A Victory for Educational Opportunity, Latino Families, and the Future of Virginia Virginia LULAC proudly celebrates the October 5, 2026, federal court decision upholding the Virginia DREAM Act, a landmark law protecting access to higher education for qualifying immigrant students across the Commonwealth. Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ruled in favor of the Commonwealth, rejecting a legal challenge b

From Nicaragua to Fairfax City: A Story of Public Service, Workers' Rights, and Latino Representation Virginia LULAC is proud to spotlight Virginia LULAC member María José Padmore, a longtime advocate for Latino communities, labor rights leader, public servant, and candidate for Fairfax City Council in the November 3, 2026 election. For more than two decades, María José has called Fairfax City home. Her journey from Nicaragua to Northern Virginia reflects the experiences of i

Years of Advocacy, Leadership, Compassion, and Service to the Latino Community This Hispanic Heritage Month, Virginia LULAC proudly celebrates the remarkable individuals whose lives, experiences, sacrifices, and contributions have helped shape the history of our Latino community across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Inspired by Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors, our Hispanic Heritage Month theme reflects a powerful truth: the beauty and strength of our community come not from

This Hispanic Heritage Month, Virginia LULAC celebrates A Coat of Many Colors, recognizing the cultures, identities, experiences, talents, and stories that together make up Virginia's Latino community. A coat is not made from a single thread, and our community cannot be represented by a single story. Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, we are highlighting Latinos across Virginia who represent the many colors of our community. Artists and educators. Veterans and students. Advo

ARLINGTON, Va. — Virginia LULAC extends its sincere gratitude to the Arlington County Board for committing $50,000 to provide emergency financial assistance to Arlington households that have lost a primary wage earner as a result of recent federal immigration enforcement activity. The program will allow qualifying families to receive up to $2,000 in emergency assistance to help meet basic needs during a period of sudden financial hardship. For Virginia LULAC, this investment

Virginia LULAC believes that public office is a public trust and that government exists to serve all people, not the political interests of any individual elected official. We are deeply concerned by the allegations involving Manassas City School Board Member Sara Brescia and Manassas City Public Schools employee Michael Gramajo, a Latino and member of the LGBTQ+ community. Gramajo has publicly alleged that Brescia approached him during a June 1 event at Baldwin Elementary Sc

Virginia LULAC is frustrated and angered that Temporary Protected Status for approximately 170,000 Salvadorans is set to expire on September 9, 2026, threatening the ability of thousands of longtime residents to continue living and working legally in the United States. Approximately 170,000 Salvadorans living in the United States under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are facing the expiration of their protections on September 9, 2026, putting their ability to legally work an

Virginia LULAC is horrified and deeply disturbed by reports concerning the treatment of José Mejía during an encounter with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and by the serious questions surrounding his ability to receive necessary medical care afterward. On August 11, Mejía Hernandez was walking to work in Arlington when, according to his account, he was approached by two individuals whom he did not initially know were federal immigration agents. Mejía Hernandez says

ARLINGTON, VA — Virginia LULAC applauds and congratulate the Arlington County Board for unanimously strengthening Arlington's Trust Policy, reaffirming the County's commitment to protecting immigrant families, strengthening public trust, and ensuring that every resident can engage with local government and access essential services without unnecessary fear. On May 13, 2025, the Arlington County Board voted unanimously, 5-0, to strengthen "Arlington's Commitment to Strengtheni

Virginia LULAC mourns the passing and honors the extraordinary life of Robert “Bob” Garcia, a stalwart advocate for civil rights, a dedicated LULAC leader, an educator, a veteran, and a lifelong champion for Virginia’s Latino community. Bob passed away peacefully at his home in Arlington, Virginia, on August 20, 2026, at the age of 84. Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Bob built a life defined by service, compassion, and a deep commitment to helping others. For Virginia LULA

Virginia LULAC is outraged and deeply disturbed by the conduct of federal immigration enforcement officers operating in our communities and by the growing fear these operations are creating among Virginians. Federal law enforcement has a responsibility to enforce the law, but that responsibility does not give any agency unlimited authority to intimidate, threaten, or endanger the people it is sworn to serve. On August 10, 2026, Carolina Molina, a U.S. citizen, Northern Virgin

Virginia LULAC is heartbroken by the devastating earthquake that struck Colombia and the tremendous loss of life, injuries, displacement and destruction it has caused. Our hearts are with the people of Colombia, the families who have lost loved ones, those still searching for family members and friends, and every community now facing the difficult road toward recovery. On August 10, 2026, a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, with its epicenter near S

T Virginia LULAC is proud to recognize one of our own, Roberto Maldonado Jr., a proud Virginia LULAC member, dedicated educator, United States Air Force veteran, community leader, and candidate for Manassas Park City Council. Born in New York City and raised in the South Bronx to a proud Puerto Rican family, Roberto has devoted his life to one calling: serving others. His story is one of courage, sacrifice, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to building stronger communi

Virginia LULAC is proud to recognize one of our own, Helen Zurita, a longtime community advocate, trusted ally of the Latino community, running for the Manassas City Council. For many years, Helen has stood alongside Latino families throughout Manassas and Prince William County. She has earned the trust and respect of the community not through words alone, but through years of unwavering service. When families have faced hardship, uncertainty, or barriers to accessing help, H

Virginia LULAC is deeply disturbed by reports and video footage depicting the arrest of Victor Perez Martin by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers outside the Sentara BelleHarbour campus in Suffolk, Virginia, on July 6, 2026. According to public reporting and statements made by Mr. Perez Martin's attorney, the arrest involved the use of significant physical force, raising serious questions about whether that force was necessary, reasonable, and consistent

Virginia LULAC is deeply saddened by the tragic shooting death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston, Texas. Mr. Salgado Araujo was far more than a headline. He was a husband, a father, a hardworking construction professional, and a respected member of his community who spent decades working to provide a better future for his family. By all accounts, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo embodied the values of hard work, family, and perseverance. His family shared that he spent more than thr

Today, Virginia LULAC proudly celebrates one of our own, longtime member, community leader, and dedicated advocate Yesy Amaya, on her appointment to the Virginia Latino Advisory Board. This appointment reflects years of unwavering service, principled leadership, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of Latino families throughout the Commonwealth. Councilwoman Amaya has established herself as one of Northern Virginia's most respected voices for community engagement and

Virginia LULAC is proud to spotlight one of our members, Douglas Mejia, who is running for a seat on the Herndon Town Council in the November election. Born and raised in Herndon, Virginia, Douglas is the bilingual son of immigrant parents whose upbringing instilled in him a deep appreciation for community service, compassion, and civic engagement. From a young age, he recognized the importance of giving back and has spent much of his life serving others. Douglas began his jo

Virginia LULAC was proud to attend the 2026 LULAC National Convention in Fort Worth, Texas, joining thousands of LULAC members, community leaders, elected officials, advocates, and partners from across the United States. What began as an opportunity to represent Virginia quickly became an inspiring reminder that we are part of a movement much larger than ourselves, one dedicated to advancing civil rights, educational opportunity, civic engagement, and service to Latino commun

Virginia LULAC celebrates Governor Abigail Spanberger, the Virginia General Assembly, and legislative leaders for reaching a budget agreement that demonstrates the power of collaboration, compromise, and democratic governance. The budget process this year became one of the most closely watched debates in Virginia politics, stretching for months and requiring a special legislative session before lawmakers reached a final agreement just days before the July 1 fiscal deadline. A