CHC Chair Barragán and Whip Garcia Commend President Biden’s Nomination of Two Latina Judges

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Nanette Barragán and Whip Sylvia García issued the following statement on President Biden’s announcement that he will nominate two Latina judges, Ana de Alba and Irma Carrillo Ramirez, to vacancies on the federal courts of appeals for the Ninth and Fifth Circuits, respectively:

“We are thrilled to see President Biden recognize two exemplary Latina judges, Ana de Alba and Irma Carrillo Ramirez, to be elevated to vacancies on the federal courts of appeals for the Ninth and Fifth Circuits, respectively. De Alba and Carrillo Ramirez are two highly qualified and experienced Latina judges who have already distinguished themselves as top lawyers and jurists,” said CHC Chair Nanette Barragán. “The Congressional Hispanic Caucus applauds the President’s commitment to make sure the judges who sit on our federal courts reflect our country’s diversity and increase Latino representation at the highest levels. Representation matters and if both of these nominees are confirmed, President Biden will have been responsible for getting more Latinas confirmed to federal courts of appeal than any other president. We look forward to supporting these nominees and urge the Senate to swiftly approve their nominations.”

“Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez is a fantastic choice for the Fifth Circuit, a court that has too often sided against women’s rights, voting rights, and civil rights. No single judge will make our judicial system perfect. But when it comes to the Constitution - and I can tell you from personal experience - it matters to have your peers represented across the legal system,” stated Whip Rep. Sylvia R. Garcia. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion make our democracy stronger. It’s a good day for Judge Ramirez, her family, the American people, and our founding principles.”

“Judge Ana de Alba and I share a common bond of being daughters of Mexican immigrants who came to this country seeking a better life for themselves and their families, we both became lawyers because of experiences growing up, and now find ourselves in public service to our country,” said CHC Chair Nanette Barragán. “Our experiences are not unique though, especially in the states covered by the Ninth Circuit, what is unique, is having that perspective represented on one of the most prominent courts in the country. Judge de Alba has a remarkable story and has earned this opportunity to be at the top of her profession.”

Judge Ana de Alba is currently a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of California. If confirmed, she will be the fourth Latina to serve on the United States Court of Appeals of the Ninth Circuit.

Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez is currently a United States Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. She was previously nominated by President Obama to serve as district judge. If confirmed, Ramirez will be the first Latina to serve on the Fifth Circuit bench.

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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.