UnidosUS President & CEO Congratulates President Biden and Vice President Harris on Their Historic Inauguration

Nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization calls on the new president to act boldly and swiftly to address COVID, the economy, and racial healing

WASHINGTON, DC—Following the inauguration today of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía issued the following statement:

“On behalf of UnidosUS, I want to congratulate President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their inauguration today. It’s a new day for America, one that marks historic milestones for the country, including the first woman, the first woman of color, and daughter of immigrants sworn in as Vice President of the United States. It was especially moving and fitting that she was sworn into office by the first Latina to serve on the Supreme Court, Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

I am very proud of the role the Latino community played in making this day possible. We and our sister organizations worked tirelessly to mobilize the largest turnout of Latino voters in US history. Our voters came out in record numbers for change, progress, and unity after four years of polarization and demonization.”

“I am pleased to hear the president reaffirm his commitment to our community, including his plan to defeat the coronavirus pandemic in all communities, most urgently in the equitable distribution of vaccines, and also his America Rescue Plan, which would provide significant new relief to those workers and families who have suffered economically due to the pandemic, including the unemployed, the hungry, small businesses, and those facing evictions.”

“We also applaud the president’s plan to introduce a comprehensive immigration reform bill that provides a fair and attainable path to citizenship for DACA and TPS holders, essential workers and the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants who call the United States home.

“But perhaps most important, this country must come together. Systemic racism is an open wound on our body politic and we can only start to heal by taking a long, hard look at systemic inequality and the policies and institutions that have ignored or, worse, fostered prejudice and racism in America. We call on President Biden and Vice President Harris to establish a White House Office on Racial Equity and Inclusion to coordinate the full range of federal agency efforts towards these ends. When everyone can contribute to America’s success, America succeeds for everyone.

“And finally, while we are eager to move forward as a nation, we cannot do so without holding those responsible for degrading our democracy and inciting violent insurrection, accountable.

This is a historic day, and I am filled with hope. With new leadership committed to governing on behalf of all Americans, it is time to get to work.”