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:

Congress Passes “Big Beautiful Bill” – Major federal budget cuts spark LULAC’s response
Policy Round-Up – Latino economic opportunities, health updates, tech & AI news, and immigration reform developments
Local Spotlight – LULAC councils making a difference in Florida, California, and beyond
LULAC Legacy – A look back at how LULAC gave America’s kids a “Head Start”

National News:

Big Cuts in “Big Beautiful Bill” Spark Outrage:

A massive federal package nicknamed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” narrowly passed the U.S. House on May 22 in a 215–214 vote. Backed by President Trump and House leaders, this budget bill promises tax cuts but at a steep cost to social programs. It includes the largest cut to Medicaid in U.S. history – over $700 billion less for Medicaid over 10 years – which could strip health coverage from millions of low-income Americans (many in our Latino community). Veterans’ advocates are also alarmed, as the bill slashes about $23 billion from veterans’ health care funds that were promised under the recent PACT Act for treating toxic exposure.

LULAC has been front and center in the media voicing opposition. LULAC National President and Chairman Roman Palomares spoke out on the bill’s priorities in a recent statement, noting it “takes from our most vulnerable – our seniors, our children, our veterans – to pay for giveaways for the wealthy.” Such drastic cuts are “unconscionable and unacceptable,” Palomares said, urging lawmakers to find a better path forward that doesn’t balance the budget on the backs of Latino and veteran communities. LULAC appeared on news outlets to demand that the Senate reject these harmful cuts and protect programs that Latinos and veterans rely on for healthcare and basic needs”

Policy News:

Even as we grapple with big national decisions, there’s plenty happening in our key focus areas. Here’s a quick run-down of policy developments from this week:

Economic Empowerment:

The House moved to extend tax cuts first enacted in 2017, a step supporters say will boost small businesses and entrepreneurs. The LIBRE Initiative – a Latino conservative group – praised the tax package for “promoting growth and opportunity” in our community. Meanwhile, the latest data shows Latino unemployment hovering around 5%, near historic lows. That’s good news, but we’re watching wage growth and job quality to ensure prosperity reaches all families. LULAC continues to advocate for better jobs and access to capital for Latino-owned businesses.

Health & Wellness:

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and new reports highlight ongoing challenges for Latino health. One local study in California found a 48% rise in suicide rates among Latinos over 15 years – a stark reminder that culturally competent mental health services are urgently needed. On the policy front, the Medicaid cuts in the “Big Beautiful Bill” have raised alarms: Latino and Black doctors fear that slashing Medicaid will hurt the clinics and patients who depend on it most. LULAC is doubling down on its push for health equity, from funding community health centers to protecting Medicaid and SNAP benefits.

Immigration Reform:

This week, U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) unveiled a new immigration reform and border security proposal aimed at bridging the partisan divide in Congress. Gallego’s plan includes modernizing border infrastructure, adding personnel and technology to improve safety, and creating a pathway to legal status for long-term undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers and essential workers. It also proposes expanding legal immigration channels and providing resources for local communities affected by migration. Gallego, whose district includes parts of the Arizona-Mexico border, described the proposal as “a pragmatic and humane approach” designed to balance enforcement with compassion. While the plan faces long odds in a divided Congress, LULAC applauds the effort to restart serious dialogue around comprehensive immigration reform. In our communities, unfortunately, immigration raids are on the rise – from Florida to Tennessee – causing fear among immigrant families. LULAC councils are responding with “Know Your Rights” workshops and rapid response networks.

Local News:

Our LULAC councils have been busy bees this week, making a difference in communities across the country! Here are a few highlights celebrating our members’ work from May 16–22:

Tampa, Florida – “¡Adelante!” at State Convention: LULAC Florida hosted its Annual State Convention on May 16–17 at the University of South Florida, bringing together Latino leaders from across the state. Workshops ranged from education to voter registration, and youth members even led a panel on Latinx in tech! The City of Tampa honored the occasion by proclaiming May 17, 2025 as “LULAC Florida Day”. 🙌🏽 The convention was a huge success, energizing volunteers to go back to their communities and “get out the vote” for upcoming local elections.

Riverside, California – Holding Authorities Accountable: In California, LULAC councils are standing up for justice. This week LULAC joined the Riverside Sheriff Accountability Coalition at a public forum, demanding transparency and reforms in law enforcement. Community members shared stories of loved ones lost to police violence and called for independent oversight of the sheriff’s department. LULAC leaders in attendance emphasized that safety and respect go hand in hand. By the end of the night, dozens of new volunteers signed up to join LULAC’s civil rights committee, ready to keep the pressure on local officials.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Scholarships for Future Leaders: It’s graduation season, and LULAC Councils nationwide are awarding scholarships to help Latino students achieve their college dreams. 🎓 In Milwaukee, LULAC Council #346 held its annual awards dinner on May 20, celebrating five local high school seniors who earned LULAC National Scholarship Fund awards. Similar ceremonies took place from Texas to Massachusetts, as LULAC councils across 15 states participated in this year’s scholarship program. We are so proud of our estudiantes – they are the future of our community!

Know of a great local LULAC project in your area? Let us know – we want to highlight our councils’ work!

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? LULAC Pioneered Head Start

Here’s a feel-good fact from LULAC history: In the late 1950s, LULAC launched a program called “The Little School of the 400.” The idea was simple but powerful – teach Latino preschoolers 400 basic English words to give them a head start before kindergarten. The program was a huge success in Texas, boosting kids’ confidence and performance at school. It was so successful that President Lyndon B. Johnson adopted it as the model for the national Head Start program in 1965 as part of the War on Poverty. 😮 That’s right – the Head Start classes that have helped millions of children across America owe a big thank you to LULAC innovators like Felix Tijerina (a past LULAC president who spearheaded the project). This proud legacy of investing in education continues today in LULAC’s work. From early childhood education to our scholarship programs, we carry forward the belief that every child deserves a head start.

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