Message from the President and CEO

Demanding Congressional Accountability for the Unlawful Attacks on our Community

Since the start of 2026, the pace of developments affecting our community has been relentless, beginning with a surge of excessive immigration enforcement actions in January. Like most Americans, we are sickened and outraged by the events that transpired in Minneapolis: Alex Pretti and Renée Good shot and killed in broad daylight, peaceful protesters assaulted, and children as young as 5 years old detained in the freezing cold and used as pawns by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The federal government is violating the rule of law with attacks on civil rights and using abhorrent tactics that include targeting and deporting children.

But thanks to the deeply consequential support of donors like you, we are pushing back on executive overreach in solidarity with our Affiliate Network, national partners and community members. In January, UnidosUS led a virtual press conference with 15 national civil rights and Latino leaders to call on the urgent need for congressional accountability. And I’m heartened that our collective pressure on Congress played what we believe to be an important role in the Senate’s blocking of an appropriations bill that would have bolstered DHS funding.

In February, I traveled to Minnesota to hear from our Affiliates impacted by ICE. Listening to community members, I was struck by the inhumane, cruel and lawless nature of ICE’s conduct and the devastating humanitarian and economic impacts. You can read more about my trip in the In Your Community section.

With what we’ve experienced this past year in Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland and Minneapolis, it feels like this administration has declared war on our community. Support for our Affiliates — who are on the ground confronting these direct assaults on Latinos and our allies — is a top priority for UnidosUS. Since 2024, we have held monthly calls with Affiliate leaders to update them on happenings at the federal level. We’re also sharing and developing resources to empower Affiliates, such as:

• Guidance on militarization and immigration enforcement, which offers messaging tips on localized National Guard deployments.
• The Peaceful Protest Toolkit, which delineates key points to consider for participating in peaceful protests.
• The Know Your Rights & Immigration Rapid Response Resource Guide, which consolidates resources on legal assistance, family preparedness plans, responses to immigration enforcement actions and more.

Thanks to your steadfast partnership and support, we can offer these resources and conduct on-the-ground visits to accurately assess community needs going forward.

Follow me on Instagram to see your impact in action!

Thank you!

Janet Murguía
President and CEO