UnidosUS Lauds Biden-Harris Administration Actions to Expand Educational Opportunities for Latinos

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WASHINGTON, DC – This week, the Biden-Harris administration announced new executive actions aimed at expanding educational opportunities for Latino students. The announcement included an executive order establishing the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and a proposed rule to ensure access for Dreamers and undocumented students to the federal TRIO program.  

Elizabeth Zamudio, UnidosUS Vice President of Education, responded: “We applaud the Biden-Harris administration for taking these new actions that will open pathways to higher education for millions of Latino students. We know Hispanic-Serving Institutions are a driver of economic mobility for Latino students, but educational investments in them have not kept pace with the growing Latino student population. The HSI executive order establishes a commission to ensure Latino student success through critical investments in HSIs aligned with UnidosUS’s goal of doubling the number of Latino college graduates by 2040. 

“We are also elated to see the proposed rule to ensure access to TRIO programs and services for Dreamers and undocumented students, which UnidosUS is proud to have played a role in its advancement. We will continue to advocate for policies that strengthen the TRIO program’s ability to serve students from disadvantaged backgrounds, regardless of citizenship status.” 

In addition to the announcement, White House Domestic Policy Council and Department of Education officials joined UnidosUS at its 2024 Annual Conference in Las Vegas to discuss continued support for Latino students in higher education.