Fernanda Figueroa 🥑
LightNews LightNews
banner
fernandafigs.bsky.social
Fernanda Figueroa 🥑
@fernandafigs.bsky.social
72 followers 110 following 67 posts
“Unapologetically Latina”| Fluent in all things geek
a "communist demon" as deemed by the trolls
Journalist @apnews.com covering Latino Affairs
prev. @USNavyReserve, @AustinAmericanStatesman
tips and hate mail to ffigueroa@ap.org
Posts Replies Media Videos
fernandafigs.bsky.social
@votolatino.bsky.social criticizes House for ignoring health crisis and voting 'yes' on budget bill

LIVE UPDATES: apnews.com/live/donald-...
Voto Latino criticizes House for ignoring health crisis and voting 'yes' on budget bill BY FERNANDA FIGUEROA On Wednesday evening the House voted on a budget bill that ended the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Voto Latino leaders said the House "choose to ignore the health crisis millions of Americans are facing" when it voted on a budget bill that they claim will jeopardize the health of Latino communities by failing to fund subsidies provided by the Affordable Care Act that make health coverage more accessible. "Latinos are already left behind when it comes to accessing health care coverage," Voto Latino leaders said in a statement. "With lawmakers choosing to turn a blind eye to this reality, these disparities will only grow, and families will be pushed to make difficult decisions when it comes to seeking medical attention."
November 13, 2025 at 6:48 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
With the US House expected to vote on bill that will end government shutdown,
@votolatino.bsky.social urges House to vote 'no'

LIVE UPDATES: apnews.com/live/donald-...
Voto Latino urges House to vote 'no' on bill that will end government shutdown BY FERNANDA FIGUEROA Voto Latino leaders said they strongly oppose the bill that will end the longest shutdown in U.S. history, claiming it will jeopardize the health of Latino communities by failing to fund subsidies provided by the Affordable Care Act that make health coverage more accessible. "The bill before the House of Representatives does not live up to the urgent needs of our families - it offers neither sufficient safeguards nor meaningful investments to protect access to health care," Voto Latino leaders said in a statement. "Voto Latino calls out the U.S. House of Representatives to exercise its responsibility to the American people and specifically the Latino and immigrant communities by voting no on this budget bill in its current form."
November 12, 2025 at 9:21 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
This Veteran's Day @lulacorg.bsky.social urges VA to accelerate benefit reform to help Latino Veterans

LIVE UPDATES: apnews.com/live/donald-...
LULAC urges VA to accelerate benefit reform to help Latino veterans The League of Untied Latin American Citizens is urging Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs and state governments to accelerate benefit reform that would expand health access, strengthen suicide-prevention outreach for veterans and invest in culturally responsive support for Latino veterans and families. LULAC National vice President for Military Affairs, Lawrence Romo said Veterans Day serves as a standing promise that the U.S. government will "stand by its defenders long after the battles have ended." "Latino veterans have never hesitated to serve," Romo said. "Now the nation must ensure that they receive benefits, strong mental health support and real pathways to rebuild their live. Anything is less unacceptable."
November 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
NEW: @hispaniccaucus.bsky.social and the Hispanic Federation have launched efforts to 'overhaul ICE'
Congressional Hispanic Caucus launches effort to ‘overhaul ICE’ By MATT BROWN “I think that they should be restructured totally. This is urban warfare—what they’re doing is unacceptable,” Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said in a statement. The caucus, which includes all Hispanic Democrats in Congress, will develop a framework alongside the Hispanic Federation and other advocacy groups to “restore accountability, protect civil rights, and ensure that no community lives in fear of those sworn to serve them,” said Espaillat. The framework focuses on reform, oversight and transparency efforts at Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Some progressive Democrats, including some Hispanic Caucus members, have called for the abolition of ICE. The Congressional Hispanic Conference, which consists of all Hispanic Republicans, in June urged the Trump administration to focus enforcement efforts on violent criminals instead of “individuals who do not constitute an immediate threat to public safety.”
November 3, 2025 at 9:29 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
Hispanic Heritage Month at White house postponed

LIVE UPDATES: apnews.com/live/donald-...
White House postpones event for National Hispanic Heritage Month By CHRIS MEGERIAN The president was expected to host a gathering Thursday afternoon. However, it’s been postponed because of the government shutdown, according to a White House official who wasn’t authorized to comment publicly on the matter.
October 2, 2025 at 4:28 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
Hispanic groups criticize use of sombrero memes in government shutdown fight

A reminder that Hispanic Heritage Month runs through Oct. 15

LIVE UPDATES: apnews.com/live/donald-...
Hispanic groups criticize use of sombrero memes in government shutdown fight By FERNANDA FIGUEROA In a joint response, the Hispanic Federation, the Latino Victory Foundation, League of United American Citizens, Mi Familia Vota, UnidosUs and Voto Latino said the AI videos and memes are distracting the public from the issue at hand and perpetuating Latino stereotypes. “Targeting the Latino community is not only irresponsible — it is reprehensible and beneath the office of the presidency,” the joint statement said. “The troubling use of AI to amplify hateful stereotypes is not only reckless, but it serves as an act of disinformation designed to further stigmatize Latinos when the tensions facing the community driven by policy and rhetoric are at an all-time high.”
October 2, 2025 at 4:28 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
“The sombreros will continue until the government reopens"

A reminder it is Hispanic Heritage Month till Oct. 15

LIVE UPDATES: apnews.com/live/donald-...
White House says video attacks on Democrats will continue until they reopen the government By FERNANDA FIGUEROA “The sombreros will continue until the government reopens,” White House Deputy Communications Kaelan Dorr said in a post on X sharing a video of House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries that was previously shared during a White House press briefing Wednesday. What started with a video of Jeffries wearing a sombrero with mariachi music in the background as he delivers a fabricated rant has turned into a trolling campaign led by Republicans. On Wednesday evening, the official GOP X account and Sen. Ted Cruz’s personal account shared various versions of the sombrero meme. Cruz’s post depicts various images of Democrats in sombreros and mustaches while playing an altered version of the 1990’s Latino hit “Macarena.” In his post, Cruz said, “The 44 senate Democrats who voted for Schumer’s Shutdown should know that the Sombrero posting will continue until they re-open our government. Hey Macarena.”
October 2, 2025 at 4:27 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
Attending my first NAHJ (National Association of Hispanic Journalists) representing @apnews.com with a great group of AP journalists.
@morelatinosinnews.bsky.social
Visit us at booth 213 to meet the team. Learn where our global news organization is headed and how you can be a part of it. #NAHJ2025
July 9, 2025 at 11:37 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
Leaders from @lulacorg.bsky.social @weareunidosus.bsky.social
@votolatino.bsky.social warn that the passage of President Donald Trump’s big bill will harm many working families, especially those in the Latino community.
LIVE UPDATES: apnews.com/live/donald-...
National Latino organizations condemn passage of tax and spending cut bill By FERNANDA FIGUEROA Leaders from LULAC, Unidos US and Voto Latino warn that the passage of President Donald Trump’s big bill will harm many working families, especially those in the Latino community. “This bill sends one message loud and clear — if you are Latino, working-class, or undocumented, you are not welcome here,” said Juan Proaño, Chief Executive Officer of LULAC in a statement. “It guts our nation’s moral fabric by placing walls, weapons, and fines where there should be help, hope, and humanity.” Unidos US President and CEO Janet Murguía said in a statement the U.S. House of Representatives turned their back on the American people. “Members of Congress who passed this bill have once again betrayed the trust of their constituents — including the Latino community — and chosen cruelty over common sense. All to supercharge a cruel and ineffective deportation machine that is sowing chaos across our nation.” Voto Latino President and Co-Founder Maria Teresa Kumar said the bill is a disgrace and a clear representation of Republican priorities. “Once again, Republicans have made it loud and clear: their agenda is out of step with the needs of working-class Americans. They ought to be ashamed for having acted recklessly in fast-tracking this harmful bill to meet their self-imposed deadline.”
July 3, 2025 at 7:11 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
National Latino organizations: @weareunidosus.bsky.social @votolatino.bsky.social @lulacorg.bsky.social
criticize Supreme Court ruling

apnews.com/live/supreme...
National Latino organizations criticize Supreme Court ruling BY FERNANDA FIGUEROA Share 凸 Leaders from LULAC, Voto Latino, Unidos US, and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials denounced the court's ruling, concerned about the effect it may have on birthright citizenship. "This ruling betrays our most fundamental promise: that every child born on U.S. soil is an American, period," said Roman Palomares, LULAC National President and Chairman of the Board said in a statement. "The Supreme Court may have chosen procedure over principle today, but LULAC will not stand by while babies born under our flag are stripped of their rightful place in our nation." Similarly, Voto Latino President and Co-Founder María Teresa Kumar said the decision gives the Trump administration more power to further its "extreme political agenda."
June 27, 2025 at 5:20 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
LULAC calls forceable removal of US senator a
'direct assault on our democracy'

apnews.com/live/donald-...
June 12, 2025 at 9:02 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
After 7 years, today marks my EOS from the U.S Navy Reserves.
Time went by like a flash, but it also didn’t (I enlisted at 17. I’m now 25.)

I’m thankful for my time in. But also thankful that I get to put the uniform away.

Goodbye.
March 23, 2025 at 2:47 AM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
Latino leaders disappointed by lack of solutions in Trump’s message, from me
For updates on all things Trump: apnews.com/live/trump-p...
Latino leaders disappointed by lack of solutions in Trump’s message By FERNANDA FIGUEROA Share Latino leaders said Trump’s address to Congress prioritized division instead. Trump had the opportunity to address the nation’s economic challenges but decided instead to emphasize policies that make life more difficult for working families, said a statement by Voto Latino. And UnidosUS president Janet Murguía said Trump repeated campaign rhetoric and blamed the previous administration instead of focusing on what is being done to help working class Americans. “The focus of the Latino community continues to be the economy and inflation, and we heard very little,” Murguía said.
March 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM