Press Releases
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, June 15th, 2021, marks nine years since President Barack Obama announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, offering protections to millions of people known as "Dreamers" who were brought to the United States at a young age. The program does not offer Dreamers permanent protections or a pathway to citizenship.
Though DACA has survived for almost a decade, it is once again being challenged in the courts by Texas and eight other Republican states. In honor of DACA Day, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) released the following statement:
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) has endorsed H.R. 801, the Expanding Medical Education Act, introduced by CHC Member Rep. Jim Costa (CA-16). The Expanding Medical Education Act would provide $1 billion in funding for medical school construction, expansion, and training in underserved communities that lack quality access to quality healthcare. Following the endorsement, CHC Chair Dr. Ruiz and bill sponsor Rep. Costa released the following statements:
CHC Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36):
For Immediate Release
Thursday, June 10, 2021
Contact: Alma Acosta, alma.acosta@mail.house.gov
Washington, D.C. —Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) met with Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to discuss job creation and investments in communities, businesses, and workers across the U.S, especially within the Hispanic community. Following the meeting, CHC Chairman Dr. Raul Ruiz released the statement below:
"I would like to thank Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo for meeting with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) today. The pandemic has only exacerbated the economic disparities that Hispanic communities have faced for far too long.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Yesterday, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) met with Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh to discuss strengthening the rights and working conditions of workers, including OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards, the status of American Rescue Plan provisions—such as COBRA unemployment benefits—and the importance of having robust Latino representation across the Department of Labor's workforce. The meeting was chaired by Congressional Labor Caucus Co-Chair and CHC Member Linda Sánchez. Following the meeting, Rep. Sánchez released the statement below:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced plans to close the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia. Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) released the following statement after the announcement:
"The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) welcomes the announcement by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to close the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Irwin County Detention Center," said Chair Dr. Ruiz. "It is unacceptable and shameful that detainees received gynecological procedures without their informed consent and lived in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. The CHC will continue to advance the Biden Administration's pursuit of a professional, humane, and efficient immigration system."
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Members met with Vice President Harris to discuss the Northern Triangle. Following the meeting, CHC Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) released the statement below:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) called for the Senate passage of the Dream and Promise Act, following President Joe Biden's meeting with DACA recipients. Six Dreamers from across the country sat down with President Biden in the Oval Office today, including Leydy Rangel, National Communications Manager for the United Farm Workers, whose hometown is Coachella, California.
The Dream and Promise Act would allow Dreamers and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to contribute fully to the country they love and know to be their home by providing a pathway to citizenship.
Chair Dr. Ruiz
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) has endorsed the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act, introduced by CHC Members Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20).
The Citizenship for Essential Workers Act would provide a pathway to lawful permanent resident status and eventual U.S. citizenship for more than 5 million undocumented essential workers who have been a critical part of the COVID-19 response.
Following the endorsement, CHC Chair Dr. Ruiz and bill sponsors Sen. Padilla and Rep. Castro released the following statements:
CHC Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36):
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) met with Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg to discuss the American Jobs Plan and equity in transportation. Following the meeting, CHC Chairman Dr. Raul Ruiz released the statement below:
"I would like to thank Secretary Pete Buttigieg for meeting with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) to discuss the American Jobs Plan," said Chair Dr. Ruiz. "The pandemic has exposed and exacerbated existing racial and ethnic disparities. With the Biden Administration, we now have an opportunity to invest in underserved Hispanic communities as we work to build back better.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, on Cinco de Mayo, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz released the following statement: "Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus proudly recognizes Cinco de Mayo, the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla that took place on May 5, 1862," said Chair Dr. Ruiz. "The story of the Battle of Puebla is about courage, determination, resiliency, and overcoming the insurmountable.
"We have seen Hispanic families carry the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic while courageously stepping up, helping our country, and risking their lives as essential workers on the frontlines as farmworkers, meatpackers, caregivers, doctors, nurses—and more—to keep us safe, healthy, and fed.