TO-DO LIST RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE The Problem: Although Latinos are overrepresented in several high-growth occupations, those occupations tend to pay below-median wages, leaving full-time workers unable to cover basic family needs. The Fight: The Senate recently blocked efforts to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour, which would benefit approximately 6.8 million Latinos.
ENSURE IMMIGRATION REFORM The Problem: Inaction on immigration reform is depriving the country of economic benefits and, combined with record-setting deportations, devastating communities nationwide. The Fight: April 16 marked the anniversary of the introduction of the Senate comprehensive immigration reform bill. The House of Representatives has failed to vote on the bill, which would add an estimated $1.5 trillion to the U.S. economy.
WHAT
DID
Helped secure a majority of Congressional Hispanic Caucus members to co-sponsor legislation that would boost the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour by 2016 Captured stories from leaders in the Latino community during the 2014 NCLR National Latino Advocacy Days, which were used to create NCLR’s Minimum Wage Truth-Telling video blog series Stood with leaders from the civil rights community during an April press conference to demand raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10
WHAT
DID
Organized 200 leaders from Latino nonprofit and civic organizations to cast a ballot for immigration reform outside the office of Eric Cantor (R–VA), reminding House Republicans that failing to act on immigration reform will have political consequences Called on President Obama to use executive authority to halt senseless deportations, including during NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía’s keynote address at the 2014 NCLR Capital Awards® gala Drove calls to the House Republican leadership to sign the discharge petition that would force a vote on an immigration bill
END SCHOOL BULLYING The Problem: Latino students are highly susceptible to bullying; their nationality, how they speak, and the color of their skin have been points of intimidation and physical violence in schools. The Fight: Congress has recognized the need to ensure student protections, drafting H.R. 1199, the “Safe Schools Improvement Act” (SSIA).
PROTECT HOMEOWNERSHIP The Problem: Latino homeowners were one of the hardest-hit groups during the financial crisis, losing two-thirds of their wealth during this time. The Fight: As Congress works to improve the national housing finance system, NCLR is working to ensure that low- and moderate-income families receive access to mortgage credit that is sustainable and affordable.
MOBILIZE TO VOTE The Problem: For nearly every Latino who votes, there is one who is not yet registered. Can you believe that? The Fight: Our collective voice can determine when and how issues are tacked in Congress. Now is the time to register as many eligible Latinos as we can.
WHAT
DID
WHAT
DID
Worked with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus as it voted to endorse SSIA, which would require schools to issue and enforce rules prohibiting bullying and order states to report data on bullying
Led hundreds of Latino leaders to push congressional members to keep homeownership affordable during the NCLR National Latino Advocacy Days Hosted a convening with other leading civil rights groups and Shaun Donovan, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to discuss housing finance reform Hosted the NCLR Latino Policy Summit in California, where we discussed the landmark California Homeowner Bill of Rights
WHAT
DID
Launched our Mobilize to Vote 2014 campaign Reached out to over two million eligible, unregistered U.S. citizens throughout the nation Led a session in April on how to develop and implement successful voter registration drives in California
URGENT! Donate to NCLR! Without you, we won’t be able check off our to-do list. Support these and other efforts to make a better future for America today.