MALDEF (MEXICAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND)
@maldef.bsky.social
Founded in 1968, MALDEF is the nation’s leading Latino legal civil rights organization. Our commitment is to protect and defend the rights of all Latinos living in the U.S. and the constitutional rights of all Americans.
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MALDEF | The Latino Legal Voice for Civil Rights in America
MALDEF is the nation's leading Latino legal civil rights organization. Our commitment is to protect and defend the rights of all Latinos living in the United States and hthe constitutional rights of a...
maldef.org
🌟 Welcome to MALDEF's official Bluesky account! 🌟Since 1968, the MALDEF has been dedicated to protecting and expanding the civil rights of the Latino community through litigation, advocacy, and education. Join us to stay updated on our work and your rights. ✊🏽 Learn more at maldef.org
MALDEF recognized the contributions of three Latina leaders at its Los Angeles Awards Gala for their commitment to uplifting Latino culture and protecting the civil rights of the Latino community.
November 7, 2025 at 11:55 PM
MALDEF recognized the contributions of three Latina leaders at its Los Angeles Awards Gala for their commitment to uplifting Latino culture and protecting the civil rights of the Latino community.
MALDEF is intervening on behalf of undocumented students in Oklahoma to protect their access to regular tuition guaranteed by the state. Revoking this tuition policy could affect hundreds of undocumented students enrolled in public colleges and universities. www.maldef.org/x6ib
MALDEF SEEKS TO INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS TO DEFEND OKLAHOMA TUITION POLICY - MALDEF
MUSKOGEE, Okla. — A Latino civil rights organization filed a motion last week to intervene in a lawsuit that rescinded regular tuition for students without lawful immigration status in Oklahoma.
www.maldef.org
November 5, 2025 at 8:47 PM
MALDEF is intervening on behalf of undocumented students in Oklahoma to protect their access to regular tuition guaranteed by the state. Revoking this tuition policy could affect hundreds of undocumented students enrolled in public colleges and universities. www.maldef.org/x6ib
MALDEF is still standing up for Texas students who lost their regular tuition. We are challenging a federal district court ruling that denied immigrant students a chance to defend the Texas Dream Act. Read our opening brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: www.maldef.org/bnxt
October 30, 2025 at 11:40 PM
MALDEF is still standing up for Texas students who lost their regular tuition. We are challenging a federal district court ruling that denied immigrant students a chance to defend the Texas Dream Act. Read our opening brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: www.maldef.org/bnxt
Join us on Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Sofitel Los Angeles in Beverly Hills for MALDEF’s 2025 LA Awards Gala! 🎉 We will be honoring three exceptional Latina Leaders, secure your seat: www.maldef.org/554o
October 29, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Join us on Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Sofitel Los Angeles in Beverly Hills for MALDEF’s 2025 LA Awards Gala! 🎉 We will be honoring three exceptional Latina Leaders, secure your seat: www.maldef.org/554o
🎓 PSP provides parents with tools to improve their schools & communities. For more info visit: www.maldef.org/bgfc%E2%80%8B
October 27, 2025 at 9:55 PM
🎓 PSP provides parents with tools to improve their schools & communities. For more info visit: www.maldef.org/bgfc%E2%80%8B
MALDEF protects immigrant rights by challenging financial institutions that unlawfully deny DACA recipients access to financial services based solely on immigration status. This is the 2nd time MALDEF has taken legal action against the Washington-based credit union STCU. www.maldef.org/ik1a
MALDEF CHALLENGES SPOKANE CREDIT UNION FOR VIOLATING WASHINGTON STATE LAW BY DISCRIMINATING AGAINST DACA RECIPIENTS - MALDEF
PASCO, Wash.– A Latino civil rights organization is challenging, for a second time, the discriminatory policies of a Spokane, Washington-based credit union for unlawfully denying DACA recipients finan...
www.maldef.org
October 25, 2025 at 5:09 PM
MALDEF protects immigrant rights by challenging financial institutions that unlawfully deny DACA recipients access to financial services based solely on immigration status. This is the 2nd time MALDEF has taken legal action against the Washington-based credit union STCU. www.maldef.org/ik1a
Join MALDEF President & General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz and former MALDEF Board Member, President of Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, Lydia Camarillo at the Left Coast Forum this Saturday Oct. 25th from 11:15am-12:15pm! www.maldef.org/0wko
Left Coast Forum 2025
Get ready for a progressive gathering of West Coast thinkers, activists, and changemakers at Left Coast Forum 2025!
www.maldef.org
October 25, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Join MALDEF President & General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz and former MALDEF Board Member, President of Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, Lydia Camarillo at the Left Coast Forum this Saturday Oct. 25th from 11:15am-12:15pm! www.maldef.org/0wko
The Daily Journal's article "Celebrating the rising leaders of California's legal community" honors the outstanding work of MALDEF's Western Regional Counsel, Ernest Herrera, and his dedication to advancing Latino civil rights nationwide. www.maldef.org/vgrl
October 24, 2025 at 11:43 PM
The Daily Journal's article "Celebrating the rising leaders of California's legal community" honors the outstanding work of MALDEF's Western Regional Counsel, Ernest Herrera, and his dedication to advancing Latino civil rights nationwide. www.maldef.org/vgrl
An extremist group submitted a petition to the federal government to require proof of citizenship for federal voter registration. MALDEF opposes this effort, which could create barriers for millions of eligible citizen voters - including Latino voters. Read our formal comment: www.maldef.org/atrl
October 22, 2025 at 3:58 PM
An extremist group submitted a petition to the federal government to require proof of citizenship for federal voter registration. MALDEF opposes this effort, which could create barriers for millions of eligible citizen voters - including Latino voters. Read our formal comment: www.maldef.org/atrl
Late former President & General Counsel of MALDEF (1982-1985), Joaquin Guadalupe Avila, is being honored as a Legacy Honoree by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for his lifelong civil rights advocacy protecting the voting power of racial & ethnic communities nationwide. www.maldef.org/rikr
Joaquin Guadalupe Avila
Joaquin Guadalupe Avila was a lawyer and civil rights advocate who helped break down barriers that kept Hispanic Americans from voting, getting jobs, and going to school. Avila received a B.A. degree ...
www.maldef.org
October 21, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Late former President & General Counsel of MALDEF (1982-1985), Joaquin Guadalupe Avila, is being honored as a Legacy Honoree by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for his lifelong civil rights advocacy protecting the voting power of racial & ethnic communities nationwide. www.maldef.org/rikr
MALDEF is coming to Seattle! Recently, friends and allies gathered in Seattle, Washington, to hear about the planned opening of our Northwest Regional Office and to spotlight our ongoing efforts to protect voting rights, promote educational equity, and defend immigrant communities nationwide.
October 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM
MALDEF is coming to Seattle! Recently, friends and allies gathered in Seattle, Washington, to hear about the planned opening of our Northwest Regional Office and to spotlight our ongoing efforts to protect voting rights, promote educational equity, and defend immigrant communities nationwide.
MALDEF President & General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz discussed our defense of the Texas Dream Act, which pioneered regular tuition rates for undocumented students. Since this interview, we have filed an appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. www.maldef.org/3dku
Austin InSight | Dreamers and Tuition | Season 2025 | Episode 38
Texas ends its pioneering tuition policy for Dreamers. Advocates and an impacted student speak out.
www.maldef.org
October 6, 2025 at 11:39 PM
MALDEF President & General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz discussed our defense of the Texas Dream Act, which pioneered regular tuition rates for undocumented students. Since this interview, we have filed an appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. www.maldef.org/3dku
In June, the DOJ sued Texas over its Dream Act, which allows immigrant students to qualify for the same regular tuition rate as most other students at Texas public colleges. MALDEF President & General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz explains why we are appealing a court decision to defend the Texas law.
October 6, 2025 at 6:34 PM
In June, the DOJ sued Texas over its Dream Act, which allows immigrant students to qualify for the same regular tuition rate as most other students at Texas public colleges. MALDEF President & General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz explains why we are appealing a court decision to defend the Texas law.
⚖️ MALDEF continues in federal court following the Wednesday start of a hearing to challenge Texas’s attempt to push forward mid-cycle redistricting maps. Learn more: www.maldef.org/8fk8
Federal court to hear case challenging Texas’ new congressional map ahead of midterm elections | Houston Public Media
In a case that figures to have national ramifications, civil rights groups argue the state’s mid-decade congressional redistricting plan amounts to racial gerrymandering, making it unconstitutional. T...
www.maldef.org
October 2, 2025 at 11:26 PM
⚖️ MALDEF continues in federal court following the Wednesday start of a hearing to challenge Texas’s attempt to push forward mid-cycle redistricting maps. Learn more: www.maldef.org/8fk8
Parties in the Texas-led challenge to DACA filed court-ordered briefs on possible next steps in the case. MALDEF has been fighting to preserve DACA since 2018. Read a statement from our President & General Counsel, Thomas A. Saenz, on the recent filings: www.maldef.org/r4ez
October 1, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Parties in the Texas-led challenge to DACA filed court-ordered briefs on possible next steps in the case. MALDEF has been fighting to preserve DACA since 2018. Read a statement from our President & General Counsel, Thomas A. Saenz, on the recent filings: www.maldef.org/r4ez
On Sept.8, the Supreme Court granted a stay pending appeal in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo. In a 6–3 decision, an injunction was lifted, allowing immigration enforcement practices in L.A. to resume during the appeal. Read our explainer of Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s opinion www.maldef.org/Resources
Resources - MALDEF
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www.maldef.org
September 22, 2025 at 5:24 PM
On Sept.8, the Supreme Court granted a stay pending appeal in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo. In a 6–3 decision, an injunction was lifted, allowing immigration enforcement practices in L.A. to resume during the appeal. Read our explainer of Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s opinion www.maldef.org/Resources
⚖️ California just took a historic step. With Gov. Gavin Newsom signing SB 627, banning extreme masking by law enforcement— putting transparency, accountability, and safety first. The No Secret Police Act was sponsored by MALDEF, Prosecutors Alliance Action, and IC4IJ. www.maldef.org/lhn9
CALIFORNIA GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM SIGNS BILL BANNING EXTREME MASKING BY LAW ENFORCEMENT - MALDEF
LOS ANGELES – California Gov. Gavin Newsom today signed into law the No Secret Police Act, or SB 627, a landmark measure that prohibits local and federal law enforcement officers from concealing their...
www.maldef.org
September 20, 2025 at 10:03 PM
⚖️ California just took a historic step. With Gov. Gavin Newsom signing SB 627, banning extreme masking by law enforcement— putting transparency, accountability, and safety first. The No Secret Police Act was sponsored by MALDEF, Prosecutors Alliance Action, and IC4IJ. www.maldef.org/lhn9
Recent arrests of DACA recipients under the current administration are raising serious concerns. Legal protections for immigrants brought here as children are being violated nationwide. MALDEF President & General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz weighed in on this issue: www.maldef.org/3v16
Recent DACA arrests raise alarm among legal advocates
A group counts at least 18 cases where recipients of the DACA program have been deported or are at risk of being deported after being detained by immigration authorities.
www.maldef.org
September 20, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Recent arrests of DACA recipients under the current administration are raising serious concerns. Legal protections for immigrants brought here as children are being violated nationwide. MALDEF President & General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz weighed in on this issue: www.maldef.org/3v16
Looking for money for college? Check out MALDEF’s updated 2026-2027 Scholarship Resource Guide; many are offered regardless of immigration status: www.maldef.org/qjeb
September 17, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Looking for money for college? Check out MALDEF’s updated 2026-2027 Scholarship Resource Guide; many are offered regardless of immigration status: www.maldef.org/qjeb
🎙️ MALDEF’s Thomas A. Saenz joined Tim Miller on @thebulwark.com to discuss the Supreme Court’s ruling on ICE racial profiling in LA and our case on behalf of Job Garcia — a U.S. citizen unlawfully detained by ICE. Watch the podcast episode here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m20U...
Trump’s Hedge Fund Defenders Are Full of It (w/ Stephanie Ruhle & Tom Saenz) | Bulwark Podcast
YouTube video by The Bulwark
www.youtube.com
September 11, 2025 at 5:35 PM
🎙️ MALDEF’s Thomas A. Saenz joined Tim Miller on @thebulwark.com to discuss the Supreme Court’s ruling on ICE racial profiling in LA and our case on behalf of Job Garcia — a U.S. citizen unlawfully detained by ICE. Watch the podcast episode here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m20U...
Lea la declaración de MALDEF sobre la decisión de la Corte Suprema de permitir que ICE utilice el perfil racial en Los Ángeles. El presidente de MALDEF, Thomas A. Saenz, condena el fallo, afirmando que pone en peligro a las comunidades latinas. www.maldef.org/xxa3
Truenan contra "peligrosa" decisión del Supremo que permite arrestos migratorios con base en perfil racial - El Diario NY
Denuncian que el fallo se traducirá en mayor erosión de la confianza pública en las autoridades y en más discriminación racial
www.maldef.org
September 10, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Lea la declaración de MALDEF sobre la decisión de la Corte Suprema de permitir que ICE utilice el perfil racial en Los Ángeles. El presidente de MALDEF, Thomas A. Saenz, condena el fallo, afirmando que pone en peligro a las comunidades latinas. www.maldef.org/xxa3
Redistricting should strengthen democracy and ensure fair representation; Texas’ mid-cycle redistricting undermines these principles. MALDEF remains committed to challenging racial gerrymandering wherever it occurs. www.maldef.org/ym7i%E2%80%8B
September 9, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Redistricting should strengthen democracy and ensure fair representation; Texas’ mid-cycle redistricting undermines these principles. MALDEF remains committed to challenging racial gerrymandering wherever it occurs. www.maldef.org/ym7i%E2%80%8B
Read MALDEF’s statement on today’s Supreme Court decision to allow ICE to use racial profiling in Los Angeles. MALDEF Pres. Thomas Saenz condemns the ruling, saying it endangers Latino communities and violates constitutional rights. Read the full statement: www.maldef.org/1wjz
September 8, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Read MALDEF’s statement on today’s Supreme Court decision to allow ICE to use racial profiling in Los Angeles. MALDEF Pres. Thomas Saenz condemns the ruling, saying it endangers Latino communities and violates constitutional rights. Read the full statement: www.maldef.org/1wjz
The Trump administration is pushing to end in-state tuition for undocumented students nationwide. But California’s AB 540 law provides a stronger defense against the administration’s efforts, MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas Saenz tells LAist. www.maldef.org/6z5d
Trump is pushing to end in-state tuition for undocumented students across the country. How will California respond?
When President Donald Trump took office in January, nearly two dozen states allowed their respective undocumented students to pay in-state college tuition. That number is quickly diminishing.
www.maldef.org
September 4, 2025 at 8:25 PM
The Trump administration is pushing to end in-state tuition for undocumented students nationwide. But California’s AB 540 law provides a stronger defense against the administration’s efforts, MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas Saenz tells LAist. www.maldef.org/6z5d
MALDEF is asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit for an en banc review to rehear a case challenging an Arkansas law that limits who can assist voters, including those who need language assistance. MALDEF continues to fight for the voting rights of all. www.maldef.org/002n
September 2, 2025 at 6:24 PM
MALDEF is asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit for an en banc review to rehear a case challenging an Arkansas law that limits who can assist voters, including those who need language assistance. MALDEF continues to fight for the voting rights of all. www.maldef.org/002n