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August 24, 2010
(Washington, DC) - The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) issued the following statement regarding the passing of Mario G. Obledo:
“Mr. Obledo had an impact on every Latino in the United States,” said Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. “He had the vision and dedication to cultivate the community’s political power by helping establish organizations like the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Hispanic National Bar Association, and the National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations. His work to increase Latino representation at all levels of our government and society created the foundation on which the CHC stands today, and for that we are eternally thankful.”
A trailblazer, Mr.

August 20, 2010
(Washington DC) – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) applauds President Barack Obama for his announcement that he intends to recess appoint Mari Carmen Aponte as U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador.
“Mari Carmen Aponte’s commitment and dedication to our country has colored her entire career,” said Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Chairwoman of the CHC. “Starting with her participation in the prestigious White House Fellows program under President Carter, where she worked to maintain safe, affordable housing options for all Americans, to her role as the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration where she served as a liaison between Puerto Rico and the mainland, representing our nation’s 4 million Puerto Ricans. There is no doubt in my mind that Ms.

July 28, 2010
(Washington, DC)- The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) applauds Judge Susan Bolton’s decision to enjoin Arizona from enforcing the four most concerning provisions of the Arizona S.B. 1070.
Specifically, Judge Bolton’s ruling prohibits Arizona from: requiring police officers to ask for proof of legal status while making arrests; making it a crime for an undocumented immigrant to solicit, apply, or perform work; authorizing the warrantless arrest of a person when there is probable cause to believe that person had committed a public offense punishable by deportation; and from making the failure to apply for or carry alien registration papers, a state crime.

July 6, 2010

(Washington, DC) - In response to the Department of Justice’s announcement that it has filed suit against the state of Arizona for its recently passed immigration law, S.B. 1070, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, issued the following statement:

“Immigration policy is a federal responsibility and with today’s challenge of Arizona S.B. 1070, the Department of Justice made it clear that state laws which violate the Constitution will not go uncontested. Our country needs a federal solution to this problem, not a chaotic hodgepodge of 50 different state immigration policies.Although S.B. 1070 sounds tough, it will do nothing to solve the problem and will foster a hostile environment for people of color and encourage racial profiling.


July 1, 2010

(Washington, DC)- Today, during a speech at American University, President Barack Obama laid out a strong case for comprehensive immigration reform. Calling on the nation to remember the millions of immigrants that broke their backs to build our country, he stressed that fixing our broken system not only makes us safer, but gives us an economic advantage in today’s global economy.


June 29, 2010

(Washington, DC) - Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) met with President Barack Obama who reasserted his commitment to pass comprehensive immigration reform.


“We were very encouraged to hear that the President will use his speech on Thursday, July 1, at American University to make the case for why comprehensive immigration reform is the only solution to our broken immigration system” said Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. “We stand with the President and will continue to work with him to pass a tough, fair and practical immigration reform. We expect Republicans to finally join us in supporting a real solution.”


June 18, 2010
Legislation would providegreater financing options for small businesses


(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the “Small Business Lending Fund Act,” aimed at aiding small businesses in obtaining affordable credit through new incentive that will encourage banks to increase small business lending. HR 5297 recognizes the changing landscape in our nation’s financial markets by providing support for state lending initiatives and creating an early stage investment program to give small firms access to equity financing.

May 21, 2010

Members Discuss Economic Development, Border Security, and Immigration Reform

(Washington, DC) – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus met today with Mexican President Felipe Calderón to discuss U.S.-Mexico relations, focusing attention on economic development, improving security on both sides of the border and working to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill. During the meeting, CHC Members underscored their opposition to the recently enacted Arizona law, SB 1070, and discussed the urgency in enacting a comprehensive immigration reform bill.


April 23, 2010

(Washington, DC) - Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), the Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, commented today on news that the Arizona Governor had signed into law SB1070:

“This shortsighted law is a step backward in our nation’s ongoing struggle to provide civil rights for all. This flawed law will do little to secure our border, but it will open the door to discrimination and racial profiling.

“Its enactment underscores the need to pass federal comprehensive immigration reform that keeps families together, strengthens our border security and promotes job growth. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus will continue its efforts to pass immigration reform this year.”

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April 21, 2010

(Washington, DC) – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) today applauded the Senate’s confirmation of the Honorable Marisa J. Demeo as Associate Judge for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Judge Demeo was nominated for the post by President Obama in March 2009 and was previously endorsed by the CHC for her experience and dedication to public service.

“Judge Demeo is an exceptional jurist, an accomplished legal talent and one of the Latino community’s rising stars,” said Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), the Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.