The 2007-2008 LULAC Legislative Platform

The 2007-2008 LULAC National Legislative Platform was adopted by the LULAC National Assembly on July, 2007, at the 78th LULAC National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. The platform outlines the official policy positions of the League of United Latin American Citizens, the oldest and largest Latino membership-based civil rights organization in the United States.  LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health, and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through advocacy and community-based programs through its network of 600 local councils and centers nationwide.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
LULAC supports equal opportunity for employment, promotion and contracting, and opposes discrimination of any form in the workplace and supports affirmative action as a set of positive steps that employers use to promote equal employment opportunities. LULAC remains committed to fighting efforts to overturn decisions that have upset affirmative action programs across the country..

CENSUS AND DATA COLLECTION
LULAC continues to support the use of statistical sampling in Census decisions to ensure the most accurate count of all peoples possible. LULAC supports the use of adjusted census figures for redistricting purposes as well as for the distribution of federal funds for states. LULAC urges the Census Bureau to maintain information gathered completely confidential and not share it with other government agencies, including the DHS. LULAC also calls on the Census Bureau to include the residents of Puerto Rico in population reports as part of the total count of Hispanics in US territory. LULAC opposes efforts to prevent the collection of data based on race and ethnicity.

CHILD LABOR AND THE EXPLOITATION OF MINORS
LULAC strongly supports ending child labor through education and by supporting the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) international programs to eliminate child labor worldwide. LULAC opposes the exploitation of children working anywhere for low wages and under hazardous conditions, such as poisoning from picking fruits and vegetables covered with pesticides, damaged eyesight from continuous complex work like weaving, or physical abuse. LULAC deplores any and all exploitation of minors, whether psychological, physical, political, or sexual. LULAC is a strong supporter of the efforts regarding Missing & Sexually Exploited Children by potential predators.

CITIZENSHIP AND VOTING
LULAC promotes active participation of all eligible Hispanics in the democratic process by registering to vote and voting, and encourages all legislative, judicial and educational efforts to promote voter participation and advocacy. LULAC urges the extension of the Voting Rights Act due to expire in 2007. LULAC encourages all eligible immigrants to become US citizens and demands that the Bureau of Immigration and Citizenship Services expedite the processing of citizenship applications pending in a backlog for up to two years or more. LULAC aims to assure that voters’ rights are safeguarded on election-day by preventing potential voting rights violations, such as intimidation at the polls, unworkable voting equipment, and other civil rights violations..

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM
LULAC advocates reform of the criminal justice system to reduce the disproportionate number of Latinos who are incarcerated in the criminal and juvenile justice systems. LULAC supports reform of the court system to ensure fair sentencing guidelines that do not discriminate among race or socio-economic backgrounds. LULAC opposes the incarceration of youth in adult prisons and supports preventive education and social programs to reduce incarceration and recidivism. LULAC supports the repeal of legislation harmful to Latinos to redress disparate treatment of minorities, such as the elimination of the death penalty. LULAC also supports ensuring that statistical data of inmates in the state and federal prison systems is gathered for Hispanics/Latinos, of any race.

DEFICIT REDUCTION
LULAC opposes the growing deficit in the federal government and supports efforts to lower it through sensible fiscal management and economic stimulus that favors all people equally. The federal government should support states in their efforts to reduce state deficits by contributing fiscally to their attempts to secure the population at large from public safety hazards, such as terrorism, and improve education and health care services.

DISCRIMINATION AND RACIAL PROFILING
By exposing discrimination, LULAC encourages a public discourse and educates the public on issues relating to Latinos. We denounce any form of discrimination on the basis of national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, age or disability. LULAC strongly condemns racial profiling, and supports a strong statutory definition of racial profiling along with the institution of data collections systems by law enforcement. LULAC is concerned with the growth of hate groups and encourages Congress to strongly monitor agencies and their enforcement of hate-crimes law. LULAC opposes any effort to amend the US Constitution in any manner that reduces protection of any individual’s rights on the basis of national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, age or disability.

DRIVER LICENSES
LULAC supports legislation to grant licenses to immigrants under any status. LULAC supports innovative provisions for the issuance of a license such as passing a criminal background check, endorsement by a citizen, or requiring a pledge by immigrants to apply for legal residency. LULAC opposes any legislation that would place immigrants at risk by highlighting their status.

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
LULAC supports an expansion of American empowerment and enterprise zones in communities along the border with Mexico. LULAC urges companies and government agencies to embrace diversity in all aspects of business, whether employment, promotion, or contracting, as well as to support representation of Hispanics at all levels, from day-to-day management and governance to the boardroom. LULAC encourages the expansion of federal programs and policies that provide federal funds to stimulate business, job growth and training, and opportunities for venture capital.

EDUCATION
LULAC believes that education is the basis for lifelong success, and strongly opposes any measure that denies education as a fundamental right, including that of immigrant children. School curricula and textbooks should reflect the diversity of Hispanic heritage positively, be historically accurate, be language appropriate, and culturally sensitive. LULAC supports legislation targeted at decreasing the Hispanic dropout rate and urges Congress to implement targeted programs to encourage Hispanic students to remain in school. Federal funding for LULAC National Education Service Centers (LNESC) should be continued so as to address the specific needs of our community, as well as to expand into areas not currently served. Federal funding for Head Start, Migrants and Seasonal Head Start, Gear Up, TRIO, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), HEP-CAMP, Title I and Title III programs should be increased and access should be expanded to ensure high participation of Latino children. Funding for Title I and Title VII programs should also be increased to address adult basic educational programs and bilingual education. LULAC strongly opposes vouchers. All Latinos should have access to safe, quality and desegregated public education. Public schools should be improved and rehabilitated, and be provided with adequate funding to do so. LULAC supports full-funding of the No Child Left Behind Act. LULAC strongly supports the Student Adjustment Act and the DREAM Act. LULAC urges all states to pass laws that allow undocumented immigrant children who have completed high school, are of good moral character, and reside in the state to be admitted to colleges and universities as residents and eligible for in-state tuition. LULAC also urges the federal government to grant these students citizenship after they graduate from college or university. LULAC opposes college entry exams as the sole or primary determinant in admissions processes and supports instead multiple factors as the key to admission. LULAC opposes high stakes testing. LULAC supports an increase in funding for Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) of higher education. LULAC supports an increase in the number of Latino educators at all levels of education, administrators and school board members, as well as teacher training and development programs to encourage Latinos to become teachers .

ENGLISH PLUS
LULAC strongly opposes all legislation that designates English as the official language of the United States or of any individual state. LULAC supports bilingual education to ensure English proficiency while encouraging students to retain proficiency in their native language. English language acquisition is imperative, but bilingualism and multilingualism are assets to be valued and preserved. LULAC advocates that English language learners shall receive an equal quality academic education with equal quality materials as native English-speaking students. Such education shall be provided by properly credentialed teachers. LULAC supports increasing programs and funding for ESL for adult students.

ENVIRONMENT
LULAC opposes the practice of locating environmentally damaging or dangerous sites in Hispanic and other disadvantaged communities, and opposes the disposal of nuclear, chemical waste or other toxic waste in or near Hispanic communities. LULAC supports a border buffer to prevent the creation of hazardous waste sites on either side of the US-Mexico border, and encourages the clean up of “brownfields” (contaminated sites) in Hispanic neighborhoods. LULAC supports the Clean Air Act to reduce emissions that are harmful to Latinos of all ages and opposes any effort to loosen its regulations placed on the coal-burning power plants in the United States.

FARMWORKERS, MIGRANT AND SEASONAL WORKERS
LULAC supports the National Farmworker Jobs Program (WIA 167) and requests that the program remain a critical part of the 2005 U.S. Department of Labor’s budget. LULAC also urges Congress to pass legislation that protects farm workers from employer abuse, while guaranteeing them safe working conditions, housing, and access to schooling and training, especially as relates to any new guest worker programs that may be considered for passage by Congress, which on principle LULAC opposes. Former Bracero workers who had 10 percent of their earnings withheld from their paychecks should have those funds returned to them and their families immediately. LULAC therefore opposes the expansion of agricultural guest worker programs that do not provide adequate labor rights protections, health benefits and housing. LULAC supports a national holiday honoring Cesar Chavez and commemorating the contributions of farm workers to the United States. School curriculum should include an historical perspective of the farm worker struggle and community service in his honor.

FOREIGN RELATIONS
LULAC promotes higher Hispanic employment in the US State Department and the United Nations and other international agencies. Latino perspectives should be included in the formulation of policies towards Latin America. LULAC urges a strengthening of partnerships with Latin America, in particular greater collaboration between the government of Mexico and LULAC. LULAC urges the US government to include Latin American nations as partners for the war on terrorism and the creation of multilateral agreements on such important cross-border issues as health, labor, education, immigration and sustainable economic development. Although LULAC supports trade and economic integration with Latin America, it is imperative that trade agreements should be equitable and balanced. Because of the failure of current trade agreements to reach this threshold, LULAC supports efforts to renegotiate trade agreements to raise the standards of living for labor and protect our environmental standards so as to reduce displacement of workers and consequent mass migration. LULAC supports efforts to grow sustainable economic development programs in Latin America and the Caribbean, along with social development programs .

HATE CRIMES
LULAC urges Congress to pass laws that provide stronger sentencing and more aggressive prosecution for hate crimes. The federal government’s role should be expanded in the prosecution of hate crimes by being allowed to assist state and local efforts to prosecute a broader scope of hate crimes.

HEALTH
Universal health care is a priority for Latinos that includes affordable and accessible primary, preventive, and emergency room health care that is culturally competent. Latino mothers should have access to pre-natal care and children must have access to immunization, prescription medications, as well as substance abuse education. LULAC urges pharmaceutical companies and medical research facilities to increase the inclusion of Latinos in their clinical trials. LULAC urges greater awareness among health care providers of the disparities in the health care system and the elimination of bias and stereotyping of Latino patients. LULAC also advocates patient education programs to increase patients’ knowledge about diseases disproportionately affecting Latinos, such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s and HIV/AIDS, and how to best find health care and participate in the treatment process. LULAC advocates growing awareness about proactive health care through programs about the impacts of smoking and how to quit. LULAC strongly opposes any efforts that would require hospital emergency room employees to check on the immigration status of all patients and report any who are undocumented to the federal government for deportation. LULAC also urges an expansion of insurance coverage for children in poverty, as well as increased funding for programs to promote self-esteem and prevent teen pregnancy. Because of the disproportionate number of Hispanics who are uninsured and under-insured, LULAC strongly urges the creation of a universal health care coverage plan that insures all people in an equitable manner. LULAC also encourages Congress to take into account different trends and gaps in medical care expenses, such as prescription drug coverage, and pass legislation to improve access to care. LULAC supports the expansion of state and federal funding for mental health and mental disabilities programs.

HISPANIC REPRESENTATION
LULAC promotes public service and strongly supports Executive Order 13171 to increase the representation of Hispanics in federal employment. We urge the administration to work closely with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to ensure that Hispanic employment data is gathered by the Interagency Task Force so as to remedy the under-representation of Hispanics in government. LULAC urges the US Senate to provide a level playing field for Hispanic judicial nominees so as to ensure that Hispanic representation in the judicial system increases proportionally to the numbers of Latinos in the general population. LULAC supports the use of statistical sampling data in redistricting processes across the country to counterbalance undercounts in the Hispanic community so as to increase the likelihood of greater Hispanic political representation.

HOUSING
LULAC supports the expansion of affordable housing and increased funding for policies that create government-sponsored matching funds. LULAC opposes discriminatory and predatory lending practices and supports the strengthening of fair housing legislation to hold banking institutions accountable for fair lending practices. LULAC supports the improvement of quality of life for areas known as “colonias” along the US-Mexico border with such basic amenities as access to potable water and electricity. LULAC supports increasing funding and affordable housing programs for seasonal and migrant farmworkers.

IMMIGRATION
LULAC opposes any legislation that threatens the rights of immigrants, criminalizes them or those who provide them assistance, and harms Latino communities. LULAC opposes harsh regulations that toughen the requirements for citizenship and stipulations that raise the bar of admissibility for immigrants. Immigrant visas should not be unreasonably withheld. Legal residents and naturalized citizens should have the same benefits due native-born citizens. LULAC opposes the militarization of the border and vigilante attacks on immigrants, as well as the mistreatment of immigrants in the United States regardless of their status. LULAC supports the regularization of undocumented workers in the United States by periodically updating the Date of Registry, the reinstatement of Section 245(i) to allow immigrants to remain with their families while their applications are processed, along with the restoration of Food Stamps for legal immigrants. LULAC supports citizenship for America’s non-citizen troops. LULAC supports strong family reunification standards and fair and balanced immigration processes to take into account future flows of workers. LULAC urges Congress to pass wage protection for immigrants, as well as to mitigate the Hoffman decision. Though LULAC does not support guest-worker programs, should they pass, LULAC endorses full worker protections including the right to organize and to apply for citizenship on their own right without depending on their employer. LULAC opposes the use of local law enforcement to assist the DHS .

LATINO YOUTH
LULAC opposes cuts that might lead to the disappearance of important At Risk Youth Programs and after school programs nationwide, such as the 40 percent cut proposed for the 2005 federal Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant, which funds probation mental health, drug treatment and gang-prevention and after-care programs. LULAC supports programs that focus upon modifying lifestyle behaviors by promoting increased knowledge about health, physical activity and nutrition.

MEDIA
LULAC strongly advocates for the increase of Hispanic-oriented programming in all facets of the media and demands that more high-level decision-making positions be made available to Hispanics at major media companies and networks. Programs should provide a positive and accurate portrayal of cultural breadth of Latinos and their contributions to the United States. LULAC encourages the FCC to require broadcasters to provide better Latino programming and representation in prime-time slots throughout the day as part of their public service obligations. LULAC strongly advocates for the enhancement of emergency preparation communications that are currently inadequate for the Spanish- speaking populations of the United States. It is critical to ensure adequate preparation of written and audiovisual materials in Spanish for dissemination prior to, during, and after emergency conditions. LULAC also acknowledges that Latino children are an exponentially growing population in California, Texas, and Florida and in metro areas of other states. LULAC supports Children’s programming that acknowledges that the Latino population and cultures are an integral part of US society.

OIL PRICE STABILITY
LULAC is concerned about the stability of oil prices and its impact on oil workers, many of whom are Hispanic. LULAC supports state and federal efforts to stabilize the price of oil and prevent the displacement of Hispanic oil field workers and federal tax incentives to domestic oil producers to reduce dependency on foreign oil. LULAC is in support of a federal energy policy that encourages the development of alternative fossil fuel and other environmentally friendly energy sources. LULAC opposes drilling for oil on federal lands, especially in those areas deemed necessary to the ecological well-being and quality of life of its inhabitants and neighbors.

PUERTO RICO
LULAC reaffirms its strong support of legislation that provides a congressionally recognized framework for the four million US Citizens living in Puerto Rico to freely express their wishes regarding their options for full self government.

SENIORS
LULAC strongly advocates for programs and legislation to protect the quality of life of Latino seniors, for fair cost housing, transportation for those with special needs, in home care, employment opportunities, and the reduction of elderly abuse and fraud. LULAC seeks a reduction of costly prescription drugs and a streamlining of Medicare prescription drug coverage.

SOCIAL SECURITY
LULAC opposes the privatization of Social Security and any tax cut plan that would compromise its future stability. Individual accounts and tax cuts should not be substituted for Social Security’s currently defined system. LULAC supports stronger benefits for lower income groups, women, and the disabled.

WELFARE REFORM
LULAC supports fair welfare reform that acts as a safety net for those who need assistance for valid reasons. Reform should encompass providing bilingual job training, funding for child care, an increased minimum wage and job opportunities to meet the needs of urban and rural welfare recipients, with reasonable time limits and individual review, and monitoring to ensure they do not increase poverty. LULAC opposes benefit cuts previously afforded to legal immigrants, and strongly advocates the restoration of benefits to legal immigrants and children.

WOMEN’S RIGHTS
LULAC strongly supports legislation that would guarantee pay equity for women, strong penalties for sexual harassment, and support for women who file complaints against their employers. LULAC supports the expansion of leadership development programs for women of all ages and encourages more Latinas to run for public office. LULAC strongly supports programs to protect women and their children from domestic violence and sexual abuse, and strong penalties for abusers that include but are not limited to community service, appropriate time in jail and mandatory anger management training. LULAC strongly supports equity in health care for women to require that most health and disability insurance contracts which cover prescription medication must also cover prescription contraceptives. LULAC is concerned with the ongoing findings that Hispanic women fare worse in health and health care than other populations of women and strongly encourages better access to health benefits, literacy, and improved doctor-patient relationships. LULAC demands that the United States and Mexico work together to resolve the issue of the murdered women of Juarez..

WORKER’S RIGHTS
LULAC strongly supports the rights of working men and women to organize under the law and form labor unions dedicated to continuing the struggle for equality, social and economic justice. LULAC supports extending the benefits of a bountiful society for all workers, without regard to age, sex, race, nationality or creed, and to improve the working and living conditions of all workers worldwide.