Dear LULAC members and allies,

It’s been a productive week for LULAC and the communities we serve. I’m proud to share that we scored a major legal victory in our fight to protect voting rights – a federal judge granted our request to halt the President’s “Election Advisory Committee” executive order. This special edition newsletter is dedicated to that win and other key developments impacting our community this week. Thank you for standing with us as we continue to champion the rights of Latino Americans.

Sincerely,

Roman Palomares, LULAC National President and Chairman

In this Issue

LULAC v. Executive Office of the President – Federal court blocks President Trump’s new election advisory commission order, protecting Latino voters’ rights.
The Case of Neiyerver Adrián Leon Rengel – LULAC fights to return a Maryland man wrongly deported to El Salvador, as his family seeks justice.
Intern and Fellow Highlights – Snapshots of recent intern/fellow articles on Baltimore families losing support, an unjust deportation, defiance of court orders, and the Maryland Values Act.

National News

LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS, et al. v. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, et al.

A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction on April 24 blocking key parts of President Donald Trump’s March 25 executive order that sought to overhaul federal election procedures. The judge agreed with LULAC and fellow plaintiffs that the President lacks authority to unilaterally impose new voting requirements—“Our Constitution entrusts Congress and the States – not the President – with the authority to regulate federal elections”. The executive order in question would have, among other things, required proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and penalized states for counting certain mail-in ballots. LULAC and other civil rights groups argued these measures were an unlawful attempt at voter suppression aimed at communities of color.

In her opinion, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly found that LULAC and the other plaintiffs demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits and would suffer irreparable harm without an injunction. The court recognized that implementing the order would likely disenfranchise eligible voters, noting “absent an injunction… citizens will be disenfranchised in the present federal election cycle,” and that “the public interest… favors permitting as many qualified voters to vote as possible”. Judge Kollar-Kotelly specifically cited the burden the order would place on organizations like LULAC, which would impair their core mission of registering and turning out voters. In granting the injunction, the court blocked enforcement of the order’s provisions directing the Election Assistance Commission to add a citizenship document requirement (Section 2(a)) and requiring federal agencies to screen voter registration applicants on public assistance (Section 2(d)). These portions of the “Election Advisory Committee” order are now on hold pending further litigation.

“This ruling is a tremendous victory for Latino voters across the country,” said LULAC National President Roman Palomares, “The court affirmed that not even the President can trample on our community’s voting rights. LULAC will continue to fight any attempt to suppress our vote.” Palomares emphasized that the injunction vindicates LULAC’s stance that the executive order was an unconstitutional overreach that threatened to disenfranchise Latino citizens. He thanked the coalition of partners in this case and urged vigilance as the lawsuit proceeds. For now, the Latino community can celebrate a crucial win in safeguarding our democratic voice.

LULAC Fights for Venezuelan Migrant’s Return from El Salvador

In mid-March, 27-year-old Venezuelan national Neiyerver Adrián Leon Rengel was detained by federal immigration agents in Dallas, Texas while on his way to work. His sudden detention left his Texas-based family desperate for answers. They pleaded with immigration authorities for any information about Neiyerver’s whereabouts, but for weeks they got nowhere.

Despite constant calls and inquiries, Neiyerver’s family received only conflicting information from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). One officer told them he was still in custody in Texas; another claimed he had already been deported to his “country of origin” — a statement that baffled and alarmed the family, since Neiyerver is Venezuelan, not Salvadoran. For five agonizing weeks, his loved ones had no idea where he was or if he was safe.

At the end of April, the family finally learned the truth: Neiyerver had been deported to El Salvador despite their pleas. This confirmation came after the Department of Homeland Security responded to inquiries from an NBC News reporter. Neiyerver was handed over to authorities in El Salvador, where he remains in custody. U.S. officials alleged without evidence that he was associated with a violent gang in Venezuela, using that claim to justify sending him to El Salvador instead of back to Venezuela. Neiyerver’s family vehemently denies any gang ties. In fact, Neiyerver entered the U.S. legally in 2023 using the proper process and even applied for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) late last year to reside here lawfully. His brother said he never imagined this situation could happen — “they either give you asylum or they deport you. Not a forced disappearance,” he told NBC News.

LULAC has been working closely with Neiyerver’s family throughout this harrowing ordeal. Working alongside his relatives and other human rights groups, LULAC helped shine a spotlight on Neiyerver’s disappearance and pressed authorities for answers. Now, LULAC is actively advocating for Neiyerver’s release from detention in El Salvador and urging officials to allow his safe return to the United States. The organization continues to support the family and is coordinating with legal experts to secure Neiyerver’s return home to Texas, so he can reunite with his loved ones and pursue his immigration case with due process.

For more details on Neiyerver’s case, read the full NBC News article here.

Intern and Fellow Highlights

In the past week, LULAC’s interns and policy fellows have published insightful commentary on issues affecting our community. Below are highlights of four recent pieces (with links to read the full articles):

“The Real Consequences of Stripping Away Support from Baltimore’s Hardworking Families” by Brianna Mijangos-Buiza (Policy & Legislation Fellow)

This article exposes how a new Trump executive order titled “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders” threatens critical programs in Baltimore – from WIC nutrition assistance to emergency Medicaid and community health centers. Mijangos-Buiza argues the policy is “an attack on Baltimore’s working poor,” ostensibly targeting undocumented immigrants but in reality stripping support from thousands of U.S. citizen children and legal residents in immigrant families. She notes that programs like WIC and school meals keep vulnerable families afloat and that cutting them will destabilize communities without making Maryland any safer.

Read the full commentary for a detailed breakdown of the order’s impact on Baltimore.

“The Van, the Flight, and the Machinery of Harm” by Kevin Pacheco-Barajas and Olivia Zepeda (Research & Policy Fellows)

Pacheco-Barajas and Zepeda draw a powerful parallel between two seemingly unrelated stories of injustice: the 2015 death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore and the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego García in 2025. Freddie Gray’s fatal ride in a police van and Kilmar’s forced flight to El Salvador exemplify how systems can dehumanize minority individuals – Gray was criminalized due to his race, and Abrego García (a Maryland resident with legal status) was treated as a criminal due to his immigration status. The authors reflect on how both men were denied dignity and due process, calling out the “machinery of harm” that allows such tragedies. This commentary urges readers to see the connection between racial justice and immigrant justice, suggesting that the fight for one is inseparable from the other.

Their full essay delves deeper into what these cases reveal about American society.

“DHS, Trump administration in open defiance of constitutional order in Maryland” by Liam Nelson (Policy & Legislation Fellow)

Nelson’s piece criticizes the Trump administration for flouting the rule of law in the handling of Kilmar Abrego García’s case. He details how the administration conceded Abrego García was deported by mistake – an “administrative incompetence” that tore apart a Maryland family – yet still refused to comply with court orders to bring him back. Nelson notes that even after the Supreme Court directed the government to ensure Abrego’s return, the White House and DHS doubled down by making unsubstantiated claims that Abrego García was affiliated with gangs/terrorism to justify not retrieving him. The article argues this behavior represents an alarming defiance of the Constitution’s due process guarantees.

Nelson’s full commentary provides a legal analysis of the case and its implications for constitutional order.

“The Maryland Values Act Just Passed the General Assembly: Here’s What That Means” by Kevin Pacheco-Barajas and Olivia Zepeda (Research & Policy Fellows)

In this piece, our fellows explain the significance of the newly passed Maryland Values Act. Passed on April 7, 2025, the Act would prohibit Maryland state and local officials from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement (287(g) agreements. Pacheco-Barajas and Zepeda note that if Governor Wes Moore signs it into law, Maryland will join 10 other states in banning these agreements, which have been criticized for leading to racial profiling and the deportation of residents with little or no criminal history. The article provides context on how 287(g) partnerships work and cites studies showing they often target minor offenders and sow fear in immigrant communities. The Maryland Values Act is presented as a bold step to protect immigrant families and rebuild trust between law enforcement and communities.

Read their full analysis to learn how this law will shield Maryland’s vulnerable communities from federal overreach.

Each of these articles by our talented interns and fellows sheds light on the real-world consequences of policies and actions on Latino and immigrant communities. We encourage you to read their work and share it widely. LULAC is proud to nurture young leaders who are passionate about advancing civil rights and informing our community. Together, through advocacy and education, we continue to drive positive change.

LULAC Legacy: Did You Know?

LULAC National President Ermilo Lozano in 1934 met with Texas governor to address prisoners punished for non-compliance due to language barrier; pressed for bilingual prison guards.

Correction Notice: LULAC Council 39004 Hosts Successful Industry Leaders Night in Cincinnati

In the April 4, 2025 newsletter, there was an error regarding the LULAC Council in Cincinnati. The correct council number is 39004, not 39000.

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