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WASHINGTON — Eighty House Democrats and Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) led by Chairman Joaquin Castro are demanding the Trump administration safely and swiftly release all parents and children that are in immigration family detention centers by July 17. While there is ongoing litigation, the Trump Administration currently has the authority to release families from ICE detention together independently from any court orders. In a letter to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Wolf and Acting Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Albence, the Members of Congress denounced the Trump administration's use of the pandemic to implement cruel and inhumane policies toward immigrants, and urged ICE to seek alternatives to family detention and commit to a permanent policy of family unity.
Washington, D.C. — Leaders of the Congressional Tri-Caucus—composed of Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37), and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27)—sent a letter to Majority Leader McConnell and Democratic Leader Schumer urging the U.S. Senate to include H.R. 7027, the Child Care is Essential Act, and H.R. 7327, the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act, in the next coronavirus recovery package.
Washington, D.C. — Leaders of the Congressional Tri-Caucus—composed of Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37), and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27)—sent a letter to Congressional Leadership requesting that any educational funding provided by Congress in response to COVID-19 is combined with strong equity guardrails that will safeguard low-income students of color from their state's fiscal challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As low-income families continue to face job losses and poverty, we must come together to protect these vulnerable students, otherwise it will significantly impact the academic achievement and chances of success for students of color.
Washington, D.C. — Today members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus led by Chairman Joaquin Castro met with Vice President Biden to discuss issues of importance to the Latino community including the coronavirus crisis, record unemployment, and immigration reform. Chairman Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after the productive conversation:
"Today members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus had a productive conversation with Vice President Biden on the most pressing challenges confronting the Latino community, particularly health care and immigration reform, said Chairman Joaquin Castro, Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
WASHINGTON — Two dozen members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) led by Chairman Joaquin Castro are requesting a virtual meeting with the chief executive offcers of CoreCivic and GEO Group, the largest operators of private detention facilities.
"We have seen the number of coronavirus cases in ICE detention exponentially increase every week and multiple outbreaks have been reported in detention facilities," the Members wrote. "Since both CoreCivic and GEO Group are ICE's top operators of detention centers, we would like to request a virtual meeting with you and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Members at your earliest availability."
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), LULAC National President, Domingo Garcia, and LULAC National CEO will be meeting with Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy to demand that the Army support the call for the Defense Department Inspector General's Office to conduct a full and independent investigation into Fort Hood's handling of Vanessa Guillen's case. In addition, other cases of Latino soldiers who have reported sexual harassment and/or been victims of still unresolved homicides and other abuses are being presented to the Army.
Congresswoman Garcia and LULAC leadership will be hosting a press conference after their meeting with Army Secretary McCarthy.
Details for the press conference can be found below:
WHO: U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX)
Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) led a letter with 87 Members of Congress in support of Rep. Speier and Sen. Gillibrand's request for Sean O'Donnell, the Department of Defense (DoD) Inspector General, to conduct an independent investigation into Fort Hood's handling of Specialist (SPC) Vanessa Guillen's case. Rep. Speier serves as Chair of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee and Senator Gillibrand is Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Personnel of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Washington, D.C. —Leaders of the Congressional Tri-Caucus—composed of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37)—issued the following joint statement after the House Democratic Caucus voted to include aDiversity Rule in the Caucus rules that encourages Members to prioritize diversity and inclusion in hiring practices:
San Antonio, TX — Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after remains were identified as Vanessa Guillen's and in support of calls for justice:
"On behalf of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, we extend our deepest condolences to the Guillen family and loved ones for their loss. Vanessa was a 20-year-old, brave Latina solider with her whole life ahead of her. She did not deserve to die while serving her country.
"In the months since her disappearance, thousands of people across the United States, particularly Latinas, have spoken up about sexual harassment and assault in the military, echoing the allegations of the Guillen family. Their voices must be heard and listened to.
WASHINGTON — Over a dozen members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) led by Chairman Joaquin Castro are calling on President Trump to cancel his meeting with Mexican President López Obrador before the upcoming election, citing Trump's failures to contain the virus that's devasting Latino and border communities, and his cruelty with Migrant Protection Protocols.
"Your decision to hold a meeting when the Congress is not in session, when members of Congress will be in our districts addressing the needs of communities across the United States that have been devastated by this pandemic, is a blatant attempt to politicize the important U.S.-Mexico relationship along partisan lines," the Members wrote. "we strongly urge you to reconsider and cancel this meeting."