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

In this Issue:

National News: House passes H.R.1 (“One Big Beautiful Bill Act”), a sweeping bill that LULAC warns could hurt Latino families.
Policy News: Key updates in economic empowerment, health & wellness, technology & AI, and immigration reform – from fighting for minority-owned businesses and health coverage to addressing AI bias and pushing for the Dream Act.
Local News: Highlights of LULAC councils making a difference around the country – community events, advocacy wins, and council achievements between May 22 and May 29.
LULAC Legacy: A little-known historical fact about LULAC’s early civil rights battles (did you know LULAC helped win a landmark Supreme Court case in 1954?).

Grab a cafecito ☕ and dive into this week’s newsletter! As always, we stand “All for One and One for All.”💪🏽

National News:

H.R.1 – the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”: What’s in it, and why is LULAC concerned?

The U.S. House passed H.R.1, a massive budget bill, on May 22. Despite its rosy nickname, this bill packs many provisions that deeply alarm Latino advocates. LULAC’s recent brief on H.R.1 outlines major changes: it slashes or restricts critical benefits and ramps up immigration enforcement. For example, millions could lose food assistance and healthcare – H.R.1 would tighten eligibility for SNAP food stamps (excluding many immigrants) and impose new hurdles for Medicaid and ACA health coverage. The bill also supercharges enforcement at the border, with $45 billion to expand detention (including holding migrant families indefinitely) and a mandate to restart the “Remain in Mexico” program for asylum seekers. On top of that, H.R.1 slaps hefty fees on immigrants and asylum-seekers, making it harder for people fleeing danger to apply for asylum or work permits. LULAC warns these measures would leave many Latino immigrant families worse off – with less food, less healthcare, and more fear of deportation.

“There is nothing beautiful about this bill,” says LULAC National President and Chairman Roman Palomares. “H.R.1 is a direct attack on our community’s health and opportunity. It threatens to leave Latino families sicker, hungrier, and poorer while the ultra-rich line their pockets. LULAC will fight this cruel legislation every step of the way.” LULAC’s brief emphasizes that not only undocumented immigrants but also U.S. citizen children and relatives could suffer from these cuts. The bill’s Medicaid changes, for instance, would make it easier for states to drop coverage if paperwork isn’t verified in time – potentially affecting even citizens in mixed-status families. “We won’t stand by while Congress tries to balance the budget on the backs of our families,” Palomares vows.

Media Spotlight:

LULAC’s vocal opposition has been noticed in the press. This week, LULAC was mentioned on CBS News and other outlets urging lawmakers to reconsider H.R.1’s harsh provisions. In Texas, Rep. Henry Cuellar cited LULAC’s warnings when he voted against H.R.1, calling it “harmful to South Texas working families” due to cuts in Medicaid and SNAP. And in Washington state, Latino community members – including our local LULAC councils – marched to protest H.R.1’s Medicaid cuts, holding signs reading “Save Medicaid, Save Lives”. Thanks to advocacy by LULAC and coalition partners, national media are reporting that this bill “will leave Americans sicker, hungrier, and poorer”. We’re making sure Latino voices are heard loud and clear in this debate.

Policy News:

Our advocacy continues across multiple fronts. Here’s a quick round-up of policy developments in LULAC’s key focus areas this week:

Health & Wellness:

Health equity is under threat in new policies. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom sparked outrage by proposing to freeze Medi-Cal enrollment for undocumented adults and even charge premiums for their coverage. This rollback – coming just one year after California opened Medi-Cal to all low-income immigrants – is pitched as a cost-saver, but our LULAC California partners note it would leave many without regular care. “This is really stark…we should look for other ways to tighten budgets,” responded State Sen. Lena Gonzalez, chair of the Latino Caucus, vowing to fight the proposal. Latino doctors and patients alike are speaking out, reminding lawmakers that “Medi-Cal saves lives.” (Indeed, photos of protesters this week holding “Medicaid Saves Lives” signs went viral.) On a brighter note, LULAC councils hosted community health fairs in several states over the weekend, providing free checkups and mental health resources – a reminder that our comunidad takes care of its own!

Technology & AI:

As artificial intelligence races ahead, LULAC is pushing to ensure Latino communities aren’t left behind or discriminated against. A surprising tech twist in H.R.1 was revealed: House Republicans slipped in a provision to bar states from regulating AI for the next 10 years. This would block any local laws setting guardrails on algorithms or automated decision systems – from facial recognition to hiring algorithms – unless those laws promote AI deployment. Why does this matter? Because unregulated AI can bake in biases that harm Latinos in hiring, housing, policing, and more. LULAC and partner orgs are raising the alarm: we need AI accountability, not a decade of tech “wild west.” In fact, Latino leaders in tech are stepping up; just this week IEEE’s ICRA conference highlighted a new Latinx in AI initiative to tackle bias in machine learning and boost our representation in the AI sector. We’re glad to see momentum so that the next wave of innovation benefits todos, not just a few.

Immigration Reform:

Even as enforcement dominates headlines, the fight for humane immigration laws continues. Earlier this spring, a bipartisan group in Congress reintroduced the American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 – a bill to provide a path to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, and DED recipients. It has 200+ co-sponsors and broad support from civil rights groups (LULAC proudly among them). “Now is the time to act…let’s get it done,” urged Democratic Whip Katherine Clark in support of the bill. Unfortunately, since its introduction, the bill has stalled amid partisan gridlock. Meanwhile, the House majority has focused on enforcement-only measures (like H.R.1 and other border bills), and there’s been little movement on comprehensive reform as of late May. LULAC continues to advocate for balanced solutions – we need to secure the border and protect our families.

Local News:

Our LULAC councils have been on the move across the country, turning advocacy into action in their communities. Here are a few uplifting highlights from May 22–29:

The California LULAC Foundation proudly hosted its 2025 Annual State Convention on April 25–26 at the Hilton Universal in Universal City, CA. This year’s theme, "Amplifying Voices, Igniting Action: Empowering the Next Generation of Latina/o Leaders," highlighted our collective commitment to nurturing youth leadership and advancing equity in our communities with over 220 attendees and half of those students. The convention brought together a powerful coalition of youth leaders, LULAC members, community advocates, and elected officials from across California. Together, they engaged in impactful workshops focused on education, civic engagement, and immigration reform.

Young attendees had the opportunity to connect with mentors, speak on panels, and gain tools to lead meaningful change. The presence of community leaders and public officials underscored the importance of intergenerational collaboration in shaping a stronger, more inclusive future.

This was more than just a convention—it was a launchpad for the next generation of Latina/o leaders to rise and lead with purpose.
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These are just a few examples – we know there are many more council events and victories out there! Be sure to share your council’s news with us for a future shout-out in the newsletter.

Support LULAC’s Legal Defense Fund

Each of these stories shows the importance of vigilance and advocacy. Whether it’s fighting in the courts or speaking out in Congress, LULAC is on the front lines defending the rights of Latino communities and all Americans. We can’t do it alone – your support is crucial. Last week, we launched the LULAC Legal Defense Fund to bolster these efforts. Join us in this fight! Consider making a donation to the LULAC Legal Defense Fund to help sustain our legal battles for justice. Every contribution empowers LULAC to challenge unconstitutional actions and protect civil rights where they’re under threat. Together, we can ensure that our Constitution and core values are upheld for everyone.

Click here to donate to the LULAC Legal Defense Fund today. Every bit helps us continue the critical work of protecting our community’s rights and future.

LULAC Legacy

Did You Know?

In 1964: LULAC National President William D. Bonilla met with President Lyndon Johnson about housing, later resulting in funding for units in Corpus Christi, Kingsville, El Paso, and San Antonio.

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 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