Media

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) released the following statements in anticipation of the Pope's Address to Congress tomorrow. Last year, the Hispanic Caucus sent a letter to His Holiness, inviting him to speak before a joint session of Congress. You can view the letter here.

CHC Chairwoman Linda T. Sánchez: "We look forward to hearing Pope Francis speak on a number of issues important to Latinos and working families – from juvenile justice to comprehensive immigration reform and the need to protect our environment. His Holiness and the Hispanic Caucus share a commitment to fighting for justice and civil rights and we believe his message of compassion is one that is critically needed in Congress right now."

CHC Chairwoman Linda Sánchez released the following video in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs September 15 through October 15. To watch the video, click here:

FULL REMARKS

Hi, I'm Linda Sánchez, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Every Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the contributions that Latinos have made to our country.

The Latino community is young, vibrant, and diverse.

The average age of the Latino community is 27 years old.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, I have a special message for young Latinos: get involved. Become engaged in your community – whether it's interning for your Member of Congress or volunteering at an after-school program.

You as young Latinos have a voice that needs to be heard!

WASHINGTON – – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) will hold a press conference on Thursday, September 17^th. CHC Members will deliver a special message to the Latino community in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs September 15 through October 15. CHC Chairwoman Linda Sánchez will lead the press conference and will be joined by other Members of the Caucus.

September 17^th is also Citizenship Day.

WHO: Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus

WHAT: CHC Message to the Latino Community Press Conference

WHEN: Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. ET

WHERE: House Triangle, Located at the corner of New Jersey Avenue SE and Independence Avenue SE

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairwoman Linda T. Sánchez released the following statement on the ruling by U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee that family detention centers are in violation of the 1997 Flores vs. Meese settlement requiring immigrant children to be housed in the least restrictive environment.

"The federal ruling by U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee confirms what we've known for a long time now: family detention centers should be closed. It is unconscionable that we are imprisoning mothers and children who pose no risk to our national security. House Democrats and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus have been calling for the closure of these centers and we applaud Judge Dolly Gee's ruling. We hope this ruling will move us closer to finally stopping this inhumane treatment of immigrant families."

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Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairwoman Linda T. Sánchez released the following statement in anticipation of tomorrow's vote on H.R. 3009, the "Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act."

"The Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act or ‘The Donald Trump Act' is yet another attack on Latino and immigrant communities. This Congress we've seen numerous anti-immigrant bills and this legislation is yet another excuse to scapegoat our community. With this vote, House Republicans are running to embrace Donald Trump's racist and offensive views. Donald Trump should not be setting the agenda for the United States Congress.

Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Senate passed the Every Child Achieves Act (S.1177) to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) by a 81-17 vote. Due to the lack of substantive improvements to the underlying bill, the Congressional Tri-Caucus—which is comprised of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC)—maintains opposition to S.1177 and calls upon House and Senate leaders to make improvements as the reauthorization process moves forward. The Chairs of the Congressional Tri-Caucus issued the following statements:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) met with Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to discuss policy issues important to the Latino community. The Secretary requested a meeting to hear firsthand from Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members about our priorities. Today's meeting took place on Capitol Hill in an official capacity.

Washington, D.C. – Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Linda T. Sánchez and the CHC Education Task Force Co-Chairs, Congressman Rubén Hinojosa and Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva, released the following statements in opposition to today's H.R. 5 vote. The Elementary and Secondary Education Reauthorization Act guts education funding, weakens protections for disadvantaged students, does not provide a well-rounded education for all students, and does not support educators.