legislative policies that address the Latino community’s concerns around workforce development, cost of living, immigration legal services, and many more issues that were detailed in Hispanic Federation’s 2025 Policy Priorities, which is being delivered to Congressional and State legislative offices this week.
Hispanic Federation’s 2025 Policy Priorities provide a road map for the state and federal legislation that address some of the concerns from the Latino community regarding the economy, education, voting rights, and much more. The policy priorities were developed as a result of extensive interviews with Hispanic Federation’s over 780 partners with state legislation focused on where Hispanic Federation has an office: New York, North Carolina, Illinois, Florida, Puerto Rico, California, and Connecticut.
“Over 130 direct service providers, who are pillars in their communities, traveled to D.C. to make clear that Latinos are a growing power and any attempt to push us back into the shadows will result in long-term political and economic loss. At a time when the threat of a recession looms, it is important to remember that Latinos are powering the U.S economic engine, and attacks on our community may cause that engine to stall,” said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation. “Together, we are stronger! Today we are taking action to make assure that we move in a direction where everyone can thrive, care for loved ones, and work without fear.”
“Latinos play an integral role in Florida, from caring for our loved ones to building the literal roofs over people’s heads. Unfortunately, the Trump administration’s legislative assault has instilled fear and incurred significant financial damage for Latino families who are struggling to make ends meet,” said Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10). “I am thankful for groups like Hispanic Federation and the over 130 organizations who mobilized in D.C. this week to make clear why Congress must listen to the concerns of the Latino community.”
“Trump promised to make life more affordable, but his policies benefit billionaires, not working people. Now he is dismantling the Department of Education. That’s a direct attack on our kids and our future, as Latino children are nearly one in three in public schools nationwide, and in Chicago, nearly 50 percent. Cutting education is not just bad policy; it’s a deliberate choice to set our kids up for failure,” said Congressman García. “As Members of Congress, we are pushing back against Trump’s attacks. But we need you: Call your Members of Congress, and your Senators, Share Know Your Rights information, Speak out, show up, and organize.”
“We need Congress to unite and stand against draconian laws and policies that further criminalize Latino communities. Latinos, like all Americans, want access to affordable housing, accessible health care, and much more. We need an end to criminalization and create a path towards tangible solutions, such as ensuring that people can be fully represented in legal proceedings so that people can continue to work and care for loved ones without being needlessly held in detention facilities,” said Stefanía Arteaga, Co-founder & Co-Executive Director of Carolina Migrant Network.
“Anti-immigrant laws in Florida hurt everyone, not just immigrants. We risk wrongful detention of citizens and residents. It will harm our tourism industry and our economy. We have many people with TPS in our state. Immigrants contribute as employers, workers and teachers. Even brief detentions cause lost income, and now those “in line” awaiting immigration decisions are at risk too,” said Melissa L. Marantes, Executive Director of Orlando Center for Justice, Inc. “Our community is resilient but make no mistake, this affects all of us.”
“Immigrants are the economic engine that drives this nation forward, and it’s time our country recognizes and values our contributions. Yet, the current administration continues to instill fear—impacting the lives of Latinos around our country. To be clear, dangerous rhetoric and divisive narratives only fuel hate crimes, deepen community divisions, and leave families living in uncertainty, said Karina Ayala-Bermejo, President and CEO of Instituto del Progreso Latino. “We must stand against these injustices and affirm the vital role immigrants play in strengthening our nation.”
“Anti-immigrant measures and pushback on DEI initiatives are not only driving acts of hate and discrimination but are also straining an already overburdened workforce. At a time when we need everyone to fully participate in the workforce to help stave off a recession, we are seeing policy that blocks people from being able to go to work,” said Darryl D. Morin, National President of Forward Latino. “To secure our nation’s future, we need federal policy that prioritizes our nation’s security, economy, and humanity.”
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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 Latinos. With programs in 43 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia, 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.
