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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.

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.

Contents | Contenido

• Executive Director's Message || Mensaje de la Directora
• Legislative Updates | Actualizaciones legislativas
• Immigration: Resources and Information || Inmigración: recursos e información
• MCLA in the news || MCLA en las noticias
• The Small Latino Corner || El Rinconcito Latino
• Opportunities || Oportunidades

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

Commemorating Women's History Month 

Rosa Tock

The other day, LEDC asked me who or what inspires me in my professional and personal life. It might sound like a cliché, but the persons who have been the most influential in my life are my mother, mis abuelas, and my aunts. Other women, and some men as well, inspire me, but the wisdom, tenacity, and constant struggle of women through history, have shown me the way and continue to be my north star. So called "ordinary," but in fact extraordinary women, unsung sheroes that remain invisible, or do not have a title, have paved the way so that today many of us can stand in positions of leadership for the common good. Their fights remain valid and inspiring. 

At the turn of this century and before his death, the renowned Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez expressed in Time magazine: “The only new idea that could save humanity in the 21st century is for women to take charge of the world.” Worried about the future of the planet, he added that, contrary to men, "For women [...], environmental preservation is a life-or-death vocation." 

But as we know, women are still underrepresented in many fields, and this is true of Latina women. With some exceptions, whether it is on boards, in politics, in government, in science or other fields, even though we comprise a majority of the total population, our representation is still very low in spaces where consequential decisions are made. For instance, in the corporate world, women today make up 29 percent of C-suite positions, compared with just 17 percent in 2015. However, as the McKinsey & Company's study "Women in the Workplace 2024: The 10th-anniversary report" indicates: "the corporate pipeline is not as healthy as the numbers suggest. Women remain underrepresented across the pipeline, a gender gap that persists regardless of race and ethnicity."

The same applies to the economic gaps still affecting women. The Women's Foundation of Minnesota explains that Minnesota is a national leader in women’s workforce participation, at 66%, but "the gender wealth gap is larger than the gender wage gap and is exacerbated by racial inequalities, and women of color face even larger wealth gaps. While white women have 56 cents in wealth for every white male dollar, Latina women have only 10 cents, and Black women just five cents."

Fortunately, in Minnesota, there are laws and provisions that try to support women seeking to attain their full potential, like the Women's Economic Security Act (WESA) which strengthens workplace protections and boosts opportunities for women. So, I don't know if we will see a future where we “take charge of the world.” All I know is that for the preservation of this country and this planet to be secured, we cannot go backwards and erase all the rights, freedoms, and improvements we all enjoy.  We need to honor the sustained sacrifices, dedication, and labor of women like our madres, abuelas, y tías.

Lee aquí en español este mensaje.

The 2025 Legislative Session || La sesion legislativa 2025

Legislative Updates | Actualizaciones legislativas

Week 10 of session

We are now beginning the third month of the session with new power dynamics in the House of Representatives and the Senate, just ten weeks before the end of the regular session. With the election of a DFL candidate in district 40B last week, the chamber is again at full strength and tied, and all the committees will soon have co-chairs, except the newly created Fraud Prevention and Agency Oversight Committee that will remain Republican led. Speaker Lisa Demuth will remain Speaker of the House through the 2026 session. The new member, Representative David Gottfried, was sworn in yesterday, splitting the House 67-67. Now, 68 votes will be needed to pass bills in the House.

More than five thousand bills have been introduced so far in the legislature, an extraordinary number considering that the session had a rocky start. Soon, the committees in both chambers will set their financial targets based on the recently announced state budget forecast which looks grim for the next two biennia. The main priority for the state legislature is to pass a balanced budget for fiscal years 2026-2027 by June 30. 

With uncertainties at the federal level, the upcoming weeks should offer a more realistic picture of what the public can expect in terms of investments and allocations (or cuts) for a variety of programs and services, notably in special education, services to seniors and the disable, housing, child care, and health care.

As usual, MCLA will be working with our many community partners to ensure that our communities are informed and heard from on issues that impact our lives and families.

David Campana, MCLA's Legislative and Policy Director (Economic Development)

MCLA's staff continues to be actively engaged monitoring the session and testifying in support of our communities. David Campana, Legislative and Policy Director, testified on March 12 and March 17 in opposition to HF 16, a bill that would mandate the prohibition of non-cooperation resolutions of local law enforcement and ICE. Despite its narrow scope, the bill would be detrimental to the trust between immigrant communities -undocumented or not- and local police to report crimes. The bill is opposed by more than a dozen of organizations.  Watch the video here.

In addition, our Executive Director, Rosa Tock, testified in favor of SF 2043, a bill championed by a coalition of interpreter services that seeks to establish a workgroup with diverse stakeholders to support and improve access to the critical health care interpreting services provided across the state. Also, she proudly presented on the work of the Council, its added value to the state of Minnesota, and its key initiatives this year before the House State Government Finance and Policy committee. Tock 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 Rep. Jim Nash for the opportunity to present with colleagues of our state councils. 

Lee aquí en español este análisis. 

MCLA in the news || MCLA en las noticias

La Voz de Saint Paul destaca la labor de MiLLA en su tercer año

En entrevista con Leonor Villasuso en marzo para el periódico local La Voz Latina, los co-lideres de MiLLA, incluyendo a Rosa Tock, explican los principales objetivos de esta alianza que siempre busca expanderse, y las propuestas legislativas de su agenda consensuada para 2025.¡Juntos y juntas somos más! Lee en este enlace. 

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

La comunidad inmigrante no está sola / The immigrant community is not alone

Two key reports show the importance of immigrants' economic contributions to Minnesota. Read them here:

The Economic Contributions of Immigrants in Minnesota (2025) by the Minnesota Chamber Foundation

Time to work together: our roles in keeping and attracting residents (March 2025) by the Center for Rural Policy and Development.

Aquí encontrarán una lista de recursos y organizaciones que pueden apoyarle en momentos de incertidumbre.

✅Linea de emergencia para inmigrantes preparada por MCLA. Seguiremos actualizando estos recursos.

✅Conozca sus derechos 

✅UnidosMN: https://unidos-mn.org/resources-1 & Linea de derechos: 651-372-8642

✅MIRAC: https://www.miracmn.com/know-your-rights
✅La Red de Abogados Voluntarios: https://www.vlnmn.org/
✅Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: https://www.ilcm.org/
✅ Asistencia Legal de Mid-Minnesota: https://mylegalaid.org/es/
✅ Servicios Legales Regionales del Sur de Minnesota: https://www.smrls.org/
✅ Advocates for Human Rights: https://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/Home
✅ ACLU of Minnesota: https://www.aclu-mn.org/en/paginas-en-espanol
✅COPAL: https://copalmn.org/resources/

✅ CLUES: Guia de prevencion

Una nota de nuestro miembro del Consejo, Juve Meza, a propósito de su traducción de esta guía de recursos para jovenes indocumentados y sus aliados: "Cuando me senté a escribir esta guía, me encontré luchando con un sentimiento familiar de impotencia. Como abogado y defensor que ha trabajado dentro de la comunidad inmigrante, he presenciado de primera mano cómo los cambios políticos pueden trastornar vidas rápidamente. La creciente marea de retórica anti-inmigrante y los posibles cambios de política en el horizonte me llenaron de una profunda preocupación por el futuro de nuestra comunidad.

Pero entonces recordé algo crucial: a lo largo de mi viaje desde estudiante indocumentado hasta abogado con DACA, aprendí que incluso en los tiempos más oscuros, siempre hay caminos hacia adelante. A veces no son los caminos que inicialmente esperábamos, pero existen. La clave está en saber dónde buscar y tener la información correcta para tomar decisiones informadas."

Lea y comparta estos recursos haciendo click aquí.

El rinconcito Latino: Leadership, Tradition, and Innovators || Liderazgo, tradición e innovadores

CLUES new art exhibit / Nueva exhibición de arte en CLUES

"Connective Thread" by Colombian-Minnesotan artist Adriana Gordillo and Nena’s Atelier create space for women to examine Latina power through what covers, protects, and adorns the body: clothing and accessories. The exhibition draws on intergenerational memory and the strength of the artist’s all-women family: Adriana, her grandmother, mother, and aunt, and their bonding through sewing, an undervalued art form considered a craft, mere domestic labor. For more information, visit CLUES site here. 

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"Hilo Conectivo", de la artista colombiano-minnesotana Adriana Gordillo, y el Taller de Nena, crean un espacio para que las mujeres examinen su poder a través de lo que cubre, protege y adorna el cuerpo: la ropa y los accesorios. La exposición se inspira en la memoria intergeneracional y la fuerza de la familia de la artista, compuesta exclusivamente por mujeres: Adriana, su abuela, su madre y su tía, y su vínculo a través de la costura, una forma de arte subvalorada, considerada una artesanía, mera labor doméstica. Para mayor informacion, visite el sitio de CLUES en este enlace.

Meatpacking in Minnesota: How Migration and Labor Transformed Worthington Listen to another episode of Minnesota Unraveled, a podcast hosted by historian Dr. Chantel Rodríguez. In this new episode, Dr. Rodríguez delves into the he historical context of the meatpacking industry, including its migration from urban centers to rural areas. Chantel also explores how meatpacking’s history of relying on immigrant labor has evolved over time, and how the cultural landscape of rural towns such as Worthington were shaped by global forces.

Our Lady of Guadalupe on the West Side of Saint Paul: 30 years serving enchiladas during lent

For decades, Our Lady of Guadalupe, a catholic church in the heart of the Latino community on West Saint Paul and a bastion for multiple generations of Mexican Americans, has been serving delicious enchiladas during lent. Support your neighbors and enjoy a delicious meal in community. Watch this video with two foodies talking about these marvelous meals, while bringing the community together. Date: Fridays March 7- April 11 Time and location: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. / 401 Concord Street, Saint Paul, MN 55107

Jobs and Opportunities

Jobs in Government and Non-profits 

The following State of Minnesota job vacancies are open for application. To view a job announcement go to http://www.mn.gov/careers and enter the Job ID number (5-digit number) in the keywords field.   Job Title: Director of Banking & Trust Working Title: SPAM Principal Job ID 84662 Agency:  MN Department of Commerce Location: St. Paul Closes: March 31, 2025   Job Title:  Executive Budget Officer / Trainee Job ID:  84170 Agency:  Minnesota Management & Budget Location:  St. Paul, MN Closing Date:  March 20, 2025   Working Title:  Senior Associate General Counsel Job Title:  Staff Attorney 3 Job ID:  84737 Agency:  Department of Health Location:  St. Paul, MN Closing Date:  03/24/2025   Working Title:  Exhibit Technician Job Title:  General Repair Worker Job ID:  84513 Agency:  Pollution Control Agency Location:  St. Paul, MN Closing Date:  03/24/2025   Job Title:  Public Health Sanitarian 1 or 2 Job ID:  84681 Agency:  Department of Health Location:  St. Paul, MN Closing Date:  03/25/2025   Working Title:  Economist Job Title:  Budget Analyst II Job Posting:  Economist Agency:  Legislative Budget Office Location:  St. Paul, MN Closing Date:  04/01/2025   Working Title:  Environmental Data Specialist Job Title:  Management Analyst 1 Job ID:  84768 Agency:  Pollution Control Agency Location:  Duluth, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, St. Paul, Rochester, Mankato, Marshall, MN Closing Date:  03/25/2025   Working Title:  West Feedlot Unit Supervisor Job Title:  Pollution Control Specialist Principal Job ID:  84516 Location:  Duluth, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, St. Paul, Rochester, Mankato, Marshall, MN Closing Date:  04/02/2025

Job Opportunity at the Governor’s Office 

Accepted on a rolling basis 

The Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan is hiring a Director of Boards & Commissions. The Director of Boards & Commissions is responsible for managing the work necessary to process the Governor’s board, commission, council, and agency-head appointments. This position is part of the Governor’s Legal and Appointments team and reports to the General Counsel and Deputy Chief of Staff. Access the Director of Boards & Commissions job posting. 

Other job opportunities

UnidosMN is looking for a variety of positions: Immigration, climate, and healthcare organizers; a Data and technology manager, and a Communications Fellow. To learn more about these jobs go to their career opportunities here. 

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