Voice and Action // MCLA's February 2025 Bilingual Newsletter / Boletin Bilingüe de Febrero 2025





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MCLA is an executive branch agency. We advise on policy and legislation, and work for the people of Minnesota and *367,000 Latino Minnesotans* to ensure equality and equity statewide.

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MCLA es una agencia de gobierno que asesora sobre políticas y legislación. Trabajamos para la gente de Minnesota y *367,000 Latinos*, a fin de asegurar igualdad y equidad en todo el estado.

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Contents | Contenido

* Executive Director's Message || Mensaje de la Directora [ #Hiring10 ]
* Legislative Updates | Actualizaciones legislativas [ #legislative ]
* Immigration: Resources and Information || Inmigración: recursos e información [ #immigration ]
* MCLA in the news || MCLA en las noticias [ #news ]
* The Small Latino Corner || El Rinconcito Latino [ #rinconcito ]
* Opportunities || Oportunidades [ #jobs ]

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Message from the Executive Director || Mensaje de la Directora Ejecutiva

*Facing uncertainties, the work continues*
Article_Footer_Rosa
Rosa Tock

As an immigrant to this country, and a resident in the state of Minnesota for twenty years, I am saddened and extremely worried about the immigration policies being implemented by the current administration in Washington. At MCLA, we work for the betterment of Latinos in our state, regardless of immigration status. The policies, legislation, and programs that we analyze and the recommendations we suggest impact all Minnesotans, including those of us who were born in other countries. MCLA embraces the long standing tradition of welcoming and integrating everyone into the social and economic fabric of our state and  nation.

Myths continue to prevail regarding undocumented immigrants. One of the most common myths is that immigrants, and the undocumented in particular, commit more crimes than people who are born here. This is not supported by evidence. As the American Immigration Council explained in a 2024 study [ [link removed] ]: "a robust body of research shows that welcoming immigrants into American communities not only does not increase crime, but can actually strengthen public safety. In fact, immigrants—including undocumented immigrants—are less likely to commit crimes than the U.S.-born. This is true at the national, state, county, and neighborhood levels, and for both violent and non-violent crime."

At the same time, there is the misperception that undocumented immigrants steal jobs or take public services for free. Actually, as reported by the Minnesota Reformer, [ [link removed] ] undocumented migrants contribute to the fiscal base of the state far more than they take. Undocumented immigrants pay more than $200 million in Minnesota taxes each year, according to a July 2024 report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. Nationwide, undocumented migrants pay close to $100 billion in taxes annually when including federal receipts.

“For every 1 million undocumented immigrants who reside in the country, public services receive $8.9 billion in additional tax revenue,” the analysts explain.

In addition, the Hispanic Advocacy and Economic Empowerment through Research (HACER) reports [ [link removed] ] that in Southern Minnesota, the direct economic generation by undocumented Latino workers amounts to $4.1 billion and $5.8 billion. Also, their overall economic production ranges from $6.5 billion to $9.3 billion. For every 10 employed undocumented Latino workers, approximately eight jobs are created in Southern Minnesota.

MCLA stands in solidarity with our immigrant communities and invites the public to dispel myths with facts and evidence, and to base policy decisions and public statements on accurate, fact based information that will be helpful as our neighbors, friends, and family members navigate this new climate.

Supporters of strict immigration enforcement say that they do not want to see raids in workplaces that indiscriminately target all immigrants. But there has already been racial profiling and unfair detentions, as we saw in New Jersey, where a U.S. citizen and veteran [ [link removed] ] was wrongly detained by ICE on January 23rd.

Right now, we all know someone who knows someone that has been directly affected and impacted by the ICE detentions in the Twin Cities. I often think that as a U.S. citizen I will be spared from these detentions. But that is not the case anymore. I fear these random arrests, confusion, or just an escalation of detentions so that ICE can meet their daily quotas [ [link removed] ].

Just in case, I am carrying with me my Global Entry Card, showing that I have a U.S. passport. "Just in case", but none of us should have to live in fear because of who we are.

girl and heart

Picture: Andrea Aragón, Guatemalan photographer

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Quadriga
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The 2025 Legislative Session || La sesion legislativa 2025

Legislative Updates | Actualizaciones legislativas

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We are entering the second month of the session and, after a rocky start, the DFL and GOP Caucuses reached a working agreement that brought all members to the House of Representatives, ending almost four weeks of uncertainty and legislative work. Also, for the first time in Minnesota's history, a Black woman was elected Speaker of the House. Speaker Lisa Demuth [ [link removed] ] (R-13A) will lead this body through the 2026 legislative session. 

In addition, the power-sharing agreement [ [link removed] ] includes other items. Until a new member is elected in district 40B on March 11, Republicans are chairing all committees in the House. Should there be a tie in this chamber, the agreement stipulates that these committees will have co-chairs, except the new Fraud Prevention and Agency Oversight Committee that will remain Republican led.

Whereas legislative priorities for the House DFL continue to be centered around affordable housing, access to health, improving childcare options, and following-up on the legislative wins of the last biennium, the Republican caucus is focusing on anti-fraud measures in government, a lean state budget, safety, and rolling back on programs and services, or unfunded mandates.

On the other hand, in the Senate, the special election of a DFL candidate on January 28, ended a temporary tie and power-sharing between the two parties. Senator Doron Clark [ [link removed] ], representing district 60, was sworn in in this chamber last week, bringing to 34 the DFL seats vs. 33 Republicans.

In the end, the state legislature must pass a balanced budget for fiscal years 2026-2027 by June 30. Hopefully their "entente" will prevail and agreeing on the budget will not merit a special session if they don't reach an agreement by May 19.






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MCLA's team during hearing
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David Campana, Legislative and Policy Director; Rosa Tock, Executive Director; Senate Chair Thou Xiong; Ivette Izea-Martinez, MCLA's Chair, and Estefania Jauregui, Office Manager

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In the meantime, MCLA's staff testified on January 28 before the Senate State and Local Government. We proudly presented on the work of the Council in the last biennium, the added value to the state of Minnesota, and the outcomes delivered based on our strategic plan. We also outlined some of our legislative priorities for 2025 with input from the community listening sessions conducted in the summer and fall of 2024. Thanks to co-chair Senator Thou Xiong for the opportunity to present, and our Chair Ivette Izea-Martinez for her eloquent closing remarks.

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MCLA in the news || MCLA en las noticias

La Voz de Saint Paul destaca las prioridades legislativas de MCLA
Media
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En entrevista con Leonor Villasuso en febrero para el periódico local La Voz Latina, Rosa Tock explica las principales prioridades legislativas del Consejo en 2025. Lee en este enlace [ [link removed] ]. 

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Immigration: Information and resources || Inmigración: información y recursos

DHS Webinar || Webinar del Departamento de Servicios Humanos

Immigration Basics: Community Advocates 

This training is designed for individuals who are working alongside newly arrived non-citizen individuals and families. In this session, we will cover the basic immigration structures in the United States, immigration relief options, client autonomy, and how to connect individuals and families to immigration legal services. This training will be conducted by a Hub partner organization. The Hub is supported by funding made available through the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

 

*Date*: Tuesday, March 18
*Time*: 10-11 a.m.
*Location*: Microsoft Teams
*Registration*: Immigration Basics: Community Advocates [ [link removed] ]

 

Línea de ayuda para inmigrantes y refugiados del Departamento de Servicios Humanos (DHS)

Infórmese en este enlace [ [link removed] ]. Deje un mensaje de voz las 24 horas del día, cualquier día de la semana. DHS le respondera durante el horario de la línea de información. 

 

Otros recursos:

 

Linea de emergencia [ [link removed] ] para inmigrantes preparada por MCLA. Seguiremos actualizando estos recursos.

 

Conozca sus derechos [ [link removed] ].

 

✅UnidosMN: [link removed] & Linea de derechos: 651-372-8642

✅MIRAC: [link removed]
✅La Red de Abogados Voluntarios: [link removed]
✅Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: [link removed]
✅ Asistencia Legal de Mid-Minnesota: [link removed]
✅ Servicios Legales Regionales del Sur de Minnesota: [link removed]
✅ Advocates for Human Rights: [link removed]
✅ ACLU of Minnesota: [link removed]
✅COPAL: [link removed]

✅ CLUES: Guia de prevencion [ [link removed] ]

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El rinconcito Latino: Leadership and Innovators || Liderazgo e innovadores

LEDC informa sobre nuevo restaurante Latinoamericano en Stillwater

Nuevo restaurante de inspiración guatemalteca-mexicana, Xelas, brinda sofisticación y nuevos sabores a Stillwater. Lee la nota completa del Latino Economic Development Center aqui [ [link removed] ]. 

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restaurante

Foto cortesia de LEDC

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podcast
Museums of the Streets: Muralismo in Saint Paul

Listen to the first episode of Minnesota Unraveled, a podcast [ [link removed] ] hosted by historian Dr. Chantel Rodríguez where she delves into the West Side’s rich muralist history, and why Chicano art is at its heart.



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Our Executive Director selected to participate in a local Latino leadership program

LatinoLEAD recently announced the new cohort of the Avanzando Leadership Program (ALP) for 2025. Our executive director, Rosa Tock, was selected this year to be a part of this program to enhance her leadership impact. The ALP is a Latine-centered training designed to support leaders in our community with the goal of developing the skills and networks to take the next step in their leadership journey. Learn more here [ [link removed] ] about the program and cohort. In the recent past, former MCLA's staff have benefited from the program: Felipe Illescas, Samantha Diaz, and Nicauris Heredia-Rosario.

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latino leadership program
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Jobs and Opportunities

Jobs in the State of Minnesota

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jobs
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The following State of Minnesota job vacancies are open for application.

To view a job announcement go to [link removed] [ [link removed] ] and enter

the Job ID number (5-digit number) in the keywords field.

 

Job Title: Trainee – W&M Investigator

Working Title: Trainee Weights & Measures Investigator

Job ID:  83889 [ [link removed] ]

Agency:  MN Department of Commerce

Location: SE Minnesota

Closes: 02/18/2025

 

Working Title:  Wetland Hydrologist

Job Title:  Hydrologist 2

Job ID:  83429 [ [link removed] ]

Agency:  Pollution Control Agency

Location:  Duluth, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, St. Paul, Rochester,

Mankato, Marshall, MN

Closing Date:  02/13/2025

 

Working Title:  Budget Coordinator

Job Title:  Accounting Officer Principal

Job ID:  83746 [ [link removed] ]

Agency:  Department of Health

Location:  St. Paul, MN

Closing Date:  02/13/2025

 

Job Title:  Accounting Officer Intermediate

Job ID:  83809 [ [link removed] ]

Agency:  Department of Administration

Location:  St. Paul, MN

Closing Date:  02/24/2025

 

Working Title:  Injury & Violence Prevention Manager

Job Title:  State Program Admin Manager, Principal

Job ID:  83801 [ [link removed] ]

Agency:  Department of Health

Location:  St. Paul, MN

Closing Date:  02/21/2025

 

Working Title:  Injury Prevention & Mental Health Assistant Director

Job Title:  Health Assistant Division Director

Job ID:  83811 [ [link removed] ]

Agency:  Department of Health

Location:  St. Paul, MN

Closing Date:  02/21/2025

 

Working Title:  Injury Prevention & Mental Health Division Director

Job Title:  Disease Prevention & Control Division Director

Job ID:  83807 [ [link removed] ]

Agency:  Department of Health

Location:  St. Paul, MN

Closing Date:  02/21/2025

 

Job Title:  Communications Specialist 2

Job ID:  83629 [ [link removed] ]

Agency:  Department of Health

Location:  St. Paul, MN

Closing Date:  02/13/2025

 

Working Title:  HR Records Worker

Job Title:  Student Worker Clerical

Job ID:  83864 [ [link removed] ]

Agency:  Pollution Control Agency

Location:  St. Paul, MN

Closing Date:  03/04/2025

 

Working Title:  North Central Watershed Worker

Job Title:  Student Worker Para-Professional

Job ID:  83846 [ [link removed] ]

Agency:  Pollution Control Agency

Location:  Brainerd, MN

Closing Date:  02/18/2025

 

Working Title:  Southeast Watershed Worker

Job Title:  Student Worker Para-Professional

Job ID:  83856 [ [link removed] ]

Agency:  Pollution Control Agency

Location:  Rochester, Mankato, MN

Closing Date:  02/18/2025

 

Working Title:  Source Water Protection Unit Manager

Job Title:  Health Program Manager

Job ID:  83680 [ [link removed] ]

Agency:  Department of Health

Location:  St. Paul, MN

Closing Date:  02/26/2025

 

Working Title:  GRAPS Program Supervisor

Job Title:  Environmental Health Supervisor

Job ID:  83359 [ [link removed] ]

Agency:  Department of Health

Location:  St. Paul, St. Cloud, Duluth, Rochester,

Marshall, Bemidji, Fergus Falls, MN

Closing Date:  02/26/2025



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*Do you have an event or job openings you want to share with the community? **Let us know!
Email: [email protected] <[email protected]>*

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