Press Releases
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) launched twelve Task Forces. Task Forces are chaired by CHC Members and are responsible for developing policy priorities, positions, and legislation that will be incorporated into an annual Caucus legislative agenda.
For the 115th Congress, the CHC reorganized the Task Force focus areas and added new Task Forces in order to better address the policy needs of Hispanic communities.
Immigration and Border Issues
Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (IL-4), Chair
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham introduced the "Build Bridges Not Walls Act," which would prohibit the implementation of President Trump's executive order to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border
"The people who know the border the best, whether it's companies or lawmakers, both Republicans and Democrats, border communities, trade groups, economists, and law enforcement officials, all agree that building a wall is unnecessary, impractical, ineffective, and a complete waste of time and taxpayer money," said Rep. Lujan Grisham. "This bill protects taxpayers by stopping the funding for a wall that is not needed and from any other attempts by the President to fund similar orders."
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the leadership of the Congressional Quad-Caucus – which is composed of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) – issued statements condemning President Donald Trump's recent executive orders, which were directly targeted at the immigrant community. President Trump signed executive orders that enable the construction of a border wall, increase funding for detention centers on the border, cut federal funding to sanctuary cities and various other anti-immigrant actions. Quad-Caucus leaders issued the following statements:
CHC Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01):
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) issued statements in response to President Donald Trump's executive orders on immigration and the border:
Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20):
"The border wall is a lazy and ineffective security strategy. In fact, recent polls show that 59 percent of the American people disagree with building a wall along our nation's southern border. The wall could cost up to $25 billion to construct – that's American taxpayer money that could be used more effectively elsewhere, like in our schools or on crumbling roads.
"These orders are bad for our economy, for our communities, and for our nation's overall security strategy."
Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ):
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) was joined by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA-12), House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD-05) and other members of the House Democratic leadership for a press conference in response to President Trump's inaugural remarks. CHC members, led by Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham, called out President Trump for using anti-immigrant rhetoric that is un-American. Below are some of the statements issued by CHC members following the press conference:
CHC Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham released the following statement in response to President-Elect Trump's final nominee to his Cabinet:
"Mr. Trump's decision to exclude Hispanics from serving in his Cabinet is inexcusable and deeply damaging to our representative democracy. The President-Elect has dangerously signaled that the people who advise the President do not need to represent all of America.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Congressional Tri-Caucus – which is composed of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) – sent a letter [link to our letter] to President Barack Obama, thanking him for growing the diversity of the nation's parks and public lands through the Antiquities Act. The Tri-Caucus Chairs also emphasized their commitment to defending those achievements so that the country's parks and monuments can continue to reflect America's diverse history.
Washington, D.C. — Today the Congressional Hispanic Caucus hosted a press conference inside the Capitol to talk about the impact of repealing the Affordable Care Act, particularly in the Hispanic community. Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) and numerous members of the Caucus shared stories about working men and women whose lives have been saved thanks to their access to healthcare.
Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement welcoming the newest CHC members to the 115th session of Congress:
"It gives me great pride to welcome the eight new members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to what is expected to be a challenging session of Congress. I look forward to working alongside our entire caucus to pursue policies that serve the best interests of the Hispanic community and Americans everywhere. The Caucus is committed to passing immigration reform and upholding the idea that Hispanic families have a right to healthcare, affordable education and economic opportunity. Each new CHC member brings a unique story and a fresh perspective to our important work in Congress."
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New Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members:
Washington, D.C. — Today the Congressional Hispanic Caucus announced the addition of two key staff members, Alma Acosta and Javier Hernandez. Acosta will serve as the Caucus' new Executive Director and Hernandez is coming on board as the Caucus' spokesperson and Communications Director. Under the leadership of Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01), the CHC will advocate for an agenda in Congress that benefits the Hispanic community and America at large.