New UnidosUS Online Ad Takes Aim at Trump Administration, Congress for Policies Harmful to Latino Children

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 -- The National Council of La Raza issued the following statement:

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Today, UnidosUS (formerly NCLR), launched an online ad campaign highlighting the effects of harmful policies sponsored by the Republican-led Congress and the Trump administration that place the future of millions of children in jeopardy, in particular Latino kids. From lop-sided tax cuts that hurt working and middle-class families to looming cuts to safety net programs to separating families through harsh immigration policies, those who stand to lose most under these proposals are our nation's children.

"As the nation's leading Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization, we have been working tirelessly to defend and advance the community. This ad is meant to convey the immediate and long-term consequences of the Trump administration and Republican-led Congress's anti-child agenda that is placing our children's future at risk," said UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguia.

The GOP's tax giveaway to the rich and multi-million dollar corporations is the latest in what's become a growing list of anti-child policies. If the bill passes it would mean seven of every 10 Latino families would end up paying more in taxes each year, meaning less money for parents to provide for basic necessities including food and housing for their families. In addition to the economic implications of the GOP tax bill, a possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act's health care mandate, as contained in the Senate version, could also result in the loss of health insurance for 600,000 Latino kids. The Congress and the president have also failed to act to help the children of Puerto Rico, 60 percent of whom live in poverty, recover from the devastation of recent hurricanes. Further, Congress and the White House's inaction could also have dire consequences on another front. If a clean DREAM bill is not passed, 200,000 U.S. citizen children being separated from their parents.

"With the release of this ad today we want to make sure that policymakers and the public are on notice that these policies have devastating consequences for our nation's children. When you are talking about taking food out of the mouths of our youngest and most vulnerable populations or literally putting their lives at risk because they no longer have access to health insurance, you are not only hurting our children's future, but our nation's as well," concluded Murguia.

Link to the online ad: Our Children's Future is at Stake

UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza), is the nation's largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Through its unique combination of expert research, advocacy, programs, and an Affiliate Network of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico, UnidosUS simultaneously challenges the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos at the national and local levels. For almost 50 years, UnidosUS has united communities and different groups seeking common ground through collaboration, and that share a desire to make our country stronger. For more information on UnidosUS, visit www.unidosus.org