May Network News

National Hispanic Construction Alliance (NHCA) Launches in Los Angeles

The NHCA, supported by NAHREP?, launched its inaugural chapter in Los Angeles to support Latino-owned construction businesses and workers. With Latinos comprising 27.7% of U.S. construction workers, the new chapter aims to address labor shortages and boost Latino participation in the industry. The Los Angeles Chapter Board includes leaders from the construction and finance sectors to guide its mission and provide members with educational resources and career advancement opportunities.

Latinos Shine in 2024 Pulitzer Prizes

Four Latinos were awarded Pulitzer Prizes for their exceptional contributions to journalism and literature:

• Silvia Foster-Frau and Arelis Hernández (Washington Post) won for National Reporting for their examination of the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle.
• Brandon Som received the Poetry prize for his collection "Tripas: Poems," celebrating his Chicana and Chinese American heritage.
• Cristina Rivera Garza won for Memoir/Autobiography with "Liliana's Invincible Summer," blending memoir and investigative journalism.
• Médar de la Cruz won for Illustrated Reporting and Commentary with "The Diary of a Rikers Island Library Worker" in The New Yorker.

Latino Voter Mobilization Campaigns for 2024

Telemundo launched Decisión 2024, a voter engagement initiative, and a coalition is targeting newly naturalized citizens in key swing states. The Hispanic Federation and TelevisaUnivision are mobilizing Latino voters through registration drives, workshops, and phone banks. Five organizations announced a $50 million investment in this year’s election, highlighting the critical role of Latino voters.

Key Data:

• U.S. Latinos account for 14.7% of all eligible voters in November 2024.
• An estimated 36.2 million Latinos are eligible to vote this year, up from 32.3 million in 2020.

Immigration's Growing Importance to the U.S.

The U.S. added 3.3 million immigrants last year, with another 3.3 million expected in 2024. Immigrants are essential for economic growth, filling labor shortages, and boosting the working-age population. By 2042, all U.S. population growth will be due to immigration, which will counteract the aging native-born population. This influx helps maintain a robust labor force and supports economic stability.

Andrea Vidaurre Wins Goldman Environment Prize

Andrea Vidaurre received the Goldman Environment Prize for her advocacy with the People’s Collective for Environment Justice. She has highlighted the impact of pollution in California’s Inland Empire, leading to new zero-emission standards for fleet vehicles in the state. Vidaurre’s work has brought attention to the region’s poor air quality, affecting over a thousand warehouses and millions of residents.

Latin Music Awards Outshine American Music Awards

The Latin American Music Awards (AMAs) drew more viewers than the American Music Awards, reflecting the growing influence of U.S. Latino culture. The bilingual broadcast featured performances and speeches in both English and Spanish. Latin music revenue surged 27% year-over-year to over $1.4 billion in 2023. Notable winners included Becky G as Artist of the Year and Karol G & Shakira for Song of the Year.

Women’s Foundation of Colorado Honors Latina Executives

The Women’s Foundation of Colorado awarded grants to 14 Latina executives leading various organizations. Since 2021, the foundation has granted $2.5 million to women and nonbinary leaders of color, supporting gender, racial, and economic equity. These grants empower leaders to continue their vital work in diverse communities across Colorado.

Call to Extend Work Permits for Long-Term Immigrants

U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat and over 150 Latino officials urged President Biden to extend work permits to long-term immigrants, including undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens and Dreamers. This initiative garnered support from key stakeholders, including business leaders and directly impacted individuals.

Testimonials:

• Sol Trujillo, Co-founder of L'ATTITUDE, emphasized the economic benefits of this policy: "I’m going to talk as a businessperson, who has run businesses and competed all over the world. The one issue we have is we have a deficit of workers, but we have a great cohort of workers, which are mixed status families, immigrants in total, and it’s our competitive advantage compared to countries around the world."
• Nora Sandoval, a Dreamer and advocate, highlighted the importance of work permits for undocumented immigrants: "As a Dreamer, I know firsthand the struggles and challenges that our community faces. Extending work permits would provide stability and opportunities for individuals like me to contribute fully to society."

• A young student emphasized her aspirations: "I've grown up in this country, and I want to pursue my dreams without the fear of deportation. Extending work permits would open doors for young immigrants like me to pursue education and career goals."
• A father and community member stressed the need for stability: "My family's livelihood depends on my ability to work and provide. Work permits would allow me to support my family without the constant fear of being separated from them."

The policy is estimated to increase annual tax revenue by $13.8 billion and would provide significant local, state, and national economic benefits while promoting workforce integrity and social justice. President Biden is considering administrative action to expand access to work permits for the undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.

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