A message of courage and connection this National Hispanic Heritage Month 






















### A Message of Courage and Connection this
National Hispanic Heritage Month

Dear John,

**Every year from September 15th through October 15th, National Hispanic Heritage Month invites us to honor the generations who have shaped our communities with courage, creativity, and heart.** At the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), that legacy runs deep in our leadership and among our speakers who are reshaping what public safety can look like when it includes everyone.

Our Executive Director, Lt. Diane Goldstein (Ret.), came to the United States from Mexico when she was a child. Growing up as both Mexican and American shaped her sense of justice and belief that true safety begins with dignity and fairness. That belief guided her through two decades in policing, where she became the first female lieutenant in her department, and it continues to guide her today as she leads a national movement for change. This September, Diane was invited to join the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) as a lifetime member, following a formal nomination and review process by the Board of Directors — a recognition of her integrity, leadership, and lasting impact on the field of criminal justice reform.















*“I know what it means to bridge worlds — to wear a badge while also understanding what it feels like to be seen as an outsider. My heritage taught me empathy, and empathy taught me how to lead.”
— **Diane Goldstein**














#### A Moment for Truth and Humanity

As national debates over immigration and public safety grow louder, **LEAP continues to lead with courage, facts, and firsthand experience.** Our team of law enforcement professionals and justice experts is helping reframe the conversation, away from fear, and toward fairness and trust.















Diane isn’t alone in that calling. Many of our speakers proudly celebrate their Hispanic roots, including current and former police, prosecutors, judges, and corrections officials who bring depth, compassion, and truth to the work of justice reform. Their leadership reminds us of the critical role Hispanic professionals have played in advancing criminal justice reform with policies rooted in care, not punishment; connection, not fear.









**Standing for transparency:** Lt. Diane Goldstein (Ret.) published an op-ed in [*The Well News*]([link removed]) and [*Newsbreak*]([link removed]) supporting the **Immigration Enforcement Identification Safety Act**, calling for an end to the practice of federal agents obscuring their faces or identifying markers, a measure to strengthen trust between communities and law enforcement.




















*“Being a Hispanic law enforcement officer has allowed me to connect with others and provide encouragement to those who feel persecuted because of the color of their skin.”
— **Sheriff Eli Rivera, Cheshire County, NH**









**Challenging fear-based narratives:** In a widely published op-ed featured in outlets including the [*San Bernardino Sun*]([link removed]), [*Los Angeles Daily News*]([link removed]), and [*Orange County Register*]([link removed]), Lt. Goldstein (Ret.) pushed back against rhetoric that blames immigrants for crime, showing how such claims undermine police, divide communities, and make us all less safe.















*“As a Mexican American in the legal field, my background helps me stay grounded and aware of the communities I serve. It shapes how I see justice and reminds me why this work matters.”
— **Joseph Iniguez, Los Angeles County Chief Deputy District Attorney (Fmr.)**














**Defending community trust:** Major Neill Franklin (Ret.), LEAP’s former Executive Director, delivered testimony before the **House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement**, urging lawmakers to protect “sanctuary city” policies that preserve police-community cooperation and allow officers to focus on serious crime.















**Looking Ahead
We are proud of this work, but there is much more to do. [As we close National Hispanic Heritage Month, we invite you to stand with the trailblazing visionary voices — officers, prosecutors, judges, and corrections professionals who believe safety and compassion can exist together.]([link removed])

**Your support makes it possible for LEAP to continue uplifting truth, dignity, and progress in the movement for justice.**

In solidarity and gratitude,

**The Board and Staff of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership**









**Amplifying visionary voices:** In [a follow-up video viewed by policymakers and the public,]([link removed]) Major Franklin reaffirmed that sanctuary cities are not magnets for crime, but examples of how trust-based policing keeps everyone safer.

Each of these efforts reflects a simple truth: **public safety should never depend on fear or division — it must be built on trust, dignity, and respect for every community.**





















[DONATE
NOW]([link removed])

[PayPal]([link removed])













[]([link removed] "Facebook")[]([link removed] "Instagram")[]([link removed] "LinkedIn")[]([link removed] "X")















Sent by Law Enforcement Action Partnership Inc

[Unsubscribe from this list]([link removed])