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WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) has formally endorsed the Vanessa Guillén Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act, which would reform the military justice system by moving the decision to prosecute serious crimes in the military from the chain of command.

In addition to tackling the serious issue of sexual assault in the military and holding service members accountable for their crimes, this legislation would address systemic barriers to justice for servicemembers of color. Black and Hispanic servicemembers are more likely than white members to be tried in general and special courts-martial in all military services, even when controlling for attributes such as rank and education. This is across every service of our military. Moving prosecution decisions to professionals could help to reduce this bias.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) sent a letter to congressional police reform negotiators Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Congressmember Karen Bass (CA-37) to share proposed policing reforms that would be particularly impactful to Latino communities.

"The reforms included in the House-passed version of the Justice in Policing Act, such as ending or limiting qualified immunity and banning chokeholds and no-knock warrants, have tremendous potential to keep our communities safer from police violence," the Members wrote. "As negotiations on a final bill continue, we want to highlight ways in which some of the proposed reforms would be particularly impactful for Latino communities:

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) has endorsed the bicameral Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, introduced by Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09), and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07). The legislation ends the use of private detention facilities and increases oversight, accountability, and transparency measures. Following the endorsement, CHC Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz released the subsequent statement:

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) has endorsed H.R. 454, the Protect Patriot Parents Act, introduced by CHC Member Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24). The Protect Patriot Parents Act would make parents of U.S. military service members eligible to adjust for Lawful Permanent Resident status without needing to leave the U.S. Following the endorsement, CHC Chair Dr. Ruiz and Rep. Carbajal released the subsequent statements:

Washington, D.C. — The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) has endorsed the bipartisan Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2021, introduced by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08). The bill is co-led by CHC Member Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Grace Meng, and Rep. Jeff Van Drew.

The Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2021 would launch a United States Commission on Hate Crimes composed of twelve people designated by Congress to investigate and produce recommendations on hate crimes-prevention techniques. The introduction of the legislation follows reports of record numbers of anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) hate incidents across the country. Following the endorsement, CHC Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz released the statement below:

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the Smithsonian Board of Regents announced appointments to the Board of Trustees for the forthcoming National Museum of the American Latino. Earlier this year, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) voted to appoint CHC Member Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) to the board after he helped shepherd the National Museum of the American Latino Act through the House of Representatives during the 116th Congress. Following the announcement of the Board of Trustees, CHC Chair Dr. Ruiz and Rep. Cárdenas released the subsequent statements:

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Members Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), the highest-ranking Latino in the U.S. Congress, and Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15) have introduced a bicameral resolution recognizing the month of June as Immigrant Heritage Month. Following the introduction, CHC Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) released the subsequent statement:

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) has endorsed H.R. 2922, the Elder Abuse Protection Act of 2021, introduced by CHC Member Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29). The Elder Abuse Protection Act would prevent elder abuse and exploitation and improve the justice system's response to victims in elder abuse and exploitation cases. Following the endorsement, CHC Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) released the subsequent statement: