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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today the Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee within the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing highlighting the need for bold immigration reform. Following the hearing, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) released the statement below:
"The Congressional Hispanic Caucus thanks Judiciary Committee Chair Nadler and Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee Chair Lofgren for holding this critical hearing today to highlight the importance of immigration reform," said Chairman Ruiz. "The CHC will continue to work closely with Chair Nadler, Chair Lofgren, and our two incredible CHC leaders, Senator Menendez and Congresswoman Sánchez, to pass big and bold immigration legislation for immigrants once and for all."
WASHINGTON, D.C.—On January 20, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a memorandum setting forth interim enforcement priorities that went into effect on February 1, 2021. Today, Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) sent a letter to Secretary Mayorkas urging DHS to suspend deportations for individuals that may not have been afforded due process and to ensure those individuals receive a full opportunity to have their claims heard. The letter also urges DHS to adhere to interim enforcement priorities until revised priorities are developed and implemented.
WASHINGTON—The Biden Administration has authorized $1.3 billion in aid for Puerto Rico to help protect against future climate disasters. Restrictions on another $4.9 billion are being eased. The move comes more than three years after Hurricane Maria devastated the island. In response to the announcement, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) and CHC Members Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09), Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) issued the following statement:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Thursday, Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) sent a letter to the National Governors Association (NGA) urging governors to follow CDC guidance in distributing vaccines to food and agriculture workers to help eliminate Latino health inequities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Mayorkas will be the first immigrant and first Hispanic to lead the department. Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) released the following statement in reaction to his confirmation:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Saturday, over 100 Democratic lawmakers sent a letter led by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to express their commitment to including a pathway to citizenship for essential workers, TPS holders, and Dreamers in the COVID-19 budget reconciliation package.
WASHINGTON—Today, President Joe Biden signed four executive actions to confront systemic racism and advance racial equity. The executive actions will direct the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to take necessary steps to redress racially discriminatory federal housing policies that have contributed to wealth inequality for generations. The executive actions will also end the Justice Department's use of private prisons, recommit the federal government to Tribal sovereignty, and will take steps to combat discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders that has intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) released the following statement in reaction to the issuance:
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) voted to appoint Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) to the Board of Trustees of the National Museum of the American Latino. Congressman Cárdenas helped shepherd the bill through the House which was included in the spending package last year.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) welcomed Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) to the CHC. Senator Padilla marks history in becoming the first Hispanic to serve California in the U.S. Senate. Though Hispanics comprise nearly 40 percent of California's population, the state has never been represented by a Hispanic in the United States Senate. Chairman Ruiz released the following statement as he welcomed Padilla to the CHC:
WASHINGTON — Today, January 20th, 2021, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) released the following statement after two-thirds of CHC Members voted to endorse H.R. 335 – Legal exception necessary to appoint Lloyd J. Austin III as President-elect Biden's Secretary of Defense:
"Congressional Hispanic Caucus members are encouraged to support granting Secretary of Defense designate Lloyd J. Austin III the legal waiver necessary for him to be confirmed as President-elect Joe Biden's Secretary of Defense. Secretary-designate Austin has been retired from the military for more than four years, but an exemption from Congress is necessary to become Secretary of Defense for anyone who has been separated from active-duty military service for fewer than seven years.