Dear LULAC Members,

Now more than ever, staying informed is empowering. Despite the challenges our Latino community faces, we continue to make strides together. From national policies to local victories, let’s celebrate our resilience and stay engaged in the fight for our rights.

This newsletter is your resource to stay engaged, empowered, and inspired. Juntos, seguimos adelante – together, we move forward.

Thank you for being part of the LULAC familia and for all you do to advance our cause.

¡Adelante!

LULAC National

Top Headlines

Trump Targets Immigrants: New executive actions by President Trump intensify crackdowns on undocumented immigrants, prompting LULAC’s strong condemnation and legal pushback.
Policy Roundup: Key developments in Latino economic opportunity, community health, technology equity, and immigration reform – what’s happened this week and why it matters.
Community Spotlight: LULAC councils from Florida to Iowa launch programs for disaster relief, education, and more, proving that local action makes a big difference.
LULAC Legacy: Did you know LULAC helped end Latino school segregation in Texas before Brown v. Board? Discover a piece of history that continues to inspire us.
Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming LULAC events – from state conventions to our national conference – and how you can get involved.

National News: Immigration Crackdown Spurs LULAC Response

The past week saw a flurry of federal moves targeting undocumented immigrants. President Trump issued new executive orders to ramp up deportations and enforcement. One directive created a controversial immigrant “registration” requirement: as of April 11, undocumented individuals with 90+ days of unlawful presence must register with the government or face criminal charges (FAQ: The Trump Immigration Registration Requirement - NILC). Another action leveraged tax data for immigration enforcement – the IRS and DHS signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) allowing ICE to access taxpayer records of immigrants without legal status (IRS to Share Immigrant Tax Data to Build Criminal Cases - CPA Practice Advisor). This unprecedented data-sharing agreement marks a major shift in policy, overturning decades of privacy safeguards, and could even enable the administration to begin rescinding Social Security Numbers issued to tax-filing immigrants without status (a move immigrant advocates fiercely oppose) (IRS to Share Immigrant Tax Data to Build Criminal Cases - CPA Practice Advisor). These measures, carried out under the banner of “protecting Americans,” fulfill President Trump’s hardline pledge to deport hardworking Latino immigrants (IRS to Share Immigrant Tax Data to Build Criminal Cases - CPA Practice Advisor) – but at the cost of sowing fear among families who pay billions in taxes each year.

“President Trump’s latest orders are a direct attack on millions of hardworking Latino immigrants who contribute to our nation every day,” said LULAC National President Roman Palomares. “Instead of demonizing families who pay their taxes and enrich our communities, our leaders should be recognizing their contributions. LULAC will fight these unjust measures at every turn to defend the dignity and rights of every Latino.”

Policy News: Developments Impacting Latinos

Economic Empowerment:

The U.S. economy keeps chugging along, with encouraging signs for Latino workers. March’s jobs report showed Hispanic employment grew by about 100,000, and the number of unemployed Latinos fell – nudging the Latino unemployment rate down by roughly 0.5% (March Jobs Report: Economy Moving Steadily Toward Stable, Balanced Growth | National Urban League). In practical terms, more Latino families are finding stable work as the recovery continues. Wages are also inching up, though high costs linger. On the policy front, LULAC remains vigilant about proposals that could affect our community’s prosperity. Debates in Washington over tax cuts and budget cuts are ongoing – we’re monitoring how any changes might impact programs that Latino businesses and workers rely on.

Health & Wellness:

April is National Minority Health Month, a time to spotlight health disparities and drive toward equity. Advocates are raising awareness that Latino and other minority communities still face gaps in access to care – and warning that recent policy rollbacks could make things worse (American Advocacy and Action for Minority Health in 2025). For instance, diversity and inclusion programs in health agencies are being scaled back, even though culturally competent care is vital to closing the health gap. Health leaders stress that we must continue working toward effective, equitable care that respects our community’s language and culture (American Advocacy and Action for Minority Health in 2025). On a positive note, community organizations are stepping up: from free clinics to mental health workshops, Latinos are helping each other heal. Meanwhile, LULAC is advocating to protect programs like Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act which help millions of Latinos. With nearly half of Latino children relying on Medicaid for insurance (Proposed Medicaid cuts threaten all Americans, but Latinos and ...), any federal cuts could hit our families hard. The bottom line: our health is our wealth. LULAC will keep fighting for access, affordability, and wellness in every Latino community.

Technology and AI:

The tech world is buzzing with talk of artificial intelligence – and Latino voices are pushing to be heard. So far in 2025, lawmakers around the country have introduced hundreds of AI-related bills to address everything from algorithmic bias to data privacy (US lawmakers have already introduced hundreds of AI bills in 2025 | TechCrunch). This comes amid rapid AI expansion in hiring, policing, and social media. There’s a real concern that AI systems can unintentionally bake in discrimination if not checked. Case in point: Latinos remain underrepresented in the tech industry – only about 11% of AI specialists are Hispanic (From Spanglish to Quinceañera Dresses: Making the Case for Hispanic Representation in AI Development | Institute for Business in Global Society) – which means our perspectives can be overlooked in AI development. LULAC and our partner, the Center for Democracy and Technology, are urging tech companies and Congress to ensure new technologies are fair and inclusive. So what is the federal government doing? The Trump administration’s focus has been on promoting AI innovation rather than regulation. In January, President Trump signed an order directing agencies to foster AI “free from ideological bias” and for “national security,” but he has not endorsed any major AI regulation in Congress (US lawmakers have already introduced hundreds of AI bills in 2025 | TechCrunch). Many in our community worry that without strong guardrails, AI could perpetuate inequalities – like facial recognition misidentifying people of color or biased algorithms affecting loan approvals. LULAC is monitoring proposals (such as the Algorithmic Accountability Act) and pushing for digital equity – from expanding broadband access to funding STEM education for Latino youth. Technology should uplift, not oppress. We’ll work to make sure Latino civil rights are protected in the digital age.

Immigration Reform:

Despite the crackdown by the administration, there are also efforts underway to fix our broken immigration system. In Congress, a bipartisan group of lawmakers reintroduced the American Dream and Promise Act of 2025, aiming to provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (House lawmakers introduce citizenship bill for Dreamers). This bill would grant eligible Dreamers 10 years of conditional residency and a chance to earn full lawful status (House lawmakers introduce citizenship bill for Dreamers). It’s a ray of hope for thousands of young people who know no home but America. LULAC strongly supports this legislation – as Rep. Sylvia Garcia said, Dreamers are “American in every way but on paper” and deserve a permanent place in our country (House lawmakers introduce citizenship bill for Dreamers). Meanwhile, on the administrative side, the new immigrant registration rule (part of President Trump’s enforcement orders) is now in effect, even as advocacy groups challenge it in court (FAQ: The Trump Immigration Registration Requirement - NILC). Unfortunately, a judge has yet to block it, so community organizations are working hard to educate immigrants about what this rule means. LULAC condemns this registry as a coercive tactic intended to entrap undocumented families (FAQ: The Trump Immigration Registration Requirement - NILC) – we believe immigration reform should bring people out of the shadows humanely, not push them further in. We are also closely watching border policy changes and asylum restrictions that have been floated by the administration. Our stance is clear: real immigration reform must provide legal pathways and protect the rights of all immigrants, not just enforce against them. We’ll keep advocating on Capitol Hill for comprehensive reform – from the DREAM Act to farmworker visas – while fighting any anti-immigrant measures that arise.

Local News: LULAC Councils Making a Difference

Our national strength comes from the power of our local councils. Across the country, LULAC members are leading inspiring initiatives in their communities. Here are a few highlights from April 4–10:

Florida – Mental Health Storm Relief: LULAC Florida this week launched a new mental health program called “Resilience After the Storm.” This empowering 8-week program helps Latino families build coping skills after hurricanes and natural disasters (LULAC Florida | - Instagram). Through support groups and workshops (in both English and Spanish), participants learn strategies to heal trauma and foster resilience. Florida’s LULAC councils developed the program after seeing many in our community struggling with post-storm anxiety. “Resilience After the Storm” is now open for registration and is free to the public – a wonderful example of LULAC responding to local needs with culturally competent support.
Iowa – Scholarships for Latino Students: Education is key to empowerment, and LULAC Council 10 in Davenport, Iowa is walking the talk. The council just wrapped up its Spring scholarship drive, encouraging local Latino high school seniors to apply for college scholarships by the April 5 deadline (LULAC Council 10 - Facebook). Council 10 has a proud legacy of investing in youth – over the years they’ve awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to help Latino students pursue higher education. By raising funds through tamale sales, bingo nights, and an annual gala, these volunteers are opening doors for the next generation. The selected scholarship recipients will be announced soon. ¡Felicidades! to all the young folks who applied – your community believes in you.

Know of a great local LULAC project in your area? Let us know – we want to highlight our councils’ work!

LULAC Legacy: A Little-Known Civil Rights Victory

Did you know LULAC was instrumental in desegregating schools for Latino children years before Brown v. Board of Education? In 1948, LULAC attorneys filed Minerva Delgado v. Bastrop I.S.D., a landmark lawsuit that ended the segregation of Mexican American students in Texas public schools (LULAC's Milestones). At the time, Latino children were often forced to attend “Mexican schools” with poorer resources. LULAC fought back, and the federal court ruling in Delgado outlawed separate schools for Mexican-origin kids, affecting 122 schools across 59 Texas counties. This was a major civil rights victory – and it set the stage for further desegregation cases (including Hernandez v. Texas in 1954, another case LULAC backed, which secured jury rights for Mexican Americans. The Delgado case isn’t as widely known as some others, but it stands as a proud part of LULAC’s legacy. It reminds us that Latinos have been fighting – and winning – in the courts for equality for generations. From ending school segregation in the 1940s to defending voting rights today, LULAC’s history shows what we can accomplish cuando nos unimos – when we unite!

Upcoming Events: Join Us!

LULAC has many exciting events on the horizon. Here are a few key dates you won’t want to miss:

2025 California State Convention – April 25–26, 2025, in Universal City, CA (2025 California State Convention). Join LULAC members from across California to discuss policy, elect leaders, and celebrate our achievements. (Register now if you haven’t – it’s open to all members, and a great way to get involved!).
2025 LULAC Florida Convention – May 17, 2025, in Tampa, FL (LULAC Events). A full day of workshops and panels on Latino issues, plus keynote speeches from community leaders. Florida members are gearing up for an energizing convening – all are welcome!
2025 LULAC National Convention & Exposition – August 6–9, 2025, in Long Beach, CA (LULAC Events). This is the big one – our annual national conference, with thousands of attendees expected. The theme is “Empowering the Next Generation.” Come experience four days of policy discussions, leadership training, community service, and celebration of Latino culture. (Plus, a fabulous expo hall showcasing organizations that serve our community.) Save the date – more information to come, but start planning your trip now!

For a full list of upcoming events and how to register, visit the LULAC Events page. We hope to see you at one of these gatherings – everyone is invited to participate and strengthen the LULAC movement!

Stay Engaged:

Join LULAC or Renew Your Membership: Our strength is our members! If you’re not yet a LULAC member or need to renew, join us today to support this important work.

Support Our Mission: Consider making a donation to LULAC to fuel our civil rights campaigns, youth programs, and more. Every dollar helps empower Latinos across the country.

Spread the Word: Forward this newsletter to friends and family who care about our community’s future. Encourage them to follow LULAC on social media for daily updates.

Thank you for reading this week’s newsletter and for being an engaged member of nuestra comunidad. Together, we are facing challenges with courage and creating opportunities for Latinos across the country.

Adelante!
LULAC National