Message from the President and CEO

on June 20, 2025 in Civil Rights

Protecting, defending and advancing our community

In the last issue of your donor newsletter, I briefed you on UnidosUS’s chief goal this year: protect, defend and advance the interests of the Latino community. Since then, I’ve been on Capitol Hill defending working families — including Latinos who face potentially devastating outcomes if the Senate passes the proposed federal budget — ensuring that our community’s voice is not just heard but drives the solutions we need.

As of this writing, the proposed federal budget slashes billions from health care programs, like Medicaid, stripping health coverage from more than 70 million Americans, including more than 20 million Latino children, seniors and working families. To protect the gains we’ve already made, UnidosUS joined 10 other civil rights and health organizations to release Medicaid Cuts Would Rip Away Health Coverage from Millions of Americans, Disproportionately Harming People of Color. This report analyzes how these cuts will drive up medical debt, worsen health outcomes and leave families without access to critical care. It also calls on policymakers to reject these adverse cuts and protect the health and financial security of all Americans.

In addition to our efforts to protect and defend, we are also working toward policy solutions that advance the economic mobility of Latinos.

In March, for example, we joined fellow co-sponsors California YIMBY and California Community Builders, along with Assemblymember Juan Carrillo (D-Palmdale), to introduce legislation for the Building Homeownership for All program (AB 595). The bill aims to expand affordable homeownership options for California’s working families by creating a new tax credit for builders that construct income-restricted, for-sale homes. Current home prices are out of reach for most Californians, with less than 55% living in homes they own. For Latinos, the rates are even lower at 19%. We’re optimistic about the potentially transformative impact AB 595 will have on families.

Your steadfast support has been crucial, as we’ve navigated the arduous first half of 2025. You help make these consequential efforts possible.

Thank you!