Message from the President and CEO
Civil Rights Under Attack
In early April, the Supreme Court heard arguments in the case of Trump v. Barbara regarding the constitutionality of the president’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship. Thanks to support from donors like you, UnidosUS was able to join other civil rights allies on the ground, outside the court, to rally for the rule of law and raise the visibility of this critical issue.
This case could determine whether children born in the United States are recognized as Americans. Ending birthright citizenship would disproportionately harm Latino children who make up 75% of all U.S.-born children with noncitizen parents. Depending on how the court frames its decision, citizenship rules could differ state by state and potentially expand the undocumented and/or stateless population significantly. This is not just about immigration — it’s about civil rights, equal protection and the rule of law.
The court is expected to rule on the case sometime this summer. With your ongoing and invaluable support, we will continue to fight this effort by the executive branch, which is just another example of its unlawful abuse of power.
In late April, the Supreme Court decided to dismantle Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in the case of Louisiana v. Callais, eviscerating the safeguards enacted by Congress to protect the voting power and choices of minority voters. This means we must continue to come together and protect our fundamental right to fully participate and be represented in our democracy. We call on all voters to ensure they are registered to vote and to exercise their right to vote in this year’s midterm elections. We will not be silenced.
Despite the steady barrage of assaults on our civil rights, we must stay focused on our collective efforts and unity. That’s why I’m so looking forward to our Annual Conference in July. This event is such a special opportunity for our gente to come together in solidarity, support and celebrate each other, and share creative ideas and solutions to continue uplifting our community in the face of deep challenges. I hope to see you July 29-30 in Austin, Texas.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to UnidosUS!
Janet Murguía
President and CEO
P.S. Some elections are decided by less than 1% of the vote. Voting is your right. Use it! To register or check your registration status, click here.
