Immigrant Heritage

 

As Immigrant Heritage Month comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the people, stories, and sacrifices that have shaped our communities—and my own life.    My grandmother immigrated to San Antonio, Texas, as a young girl, carrying with her the same hopes that have inspired generations of immigrants: the opportunity to have a better life. Her courage, resilience, and determination helped create opportunities for future generations, including me and my twin brother. Her story is a reminder that behind every conversation about immigration are people, families, dreams, and contributions that help strengthen our communities and our country.  That lesson continues to guide me today.    It also helps explain why the Latino Community Foundation’s commitment to immigrant communities is so deeply personal.

Many members of our team carry immigration stories within our families and communities. We know firsthand the sacrifices that families make, the challenges they overcome, and the strength they bring to every corner of American life. Those experiences shape how we practice philanthropy. They shape how we advocate. And they shape how we lead.    Our commitment begins with love—love for our families, our neighbors, and the communities that have invested so much in this country.    That love has always informed our work, but it also demands action.    Since late 2024 and the latest wave of attacks against immigrant communities—including family separations, inhumane deportation practices, changes to work authorizations, and the weaponization of personal data—the Latino Community Foundation has invested $2.1M in immigrant rights, legal services, community protection efforts, and organizations serving immigrant families.    Earlier this year, we launched the Community Protection Fund, directly investing $600,000 to support organizations that are defending civil and constitutional rights, protecting families, building local response networks, and helping communities navigate an increasingly hostile environment.    We created this fund because it was authentic to who we are.    Because when communities we love are under attack, standing with them is not a strategic decision, but a moral one.    Our support extends beyond rapid response. Through our Power Accelerator programs, we are investing in the leadership, capacity, and long-term sustainability of immigrant-serving and immigrant-led organizations that are building both economic and civic power across Latino communities. These leaders are advancing opportunity, protecting rights, strengthening local institutions, and creating pathways for families to thrive.

Our commitment is also reflected in our policy agenda. In California and across the country, we advocate for policies that protect the rights and dignity of immigrant individuals and families, expand economic opportunity, strengthen democratic participation, and ensure Latinos are fairly represented in the decisions that shape our future.    This work is grounded in a simple truth: immigrants are not only part of America’s story—they are essential to its future.    As June comes to an end, our celebration of immigrant communities does not.  We remain committed to investing in their safety, their leadership, and their success. We remain committed to a future where every person is treated with dignity and humanity. And we remain committed to building a flourishing future where the power of immigrant communities is unleashed so our entire country can thrive.