Dear John,

As we approach a pivotal moment in the U.S. elections, I’m pleased to introduce two new features in our series, A Human Rights Agenda for the Next U.S. Administration. Our latest articles, Gender Equity: A Necessity to Advance Human Rights in the Americas and Racial and Ethnic Justice: Essential to Upholding Human Rights in the Americas, are the result of a committed, joint effort by our staff to address two fundamental issues that impact the future of both the United States and the Americas at large. These articles underscore the critical steps U.S. foreign policy must take to ensure a fair and just society, with gender and racial justice at the forefront of building true inclusivity and reminding us that real progress on human rights begins with equity.

We’re proud to share these insights and invite you to engage with the full series, which explores key areas we believe should be at the forefront of U.S. policy—migration, drug policy, democracy, and, now, gender and racial justice. We hope you’ll read and share these pieces in the countdown to an election that will shape the human rights landscape for the next four years.

As we look ahead to the coming week, let’s continue to foster hope for a future built on equity, dignity, and the defense of human rights for all.

Warm regards,

Zaida Márquez

Vice President for Communications

For human rights activists across Latin America right now, the stakes are high. Violence around elections is on the rise, as are threats against those who speak in favor of justice and accountability.

Your support of WOLA creates space to amplify the voices of those who put their life on the line to champion human rights; from Caracas, to San Salvador, and everywhere in between.

“Uruguayans see their country as a stable and peaceful place...By and large that has remained true for a long time – and now Uruguyans are understandably alarmed. They have a sense that their security is slipping.”

John Walsh

Director for Drug Policy and the Andes

– The Guardian, High-stakes pension plebiscite could turn Uruguay’s election in to its ‘Brexit moment’

“The Biden administration has seen a surprising continuation of a lot of Trump’s policies, or different versions of those policies...There’s been a combination of harsher enforcement, pushing other governments [in the Americas] to increase enforcement, and a more favourable approach of expanding legal pathways for migrants both in the US and regionally.”

Maureen Meyer

Vice President for Programs

– Al Jazeera, US presidential candidates join global shift rightward on immigration 

"...Democratic leaders [President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris] are simply following the school of fish, as Americans have become slowly influenced by Trumpian talking points on the border, bolstered by images in the press of large numbers of asylum-seekers rushing to the wall. News articles also often mischaracterize the asylum process as 'illegal border crossings' or 'arrests,' creating a perception of criminality over what is a legal right to seek protection under both United States and international law."

Adam Isacson

Director for Defense Oversight

– Rolling Stone, Democrats Are, in Fact, Cracking Down at the Border

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