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:

Special Report: LULAC’s Fight for Justice in the Angelina Resendiz Case: Angelina Resendiz’s tragic death has become a rallying cry for accountability and reform in the U.S. Navy.
Supreme Court Leaves Birthright Citizenship Protections Intact (For Now) – High Court limits nationwide injunctions, but 14th Amendment rights remain secure.
Court Allows “Third-Country” Deportations – SCOTUS lifts injunction, letting Trump officials deport immigrants to countries like South Sudan despite legal challenges.
Law Enforcement as a Political Weapon? – Elected officials detained, and masked ICE raids spark outrage; most ICE detainees have no criminal record.
Healthcare Cuts vs. Tax Cuts – Trump’s “Big Beautiful” budget bill slashes Medicaid & aid programs, adds trillions to debt, prompting bipartisan concern.
Texas LULAC State Convention Highlights – LULAC leaders focus on economic empowerment, health, tech & AI, and immigration reform at Odessa gathering.

Special Report:

LULAC’s Fight for Justice in the Angelina Resendiz Case

Angelina Resendiz’s tragic death has become a rallying cry for accountability and reform in the U.S. Navy.

Angelina Resendiz was a 21-year-old Navy sailor from Brownsville, Texas, who disappeared from her base on May 29 and was found dead near Naval Station Norfolk nearly two weeks later, on June 10. Her shocking death – and the Navy’s bungled response to her disappearance – has drawn national scrutiny. On June 25, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) stood alongside Resendiz’s mother, Esmeralda Cantu Castle, at a Washington, D.C. press conference to demand answers. LULAC leaders decried the Navy’s “silence, failures, and dishonesty” in Resendiz’s case, calling her death “preventable” and urging that those responsible be held to account.

Allegations of Navy Missteps: The details that emerged about the Navy’s handling of Resendiz’s disappearance are deeply disturbing. LULAC and Resendiz’s family have outlined several gut-wrenching failures in the Navy’s response:

Delayed Missing-Person Alert: Base officials misclassified Resendiz as AWOL (absent without leave) instead of as a missing person, and waited six days to officially report her missing – a delay that stalled public alerts and search efforts.
False Assurances to Family: Navy personnel gave Resendiz’s mother misleading information, at one point claiming that Angelina was “sleeping in her room” when in fact she was nowhere to be found. This cruel false hope wasted precious time.
Suspect Left Free on Base: The prime suspect – a fellow sailor who was reportedly the last person to see Angelina – was allowed to remain on duty and on base after initial questioning, instead of being detained or closely monitored.
Inadequate Search Efforts: Military investigators failed to locate Resendiz in the critical days after her disappearance. In the end, it was a group of children playing in a wooded area off-base who discovered her remains, not the Navy. This discovery, miles from her barracks, underscored the lack of an effective search.
Mishandling of Her Remains: Perhaps most heartbreaking, when Angelina’s body was finally returned to her family, it had not been properly cared for or prepared. Her mother tearfully recounted seeing Angelina’s remains “infested with maggots” — a horrifying indication that the Navy failed to preserve her body with dignity.

These revelations have not only devastated Resendiz’s family, but they have also outraged the Latino community and veterans’ advocates. “The military failed her,” Castle said, emphasizing that Angelina’s tragedy is not an isolated incident but part of a systemic pattern of negligence. “We shouldn't be okay with this… These aren't isolated incidents, they're happening systematically across all branches,” she lamented. The case has drawn painful parallels to the 2020 murder of Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén, another young Latina service member whose pleas for help were ignored until it was too late. In both cases, serious lapses in military protocol and communication with the family contributed to a preventable loss of life.

Echoes of Vanessa Guillén – A Systemic Failure: LULAC leaders have explicitly linked Resendiz’s case to Guillén’s, arguing that the Navy’s response “painfully echoed the systemic failures” exposed by Guillén’s death five years ago. “The delays, miscommunication, and lack of urgency surrounding her disappearance are unacceptable and eerily reminiscent of the failures that led us to fight for the I Am Vanessa Guillén Act five years ago,” said Roman Palomares, LULAC’s national president, underscoring how little seems to have changed since 2020. The I Am Vanessa Guillén Act, passed in the wake of the Fort Hood tragedy, was meant to reform how the military handles sexual harassment and missing personnel cases – yet Resendiz’s fate shows that implementation of those reforms remains woefully incomplete.

LULAC Demands Accountability and Reform: In response to this tragedy, LULAC has mobilized at the highest levels of government. The organization sent a formal letter to the Secretary of the Navy calling for a full investigation into Resendiz’s death, and has alerted senior Pentagon officials as well as members of Congress on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees about the case. LULAC representatives, alongside Angelina’s mother, have met with lawmakers – including those from Angelina’s home state of Texas and officials from Virginia – to push for oversight hearings and action. The June 25 press conference in D.C., combined with these Capitol Hill meetings, is part of LULAC’s strategy to bring national attention to what it calls a profound injustice. Nearly five years after rallying the nation for Vanessa Guillén, LULAC is making it clear that it will not allow history to repeat itself without challenge.

Press:

LULAC Press Release – “LULAC Demands Full Transparency and Accountability in the Death of Navy Servicemember Angelina Resendiz,” June 2025.
Texas Public Radio – “LULAC demands accountability for Angelina Resendiz, a sailor found dead, echoing Guillén case,” June 25, 2025.
WTKR News 3 (Norfolk) – “‘The military failed her’: Resendiz’s mom accuses Navy of delays, miscommunication in daughter’s death,” June 25, 2025.
Stars and Stripes – “LULAC demands accountability for Angelina Resendiz, a sailor found dead, echoing Guillén case,” June 25, 2025. (Reprinted by TPR and other outlets)

National News:

Supreme Court Keeps Birthright Citizenship Intact – While Curbing Injunctions

The U.S. Supreme Court this week issued a procedural ruling in Trump v. CASA that narrows the use of nationwide injunctions by lower courts. Crucially, the justices did not decide whether President Trump’s order ending birthright citizenship is constitutional – meaning the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of citizenship by birth remains unaltered for now. The decision maintains existing court orders blocking Trump’s policy for 30 days while new challenges can proceed.

Not a Green Light on Birthright Citizenship: The Court’s ruling was narrow and procedural, focusing only on injunctions. It did not uphold Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship, and did not address the order’s constitutionality. The injunctions protecting the plaintiffs remain in effect, and new legal challenges are already underway.
14th Amendment Still Stands: This decision does not permit nationwide enforcement of any unconstitutional policy. Birthright citizenship is enshrined in the 14th Amendment, a cornerstone of American democracy for nearly 160 years. LULAC and other civil rights groups stress that any effort to eliminate birthright citizenship is unlawful and will be vigorously fought in court and beyond.
Next Steps: The issue is far from settled. Legal experts note that the executive order in question is blatantly unconstitutional, and they expect it to be struck down if it ever reaches the High Court on the merits. In the meantime, communities and advocacy organizations are mobilizing to defend this “core American right” on multiple fronts.

Supreme Court OKs Deportations to Third Countries with No Ties

In a separate immigration development, the Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump administration to resume “third-country” deportations – removing people to countries where they have no ties. In an unsigned June 23 order (issued on the Court’s emergency docket without a full opinion), the justices lifted a nationwide injunction that had required officials to give advance notice and allow migrants to contest deportation to a third country. All three liberal justices dissented, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor calling the move an “abuse” of power that “reward[s] lawlessness” by the administration.

Due Process Stripped Away: Advocates warn this ruling strips critical due process protections from vulnerable immigrants. The lifted injunction had ensured people got notice and a chance to claim protection (e.g. asylum or relief under the Convention Against Torture) before being sent to a country they weren’t originally deported to. Without it, immigrants can now be deported without a hearing or time to challenge removal to a dangerous place.
Real-Life Consequences: The Trump administration has already tried to send individuals to war-torn nations like South Sudan and Libya, even when those migrants are not from there. In one case, seven men – none from South Sudan – were put on a plane to Juba with only overnight notice. A federal judge intervened mid-flight, halting the deportation over fears the men faced torture or death if left there. The men were being held in a shipping container at a U.S. base in Djibouti pending further court action.
“Direct Assault” on Rights: Immigration attorneys say the Supreme Court’s stay “leaves thousands of people vulnerable” to removal to places known for human rights abuses. “The ramifications ... will be horrifying; it strips away protections that have been preventing torture and death,” said Trina Realmuto of the National Immigration Litigation Alliance. Under U.S. law and international law, it’s illegal to deport someone to a country where they’re likely to be tortured – yet now people may be expelled without any chance to raise those claims. Advocates are racing back to court to seek a permanent ban on this practice.

Federal Agents Accused of Targeting Critics and Communities

A growing chorus of Latino leaders and public officials say the Trump administration is weaponizing law enforcement for political ends – terrorizing immigrant communities and even detaining elected leaders who push back. Recent incidents have raised alarm that constitutional rights are being trampled in the name of “law and order,” as authorities conduct sweeping immigration raids and crack down on critics.

Mayor Arrested, Sues for ‘Malicious’ Persecution: Newark, NJ Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested and detained by DHS agents during a peaceful protest outside an ICE detention center. Though trespassing charges were dropped, Baraka described the ordeal as “malicious persecution” and filed a lawsuit against the officials involved. “The Trump administration is using law enforcement as an appendage of their ideology to hammer us,” Baraka said, after witnessing a Congresswoman also charged for monitoring ICE’s activities. Civil rights groups note that members of Congress have a legal right to inspect immigration facilities, yet the administration is tightening rules to impede oversight.
Violent Raids Terrorize Families: Across the country, plainclothes ICE agents with masks have been grabbing people off streets, at work, and even outside schools. In California, video of a particularly brutal arrest went viral: Narciso Barranco, a 52-year-old landscaper and father of three U.S. Marines, was tackled by a team of armed ICE agents outside a restaurant in Orange County. Agents in ski masks pepper-sprayed and beat Barranco, dislocating his shoulder, before throwing him into an unmarked van. Barranco, who has no violent record, was taken into detention without immediate medical care, prompting public outrage and a call for his release.
Enforcement vs. Community Safety: These heavy-handed tactics – including reports of armored vehicles used to break down gates in residential raids – have sown fear in Latino neighborhoods from Los Angeles to New Jersey. Community members describe empty streets and children afraid to go to school amidst the raids. “They’re treating working families like enemies of the state, with no regard for due process,” said one LULAC official.
Who Is Being Detained: Despite the administration’s rhetoric about targeting “criminals,” most people caught in ICE sweeps are non-criminals or minor offenders. New ICE data show that 65% of those booked into ICE detention this year had no criminal convictions, and 93% had no violent convictions at all. Many are law-abiding individuals picked up at jobs, homes, or even courthouses. In fact, arrests of people with zero criminal history have tripled under a recent mandate to boost deportation numbers.
Public Opinion: The administration’s extreme measures are unpopular with most Americans. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. voters (64%) prefer offering undocumented immigrants a pathway to legal status over mass deportation. Only 31% support deporting most undocumented people, according to a June 26 Quinnipiac poll. There is also broad agreement (even among Republicans) that ICE agents should wear identifiers: 68% of Americans say agents should be required to wear uniforms (rather than masks/plainclothes) when making arrests. Taken together, the public sentiment is clear – enforcement must respect basic rights and humanity, not instill fear. LULAC’s position: Being a nation of laws “doesn’t mean trampling constitutional rights,” and the organization continues to fight abuses and push for comprehensive immigration reform that protects families and respects due process.

Policy News

Medicaid on the Chopping Block in Trump’s Budget Bill

“A big, beautiful bill,” as President Trump calls it, squeaked through the House last month and is now under Senate debate – and Latino advocates are sounding the alarm. The sweeping legislation couples tax cuts for billionaires with deep cuts to healthcare and safety nets. Analysts say the bill would extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts (benefiting the wealthiest) while slashing Medicaid, SNAP food assistance, education funding, and more. “This bill doesn’t help America. It helps Trump’s billionaire friends.”

Life-or-Death Stakes: Medicaid, in particular, faces drastic reductions. Senators from both parties have raised red flags – Republican Senators Thom Tillis (NC) and Susan Collins (ME), for example, warned that the bill’s Medicaid overhaul could devastate healthcare in their states, especially for rural hospitals and vulnerable patients. Medicaid is a lifeline for millions of Latinos, including children with special needs, low-income families, and elderly veterans. Gutting it could lead to worse health outcomes and higher mortality, experts say, especially in underserved areas.
Millions Could Lose Coverage: According to Congressional Budget Office estimates, the House-passed plan would result in roughly 7.8 million Americans losing Medicaid coverage, and another 4 million losing ACA marketplace insurance, over the next decade. This comes on top of the plan’s cuts to subsidies and public health funding. Sen. Collins called these projections “deeply concerning,” noting her state’s most vulnerable citizens “could be left without care.”
Adds to the Debt: Despite being touted as a cost-saving measure, the bill would massively increase the deficit. The nonpartisan CBO and other analyses indicate Trump’s package adds about $4 trillion to the national debt over 10 years. (It achieves some savings through spending cuts, but those are outweighed by the $3.7 trillion in tax cuts mainly for corporations and high earners.) In other words, critics say, it’s tax breaks for the wealthy paid for by stripping services from working families, while ballooning the debt.
LULAC’s Response: LULAC and other Latino leaders are fiercely opposed to the bill’s priorities. “We are concerned about actions that hurt our minority communities,” said LULAC National President and Chairman Roman Palomares, noting that Latinos rely heavily on programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and public education. In an interview, Palomares emphasized that Senators “need to understand those cuts are going to affect the Hispanic community” – and urged them to protect their constituents rather than rubber-stamp reckless cuts. Even some Republicans seem to agree; the Senate has slowed the bill’s progress, and behind closed doors lawmakers are reportedly reworking Medicaid provisions that the Senate parliamentarian flagged as problematic.
What’s Next: The Senate GOP had aimed to pass the bill by the July 4th recess, but internal disagreements may push it back. LULAC is mobilizing its councils to contact Senators and highlight stories of community members who would be harmed. The bottom line: healthcare is on the line – from disabled children’s therapies to nursing home care for seniors – and LULAC vows to fight any bill that takes away health coverage or nutrition assistance from Latino families to fund tax windfalls for the rich.

Local News

LULAC Texas State Convention Spotlights Community Empowerment

Odessa, TX – LULAC members from across the state converged in New Braunfels from June 19–22 for the 2025 LULAC Texas State Convention & Expo, a gathering focused on empowering Latino communities at the local level. The convention – with the theme “Latino Pathways” – featured workshops, panel discussions, and celebrations of Latino culture and achievement.

Keynote from LULAC National President and Chairman: Roman Palomares, LULAC’s National President and Chairman, delivered an inspiring keynote address. He encouraged attendees to “train and develop legacy builders” within the Latino community and to “empower the next generation” of leaders. Palomares reaffirmed LULAC’s mission to advocate for equitable policies that uplift Latinos in all areas – from education and economic opportunity to veterans’ affairs and LGBTQ rights. “I look forward to representing this organization with integrity, passion, and a relentless drive to make a positive difference as we work together to build a brighter future for all,” he told the crowd.
Focus on Core Issues: Convention sessions aligned with LULAC’s national priorities in economic empowerment, health & wellness, technology & AI, and immigration reform. Panels on small business development and access to capital drew entrepreneurs and local officials to discuss boosting Latino-owned businesses. A health equity forum addressed disparities in healthcare access in Texas and highlighted LULAC’s Feria de Salud initiatives. A particularly timely session, “Understanding AI: Tools, Truths, and the Future of Our Communities,” explored how new technologies – from artificial intelligence to broadband – can be leveraged to close the digital divide rather than widen it. Attendees also strategized on immigrant integration and heard updates on fighting anti-immigrant state policies from Texas LULAC’s legislative team.
Honoring Service and Heritage: A highlight of the event was a gala dinner honoring Latino military veterans and civil rights pioneers. LULAC paid tribute to the late Rudy Rosales Jr., the first openly gay Texas LULAC State Director who passed away last year after a lifetime of service. “He was more than a friend, he was a light… the ache we feel now that he is gone,” Palomares said in a moving remembrance. The convention also coincided with the unveiling of an exhibit on the history of LULAC in Texas, reminding attendees that today’s advocacy stands on the shoulders of giants. With renewed energy and unity, Texas LULAC members left the convention ready to tackle the challenges of the year ahead.

LULAC History

Did You Know?

Alonso S. Perales (October 17, 1898 – May 9, 1960) was an American lawyer, diplomat, and civil rights activist based in Texas. He was the intellectual architect of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) though he served as the second president, helping write its constitution. Perales also served as a US diplomat in thirteen missions in Latin America in the 1920s. Perales was born on October 17, 1898, in Alice, Texas to Susana (née Sandoval) and Nicolás Perales. At age 6 his father died and at 12 he was orphaned. He worked as a child picking cotton, peddled tamales and pan dulce, and worked for the railroad. He married Marta Engracia Pérez of Rio Grande City, daughter of prominent businessman Casimiro Perez Alvarez. Together, they adopted a daughter and two sons in the 1950s.

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.

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