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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.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Last week, Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) met with Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, Chair of the White House COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force, to discuss recommendations on equity and to ensure Hispanic and immigrant communities are prioritized in the Biden Administration's COVID-19 relief efforts. CHC Members also met with HHS and CDC leaders who are working to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, including Dr. Rachel L. Levine, Assistant Secretary of Health; RADM Dr. Felicia Collins, Director of the Office of Minority Health; and Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, CDC Senior Lead on COVID-19 Data and Engagement.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On April 22, 2021, Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra and White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeffrey Zients listing further steps and recommendations that can be taken to better address COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccine equity in Hispanic and immigrant communities. The letter outlines actions that can be taken to reduce the barriers that Hispanic and immigrant communities face to receive these life-saving services, including a lack of reliable information in their languages, misinformation, and fear of deportations.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Tonight, President Biden delivered a Joint Address to Congress where he unveiled the American Families Plan and touched on key priorities of his administration. Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) released the following statement in response to the speech:

"Tonight, President Biden spoke directly to the highest aspirations of American families by delivering a vision of hope and optimism for our future," said Chair Dr. Ruiz. "The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is proud to see President Biden build on the success of the American Rescue Plan by extending key tax cuts, including the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, which will help lift millions more Hispanic children out of poverty.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), led by Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA), and the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), led by Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), released a new report that explores why immigrants are vital to the U.S. economy—both now (i.e. economic recovery) and in the future (i.e. economic growth)—despite being among the hardest hit by the health and economic effects of the coronavirus.