“This year’s National Hispanic Heritage Month takes on even greater significance, because of the relentless political attacks we have seen against the Latino community in the United States,” said Rep. Linda Sánchez, vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus and former chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in a new video marking the start of the celebratory month.
While DACA-eligible immigrant youth span nearly 120 nations, the greatest concentration were born in Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Now in the face of vehemently anti-immigrant and anti-Latino actions from this administration, Rep. Sánchez has used the first day of HHM to stand by and celebrate immigrant youth, who are American in every way but on a piece of paper:
“Just last week, the president rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program—leaving over 800,000 DREAMers under threat of deportation. This act by the president is just wrong. It’s cruel. And it contradicts who we are as Americans.
“Now more than ever, the Latino community has to stay strong and united. We will fight the president’s destructive agenda in Congress. Anti-immigrant rhetoric is anti-American. DREAMers are an intrinsic part of our nation—they pay taxes, they’re our friends and neighbors. They make our economy strong and robust, and if we lose them, our economy will be significantly crippled.”
“Hispanic Heritage Month is about pride for the Latino community’s achievements. But this year specifically, it is a time to recognize—with pride—the amazing achievements of our DREAMers, because they truly make our country great.”
Throughout the month long celebration, civil rights and immigrant rights advocates, community leaders and groups, elected leaders, and many others will also be lifting up the accomplishments of the U.S. Latino community, which numbers 57 million strong according to Pew Research Center. Voto Latino, a pioneering civic media organization that seeks to transform America by recognizing Latinos’ innate leadership, is also using the occasion to register voters through the “We Must Rise” campaign.
“RISE is a time to unite, resist, take action and engage in the political debate,” said Maria Teresa Kumar, president and CEO of Voto Latino. “Today, along with hundreds of organizations, we are laying the groundwork that will help us build momentum to mobilize and show the power of our vote at the polls in 2018.”
“Now more than ever, the future of our immigrant communities is in our hands – Latino and immigrant voters. With the power of our vote, we can push back against the discrimination and racist attacks we are witnessing. Together with this partnership we will rise up and drive a turnaround in 2018 by inspiring our communities to come out and vote for candidates who support the issues that matter to us,” said iAmerica President Rocio Sáenz.
Below, the video from Rep. Linda Sánchez, vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus, and a happy Hispanic Heritage Month to all.