Hispanic Caucus Chair to Latino Community: We Are Still With You

Washington, D.C. – Representative Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), today released the following statement following the results of the 2016 election:

"This election yielded a lot of hurt and divisive rhetoric. The Latino community was scapegoated for political gain. We know there is fear and angst, especially in the undocumented immigrant community, but we are still with you. For the past 40 years, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus has served as the voice and conscience of the Latino community on Capitol Hill. We will not give up on this work, and we will never give up on the community.

"To the Latino community: you have Members of Congress who will keep fighting for comprehensive immigration reform and keeping families together, who will advocate for good-paying jobs, and who will be in your corner every day. Now more than ever, we have to be resilient and for the sake of our country, we have to allow ourselves to listen to each other and to make sure the clock of progress is not turned backwards. We do not have the luxury to allow ourselves to be defeated.

"In the coming weeks, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus will request a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump. Throughout his campaign, Mr. Trump made a myriad of insulting comments about the Latino community. We need to make sure he better understands the challenges our community faces and does not act on his extreme rhetoric as President of the entire United States of America. Our points of view may be different, but as one of the largest growing demographics, we cannot afford to talk past each other for the next four years."

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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.