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A message from League of United Latin American Citizens



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View as web page:

[link removed]



Dear John,

Welcome to this week’s update on major developments in immigration and civil
rights. We have significant news from the Supreme Court and beyond – ranging from
birthright citizenship to voting rights – all with deep implications for our
community. Below we break down the key stories, what they mean, and how LULAC is
taking action each and everyday to protect the civil rights of our Latino
community.

Sincerely,

Roman Palomares, LULAC National President and Chairman

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In this issue
=============

* Supreme Court Poised to Uphold Birthright Citizenship, Questions Nationwide
Injunctions

* Supreme Court Blocks Wartime Law Deportations of Venezuelan Migrants

* LULAC & League of Women Voters Fight Florida’s Ballot Initiative Crackdown

* LULAC Launches New Legal Defense Fund to Strengthen Civil Rights Advocacy

* LULAC Raises Alarm on Voting Rights in Senate Hearing (SAVE Act)

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Supreme Court Poised to Uphold Birthright Citizenship, Questions Nationwide
Injunctions
===========================================================================

The U.S. Supreme Court heard historic oral arguments [ [link removed] ]
this week on President Trump’s executive order seeking to limit birthright
citizenship, a right enshrined in the 14th Amendment. The Court appeared inclined
to block Trump’s order from taking effect, with a majority of justices voicing
concern about denying citizenship to U.S.-born children of undocumented
immigrants. Even conservative justices signaled skepticism. “For all the
newborns? Is that how it’s going to work?” pressed Justice Brett Kavanaugh,
questioning how the policy could even be implemented. Justice Sonia Sotomayor was
more blunt when she noted that the President’s order flies in the face of at
least four Supreme Court precedents and reminded the courtroom that “even if your
parents are here illegally, if you’re born here, you’re a citizen”. Such
statements during the hearing suggest bipartisan doubt about the legality of
undermining birthright citizenship. Importantly, the justices also debated the
scope of nationwide injunctions – the lower-court orders that have been used to
block many of Trump’s policies nationally. While the Court may rein in those
broad injunctions in the future, it seemed unwilling to allow this executive
order to proceed in the meantime. [ [link removed] ]
For LULAC and our allies, this was an encouraging sign that the highest court
will uphold the Constitution’s promise that anyone born on American soil is an
American citizen.



Supreme Court Blocks Wartime Law Deportations of Venezuelan Migrants
====================================================================

In a separate emergency decision, the Supreme Court delivered a major victory for
due process. The Court on Friday blocked the Trump administration from deporting
a group of Venezuelan migrants under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, an archaic
wartime law. [ [link removed] ]
The administration had attempted to use this law to fast-track removals –
avoiding the normal asylum and immigration court process. A 7–2 majority sided
with the migrants, effectively halting the plan. The justices’ message was clear:
even in matters of national security or emergency power, the government cannot
strip away constitutional protections. “Deporting people in silence without due
process or oversight” is unacceptable in America, said LULAC National President
Roman Palomares, applauding the ruling. He and LULAC strongly object to any
unconstitutional immigration enforcement that attempts to deport individuals
without their day in court. This Supreme Court intervention is a significant
setback for the administration’s hardline tactics. It affirms that fundamental
rights – like the right to a hearing – still apply, and it validates what LULAC
has argued all along: our laws must not permit mass deportations without due
process.



LULAC & League of Women Voters Fight Florida’s Ballot Initiative Crackdown
==========================================================================

This week LULAC joined forces with the League of Women Voters of Florida (LWVFL)
to challenge a new Florida law that severely restricts citizen ballot initiatives [ [link removed] ] .
On May 14, LULAC and LWVFL filed a legal motion in federal court to intervene
against Florida House Bill 1205, a law that erects major barriers to the state’s
citizen-led constitutional amendment process. The organizations argue that HB
1205 is unconstitutional, violating Floridians’ First Amendment rights (free
speech and assembly) as well as due process and equal protection. What does the
law do? It guts direct democracy: making it harder to collect petition
signatures, imposing onerous paperwork and fees, and even threatening volunteer
petition circulators with criminal penalties. “We need to call this law what it
is: a direct attack on Floridians who simply want a say in the political
process,” said Cecile Scoon, LWVFL co-president. LULAC’s own leadership made
clear what’s at stake. “Legislators are trying to silence the voices of
Floridians, including those who have been historically excluded… By erecting
barriers to signature gathering and threatening organizers with criminal
penalties, HB 1205 undermines the right to speech and violates one of the last
remaining tools communities have to hold the powerful accountable. We cannot let
this stand,” declared LULAC National President Roman Palomares. The lawsuit
backed by LULAC seeks to protect the citizen initiative process – a crucial
avenue for minority communities to enact policies when politicians ignore them.
This joint action sends a strong message: voters will not be silenced in Florida
without a fight.



LULAC Launches New Legal Defense Fund to Strengthen Civil Rights Advocacy
=========================================================================

In a major step for our organization, LULAC this week announced the launch of the
LULAC Legal Defense Fund [ [link removed] ] – a dedicated fund to
support litigation and legal initiatives defending Latino civil rights. This
marks “a new chapter in Latino civil rights,” expanding LULAC’s nearly
century-long fight for justice. The Legal Defense Fund will empower LULAC to take
on urgent court battles over immigration, voting rights, education, and more.
What will the LDF do? It will fund lawsuits and legal teams to challenge unjust
policies, provide support for community-driven cases, and sponsor a Legal Fellows
program to train new civil rights attorneys. Already, LULAC’s legal efforts have
notched important wins: LULAC was the first to challenge the executive order
attacking birthright citizenship and won multiple court injunctions to safeguard
the 14th Amendment. [ [link removed] ]
LULAC also helped halt the unlawful deportation order targeting refugees –
ensuring due process and human dignity were upheld. These victories underscore
why a LULAC Legal Defense Fund is needed now. Our civil rights are under attack,
but with your support, LULAC’s LDF will fight back in courtrooms nationwide. This
launch is a powerful commitment that LULAC is doubling down on legal advocacy to
protect our community.



LULAC Raises Alarm on Voting Rights in Senate Hearing (SAVE Act)
================================================================

On Capitol Hill, LULAC took a stand in a congressional forum on election
interference and voting rights. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) convened a Senate
Rules Committee “spotlight” hearing this week focused on the dangers of recent
partisan attacks on voting – including the so-called Safeguard American Voter
Eligibility (SAVE) Act and a new Trump executive order on elections. [ [link removed] ]
LULAC’s CEO Juan Proaño was invited as a witness, joining state election
officials and advocates to testify about the harmful impacts of these measures.
Proaño did not mince words: “I appear today to voice our unequivocal opposition
to the so-called SAVE Act. This anti-voter bill would make it significantly
harder for millions of Americans – especially Latinos, immigrants, Black
Americans, and women – to exercise their right to vote”. He explained that the
SAVE Act would force every voter to produce proof of citizenship (like a passport
or birth certificate) every time they register, disproportionately burdening
communities of color and disenfranchising countless eligible voters. LULAC also
submitted a supplemental statement for the Senate record detailing how the bill
echoes ugly chapters of voter suppression and “solves” a non-existent problem
(since non-citizen voting is already illegal and exceedingly rare) [ [link removed] ] .
Senator Padilla and fellow senators praised LULAC’s advocacy, noting that efforts
like the SAVE Act are “a solution in search of a problem” aimed at undermining an
inclusive democracy. Watch the hearing here [ [link removed] ]
to see LULAC’s testimony and the robust defense of voting rights. LULAC will
continue to work with policymakers to stop the SAVE Act and any attempt to roll
back the voting rights of our communities.



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 [ [link removed] ] . This 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 [ [link removed] ] to the LULAC Legal
Defense Fund today. Every bit helps us continue the critical work of protecting
our community’s rights and future.

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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 [ [link removed] ] ).
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 [ [link removed] ] . We hope to see you at one of these
gatherings – everyone is invited to participate and strengthen the LULAC
movement!

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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 [ [link removed] ]
to support this important work.

Support Our Mission: Consider making a donation to LULAC [ [link removed] ]
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















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