Press Release

Chispa and LCV Statements on Trump’s Latest Comments on Birthright Citizenship

Washington, D.C. — In response to today’s remarks from President Trump on birthright citizenship following this morning’s decision from the Supreme Court in CASA v. Trump, Chispa  and the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) issued the following statements: “To be re-defining who is a citizen of the United States, regardless of this being enshrined in the 14th Amendment for over 150 years, is disheartening and discriminatory to many. There should not be a reason for us to be in this place as a country,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “Today’s decision upends the rule of law and imminently threatens birthright citizenship and our rights. We must do everything to protect our fundamental civil rights under the Constitution, including equal protection, due process, and the fact that all children born in the U.S. are American citizens, no matter the color of their skin or where their parents came from.” *** “Today, Trump made it clear he would continue to unconstitutionally abuse his executive powers,” said LCV Democracy Program Director Justin Kwasa. “Far-right justices on the Supreme Court have given up their responsibility to uphold the law and protect our Constitution by limiting the checks and balances fundamental for a free and fair democracy. As our democracy and our rights continue to be under attack by the Trump administration, it has never been more important for the courts to protect our constitutional freedoms from these chaotic and widespread abuses.” ###

Chispa and LCV Statements on Trump’s Latest Comments on Birthright Citizenship Read More »

ICYMI: Latino Communities Among Hardest Hit by Federal Funding Cuts, Environmental Panel Concludes During National Bilingual Conversation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 8, 2025 Contact: Elena Gaona Chispa, Climate Power en Accion, and TX Rep. Escobar outline impacts and solutions to clean air, health, household costs, clean energy, and good jobs for Latine families and neighborhoods   Washington, D.C. – During a national bilingual conversation hosted virtually by Chispa LCV on Wednesday, May 7th, Texas Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and environmental leaders from Chispa National, Chispa Texas, Chispa Nevada, Chispa Maryland, and Climate Power en Acción led a discussion about the impacts on Latino communities from the current gutting of federal programs that protect our clean air, clean energy, health, and household costs. Watch the recording and presentation materials here. This conversation took place as federal budget reconciliation negotiations continue in Congress. The sweeping reconciliation bill is slated to gut more essential programs and protections in one of the most anti-environmental bills in our nation’s history. The cuts threaten to worsen the climate, health, and cost impacts on Latino communities, who are experiencing severe health and climate impacts including extreme heat, asthma, bad air quality, and high electricity bills, speakers said. They discussed key programs, such as clean energy tax credits, programs that help families switch to clean energy appliances, Electric School Bus funding for cleaner transportation, and environmental protections that lower costs and protect health while fighting climate change. “The administration has begun to unilaterally undo decades of safeguards that protect our air, water, and public lands. They’ve worked to stop the transition to clean energy sources, kneecap the EPA, and lawlessly canceled billions in federal investments meant to help communities prepare for extreme weather events, reduce pollution, create jobs, lower costs, and slash climate pollution in half by 2030,” Rep. Escobar said. “Pushing back against these policies requires all of us.” “Our Latine communities are feeling multiple threats from rolling back the environmental progress we have made toward clean air, clean water, clean energy, and lower costs of living,” said Estefany Carrasco-Gonzalez, Chispa’s National Senior Director. “And even though they are gutting the most essential clean air and clean water protections for everyone, which are critical to life itself, Latino and communities of color will feel it the most. We want our community to know we can organize and build power to continue to push against these rollbacks, and our communities living with the impacts in their own neighborhoods are in the best position to do so.” “What the Trump administration is doing isn’t abstract—it’s recklessly hurting our communities,” said Antonieta Cádiz, Deputy Executive Director for Climate Power En Acción. “As we head into extreme weather season, Latino families are already facing higher energy bills and the threat of severe storms and extreme heat. These proposed cuts would leave our Latino communities even more exposed. Once again, Trump and Republicans in Congress are showing us who they really serve—it’s not the families living in flood zones or those struggling to cool their homes during the summer heat; it’s their wealthy donors and Big Polluters. If these cuts go through, our families will pay the price.” “We hear from many community members that they are deeply concerned about higher costs. Here in Nevada, utility bills have been going up and up over the last couple of years. We hear from many families who are having to make tough decisions. What can I pawn off this month so I can pay the basic utilities?” said Chispa Nevada Program Director Audrey Peral. “These are choices no family should have to make. But we have no other option. Because of climate change, Nevada has two of the fastest-warming cities in the country, so our summers are getting longer and extremely, dangerously hot. This makes air conditioning a necessity to survive, not a luxury. We can’t afford higher prices. Our community is organizing to fight back and defend the programs that save us money and reduce pollution.” The conversation also included remarks from Chispa Texas State Program Director Elida Castillo and Chispa Maryland Organizing Manager Morena Zelaya, as well as attendance from Chispa community members and environmental leaders from various states. ### About Chispa: Chispa is a program of the League of Conservation Voters and LCV Education Fund. Our mission is to build the power of low-income communities of color across the country to achieve climate justice, community health, and environmental protections while fighting for accountability from polluters and decision-makers.

ICYMI: Latino Communities Among Hardest Hit by Federal Funding Cuts, Environmental Panel Concludes During National Bilingual Conversation Read More »

On World Asthma Day, Chispa Delivers a Clear Message to Congress: Protect a Clean Ride for Kids

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 6, 2025 Latine Parents, Students, and Voters Called on Congress to Preserve Funding For Clean School Buses that Protect Children’s Health   [Washington, DC] — Today, World Asthma Day, Chispa LCV, Chispa Maryland, Chispa Nevada, and Chispa Arizona began delivering nearly 300 handwritten postcards and more than 1,460 personal messages and emails to their state elected officials with a clear message: Congress must protect clean school bus funding. As part of the budget reconciliation package, Congress could cut at least $2.2 billion in funding and additional tax credits for clean school buses and their charging stations. This puts clean air progress in our communities in jeopardy, because through the Clean School Bus Program and the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program, EPA has awarded $3.2 billion for more than 10,000 clean school buses at more than 1,200 school districts in every U.S. state and most territories. Our Latine children and all our children’s health is on the line. Cutting these programs would mean 20 million U.S. children riding dirtier, old diesel buses to school, increasing their likelihood of developing asthma and other heart and lung illnesses.  “Nearly half of the U.S. population lives with unhealthy levels of air pollution, the latest American Lung Association report shows, and a growing proportion of the population is exposed to ozone and particle pollution that puts their health at risk. This is really bad news for our Latine children who are already disproportionately affected by asthma,” said Estefany Carrasco-Gonzalez, Chispa Senior Director. “Our children deserve to breathe clean air, and that’s what federal programs for clean school buses have helped deliver for our families. By reducing kids’ exposure to diesel school buses, we are helping to prevent more children from developing asthma, having an asthma attack, or being hospitalized because of lung illnesses. We need Congress to protect this funding and protect our children’s health now.”  “Clean school bus programs have been very popular with school districts, with over 2,500 school districts nationwide choosing to apply for the program, including here in Maryland,” said Eliseo Magos, community organizer with Chispa Maryland, where they delivered close to 200 postcards and hundreds of emails. “Our families and our schools want this funding to modernize their fleets and provide a clean ride for their students. Cutting these programs would not only hurt public health, it would also hurt Maryland schools that want to bring the funding and bus improvements to our kids and our communities.”  Chispa Maryland community members writing messages to Congress to protect Clean School Bus funding. “I’d like to say that the air quality in Baltimore is really bad,” wrote student Abigail in one postcard to her Maryland Representatives. “Every little bit of clean transportation and help can make a difference.” Chispa LCV community members have been contacting their Members of Congress since February to protect clean school bus funding, after funding was unexpectedly frozen and then slowly haltingly restored. Today’s event was part of a national day of action hosted by the Alliance for Electric School Buses, a national coalition convened by Chispa, with events taking place throughout the nation. Across 17 states, parents, students, and voters began delivering more than 1,100 postcards with handwritten notes and 2,000 digital postcards to more than 31 Congressional offices. ###

On World Asthma Day, Chispa Delivers a Clear Message to Congress: Protect a Clean Ride for Kids Read More »

Chispa and LCV Statements on House Passage of SAVE Act

For Immediate Release April 10, 2025 Chispa Contact: Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org 202-907-9717 Washington, D.C. — In response to the House passage of the so-called SAVE Act, Chispa and the League of Conservation Voters (LCV)  issued the following statements: “After a week of economic chaos at the hands of our national leaders and millions of Americans protesting peacefully against this mayhem, the House is still deciding to mirror the disastrous and unconstitutional actions of the Trump administration. The House still insists on pushing the anti-voter SAVE Act, which is a transparent attempt to put up unnecessary barriers to voting for all eligible Americans by using prejudiced lies about immigrants,” said Art Terrazas, Chispa LCV Legislative and Policy Manager. “Tens of millions of American citizens don’t have the specific documents required under the SAVE Act – a passport or an original copy of their birth certificate when registering to vote or updating their voter registration in person. This will hurt military voters, tribal voters, rural voters, survivors of natural disasters, and tens of millions of married women in America who have changed their names. We urge Congress to reject the SAVE Act and focus instead on actions that will truly strengthen our elections and ensure that all eligible voters have access to vote instead of scapegoating immigrant communities.” *** “Just days after millions of people across the country turned out to protest Trump and his administration’s unconstitutional actions, the House wants to take away the voices of millions of Americans and their right to vote in free and fair elections,” said LCV Democracy Program Director Justin Kwasa. “Passage of the so-called SAVE Act would put financial burdens on voters and election offices, costing voters time and money to access their fundamental freedom to vote. Additionally, this anti-voter legislation would create unnecessary barriers on tens of millions of women and other eligible voters who have changed their names, elderly and rural voters, over a hundred million eligible voters who don’t have a passport, and millions of other eligible voters who deserve to have their voices heard at the ballot box.  We’ll continue to fight for our democracy, and applaud the vast majority of House Democrats who voted against this bill in addition to Leader Schumer and Senate Democrats for their critical commitment to block this massive attack on the American people’s freedom to choose our own leaders. We now call on all Senators to reject it.” ###

Chispa and LCV Statements on House Passage of SAVE Act Read More »

LCV and Chispa Statements on Legislation to Subvert Voting Rights

For Immediate Release April 1, 2025 Contact: Mika Hyer, mhyer@lcv.org, 940-783-2230 Chispa/En Español: Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org 202-907-9717 Washington, D.C. — In response to the House consideration of the SAVE Act, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa issued the following statements: “This anti-voter bill would keep millions of eligible citizens from voting across the country and imperil our fundamental right to choose our leaders,” said Senior Director of Judiciary & Democracy Doug Lindner. “The SAVE Act would intentionally make voting harder for huge numbers of eligible Americans — including tens of millions who changed their names when getting married, over a hundred million who don’t have passports, rural and elderly communities, military voters and people with disabilities, communities of color, and everyone who relies on registering to vote online, by mail, or anywhere other than an election office. Following Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional attempts to roll back the right to vote for millions of Americans across the country, Congress must reject this attack on our rights and protect our freedom to choose our own politicians.” *** “The SAVE Act would be disastrous for everyone’s voting rights in the U.S. It uses anti-immigrant disinformation to make it harder for every citizen to register to vote,” said Art Terrazas, Chispa LCV Legislative and Policy Manager.  “And this disturbing bill follows the overreaching, unconstitutional attempt by the President through his executive order to set a brand new set of rules for our elections. The President and Congress should take actions that will strengthen our elections and ensure that all eligible voters have access to the ballot box instead of scapegoating immigrant communities and proceeding with dangerous anti-voter actions. Our democracy is stronger when every eligible voter, regardless of color, party, income, or zip code, has equal access to the decisions that shape our future.” ###

LCV and Chispa Statements on Legislation to Subvert Voting Rights Read More »

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act Will Protect Voters’ Freedom to Vote

Washington, D.C.— In response to the reintroduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa issued the following statements: “Sixty years after Representative John Lewis was attacked on a bridge in Selma, Alabama, for demanding the right to vote, our fundamental rights, including our right to vote in free and fair elections, are under escalating attacks,” said LCV Democracy Program Director Justin Kwasa. “As the Trump administration, extremist Republicans in Congress, and far-right Justices on the Supreme Court attempt to roll back voting rights and prioritize the interests of Big Polluters and ultra-wealthy corporate CEOs over people in this country, it is critical that we protect every voter’s freedom to vote — no matter their race, income, or zip code. We urge Congress to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and other critical voting rights legislation, including the Freedom to Vote Act and D.C. Statehood.” *** “The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is needed now more than ever as our nation and communities face a ruthless assault on democracy, our civil rights, and our right to vote,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “Our democracy is stronger when all citizens can participate freely and fairly, not just a few. Instead, we have constant attempts – from voter suppression to disinformation – to justify trying over and over to take away the right to vote from eligible voters. The reintroduction of this bill is critical to protect our fundamental right to choose leaders to represent us.” ###   Source: https://www.lcv.org/media-center/the-john-r-lewis-voting-rights-advancement-act-will-protect-voters-freedom-to-vote/

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act Will Protect Voters’ Freedom to Vote Read More »

LCV and Chispa Arizona Statements on Passing of Representative Raúl Grijalva

For Immediate Release March 13, 2025 Contact: Mika Hyer, mhyer@lcv.org, 940-783-2230 Nuvia Enriquez, nenriquez@lcv.org, 602-384-5535   Washington, D.C. — In response to the passing of Representative Raúl Grijalva, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa Arizona issued the following statements:  “Representative Grijalva was a tireless leader who always championed environmental justice, advanced tribal sovereignty, safeguarded our sacred and precious public lands, protected clean air and water, and defended the health and safety of all communities — especially communities of color and communities with low wealth who have been historically excluded,” said LCV President Gene Karpinski.  “His countless legislative achievements, including his support of the tribal-led campaign to designate the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni—Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, and his steadfast leadership transformed the Natural Resources Committee to be more intentional in addressing the impacts facing communities most impacted by the climate crisis and pollution. Grijalva’s legacy includes his critical work with the late Representative Donald McEachin to draft the groundbreaking Environmental Justice for All Act, an instrumental bill confronting the legacy of environmental racism that disproportionately impacts communities of color and low wealth. We are forever grateful for Representative Grijalva’s historic leadership.” ***  “We are extremely saddened by the news of the passing of Congressman Raúl Grijalva. Our hearts are with his family, with the people of Arizona and with the American people as a whole who have lost a steadfast leader, an environmental champion and an amplifier of voices that were often silenced,” said Chispa Arizona Executive Director Vianey Olivarría. “Congressman Grijalva was a kind man and a leader who listened. He received social justice advocates in his offices with open arms and treated us with the familiarity of a grandpa…commending us for our efforts, giving us advice and encouraging our advocacy. This is a sad day. We have lost an elder but gained an ancestor. May he rest in power.”   ###

LCV and Chispa Arizona Statements on Passing of Representative Raúl Grijalva Read More »

Chispa Statement on Congressional Vote to Slash Funding for Environmental Protections and Increase Funding for Immigration Enforcement

Washington, D.C. — In response to congressional votes on a partisan anti-environmental and anti-immigrant funding bill, Chispa released the following statement from Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González: “This Continuing Resolution is not a real funding solution for our nation, and it will further harm our Latine and communities of color, overall, by proceeding with the Trump and Musk chaos and program cuts to essential services and protections that improve our lives. The extreme funding cuts and handing congressional power to Trump will only lead to increased job losses, rising energy costs, more pollution, and bad air in our neighborhoods, resulting in devastating health outcomes for our frontline families and communities. Cutting environmental protections and services while increasing funding for inhumane immigration enforcement and militarization of our communities places a target on our backs from our government. Instead of sloppily moving heaven and earth to cut essential services to justify tax breaks to the wealthy, Congress must focus on their job of passing funding bills thoughtfully that strengthen our economy, create jobs, and protect all the people.” *** Chispa LCV also joined the below letter along with over 90 organizations who oppose the partisan Republican-led funding bill:   March 10, 2025   Dear Member of Congress, The undersigned organizations represent millions of constituents across the country and a diverse slate of interests and sectors. Across these various perspectives, we are united in our ask: we strongly urge you to vote NO on the Republican-drafted continuing resolution (“CR”). Instead of a bipartisan government funding bill that adequately services the needs of everyday people, this CR poses grave threats to us all. By gutting billions of dollars in critically-needed  human needs benefits, health care, affordable housing, clean water and more, this CR will be devastating to many, including veterans, people with disabilities, families, and seniors. Further, this CR does nothing to address this administration’s actions, particularly those led by Elon Musk’s DOGE, that ignore Congressional directives on how to spend appropriated funds  and slash and dismantle the federal government in ways that hurt everyday people while benefiting corporations and the wealthiest. We urge you to reject this partisan CR that President Trump and Elon Musk will treat as a slush fund to enable and entrench their harmful agenda. Sincerely, National Organizations 20/20 Vision All* Above All Americans for Financial Reform Americans for Tax Fairness Association of University Centers on Disabilities AVAC Blue Future Center for LGBTQ Economic Advancement & Research (CLEAR) Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Children’s Defense Fund Clean Water Action Climate Action Campaign Climate Justice Alliance Community Change Action Climate Crisis Policy Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) Coalition on Human Needs Consumer Action Earthjustice Action Earthworks Economic Security Project Action Elevate Equal Rights Advocates Endangered Species Coalition Evergreen Action Food & Water Watch Friends of the Earth Action Green America GreenLatinos Health Care Without Harm Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights Indivisible Institute for Policy Studies’ Poverty Project League of Conservation Voters Muslim Advocates National Association of Social Workers National Health Law Program National Immigration Law Center National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice NextGen America Oceana P Street Patriotic Millionaires People For the American Way Physicians for Social Responsibility Popular Democracy Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) PrEP4All Public Citizen Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Sierra Club The Advocates for Human Rights The Earth Bill Network Unrig Our Economy United Church of Christ United Steelworkers (USW) Voices of Health Care Action Washington Office on Latin America WE ACT for Environmental Justice Western Watersheds Project Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights State and Local Organizations 350Kishwaukee California Environmental Voters Change the Chamber Chispa, a Program of LCV Chispa Arizona Citizen Action of New York Conservation Colorado Conservation Voters of PA CTR Earth Ethics, Inc. Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project For Love of Water Michigan League of Conservation Voters National Immigrant Justice Center New Jersey LCV National Health Law Program North Carolina League of Conservation Voters Oasis Legal Services Oregon League of Conservation Voters Oregon Wild Pennsylvania Sustainable Business Network PICO California San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN) Strong Economy For All Coalition The Legal Clinic The Sidewalk School The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans Virginia League of Conservation Voters Washington Conservation Action Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center    ###

Chispa Statement on Congressional Vote to Slash Funding for Environmental Protections and Increase Funding for Immigration Enforcement Read More »

LCV y Chispa aplauden la reintroducción de la Ley para Promover el Derecho al Voto John R. Lewis

Para publicación inmediata 5 de marzo de 2025 Contacto: Mika Hyer, mhyer@lcv.org , 940-783-2230 Chispa/En Español: Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org  202-907-9717 Washington, D.C.— En respuesta a la reintroducción de la Ley para Promover el Derecho al Voto John R. Lewis en la Cámara de Representantes de los Estados Unidos, la Liga de Votantes por la Conservación (LCV) y Chispa emitieron las siguientes declaraciones: “Sesenta años después de que el representante John Lewis fuera atacado en un puente en Selma, Alabama, por exigir el derecho al voto, nuestros derechos fundamentales, incluyendo nuestro derecho a votar en elecciones libres y justas, están bajo ataque cada vez más”, dijo el director del Programa de Democracia de LCV, Justin Kwasa. “Mientras la administración Trump, los republicanos extremistas en el Congreso y los jueces de extrema derecha en la Corte Suprema intentan reducir los derechos al voto y priorizar los intereses de los grandes contaminadores y los directores ejecutivos de corporaciones ultrarricos por sobre la gente de este país, es fundamental que protejamos la libertad de votar de todos los votantes, sin importar su raza, ingresos o código postal. Instamos al Congreso a aprobar la Ley para Promover el Derecho al Voto John R. Lewis y otras leyes críticas sobre el derecho al voto, incluida la Ley de Libertad para Votar y la Estadidad de D.C.” *** “La Ley para Promover el Derecho al Voto John R. Lewis es más necesaria que nunca ahora que nuestra nación y nuestras comunidades enfrentan un ataque directo a la democracia, nuestros derechos civiles y nuestro derecho al voto”, dijo la directora sénior de Chispa, Estefany Carrasco-González. “Nuestra democracia es más fuerte cuando todos los ciudadanos pueden participar de manera libre y justa, no solo unos pocos. En cambio, tenemos intentos constantes, desde la supresión del voto hasta la desinformación, para justificar el intento una y otra vez de quitarles el derecho al voto a los votantes elegibles. La reintroducción de este proyecto de ley es fundamental para proteger nuestro derecho fundamental a elegir a los líderes que nos representen”. ###

LCV y Chispa aplauden la reintroducción de la Ley para Promover el Derecho al Voto John R. Lewis Read More »

LCV and Chispa Applaud the Reintroduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

For Immediate Release March 5, 2025 Contact: Mika Hyer, mhyer@lcv.org, 940-783-2230 Chispa/En Español: Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org 202-907-9717 Washington, D.C.— In response to the reintroduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa issued the following statements: “Sixty years after Representative John Lewis was attacked on a bridge in Selma, Alabama, for demanding the right to vote, our fundamental rights, including our right to vote in free and fair elections, are under escalating attacks,” said LCV Democracy Program Director Justin Kwasa. “As the Trump administration, extremist Republicans in Congress, and far-right Justices on the Supreme Court attempt to roll back voting rights and prioritize the interests of Big Polluters and ultra-wealthy corporate CEOs over people in this country, it is critical that we protect every voter’s freedom to vote — no matter their race, income, or zip code. We urge Congress to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and other critical voting rights legislation, including the Freedom to Vote Act and D.C. Statehood.” *** “The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is needed now more than ever as our nation and communities face a ruthless assault on democracy, our civil rights, and our right to vote,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “Our democracy is stronger when all citizens can participate freely and fairly, not just a few. Instead, we have constant attempts – from voter suppression to disinformation – to justify trying over and over to take away the right to vote from eligible voters. The reintroduction of this bill is critical to protect our fundamental right to choose leaders to represent us.” ###

LCV and Chispa Applaud the Reintroduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act Read More »

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