Statement from Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation: Today, we remember the 49 lives taken at Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12, 2016. We honor their memories, celebrate the vibrant lives they lived, and stand with the families, friends, survivors, and communities forever changed by a senseless act of gun violence. The Pulse tragedy was a devastating attack on a safe place for the LGBTQ community – a space where people gathered to find joy, connection, and belonging. It also struck at the heart of the Latine community as many of those we lost had roots in Puerto Rico and other parts of Latin America. Their absence continues to be felt across families throughout Orlando and beyond. Honoring their legacy demands action. As we reflect on that night, we recognize that among the many important challenges facing our country, there is a dire need for strong gun reform. We must do more to develop safe spaces and to enact policies that will prevent the spread of gun violence that has continued across the country. True remembrance means continuing to work toward a future where communities can gather, celebrate, and live without fear of gun violence. As we remember the Orlando 49, we reaffirm the importance of love, dignity, inclusion, and the right for every person to live openly and safely. We honor the intersection of LGBTQ and Latine identities that made Pulse a home for so many. We say their names loudly. We remember their stories. We carry their light forward. Forty-nine lives. Forty-nine stories. Forever remembered.

Congress passed legislation providing over $70 billion to fund federal immigration enforcement agencies for the next three years, using a legislative tool that only requires votes from the Congressional majority, undercutting the public's demands for oversight and accountability. Frankie Miranda, President & CEO of Hispanic Federation, responded to the legislative package by pointing out that, "This legislation will accelerate the devastation to American communities, allowing unfettered federal enforcement operations to continue. Americans have been vocal about the negative impact of this federal overreach – hollowing out our businesses, traumatizing children, and tearing families apart." The passing of this legislation is one of the reasons we have hosted People's Hearings over the past few months. The powerful testimony shared in these hearings by brave community leaders will serve as the foundation for the public record that we can build on to demand accountability and oversight. Frankie added, "Hispanic Federation will not give up on families in need, nor will we give up on the fight for oversight and accountability of federal enforcement agencies. We urge all lawmakers to take action to impose urgent guardrails on the rogue agencies devastating American communities."

June 2025 marked the beginning of a massive federal crackdown in Los Angeles that caused significant damage to families and businesses alike. The harms people have experienced and continue to experience are not fully understood, but today we are putting their experiences on record. The People’s Hearing on Immigration Enforcement: Los Angeles will document how federal immigration enforcement impacted families, communities, and civil rights across LA. Tune in between 1pm and 6pm PT to listen to the powerful testimony of people who experienced firsthand how the aggressive federal crackdown harmed their communities. The livestream will be available in Spanish and English. United States Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) @RochelleMGarza, former USCCR Chair Marty Castro, and Miguel Santana, President of the @calfund will moderate panel discussions and engage directly with testifiers to document the impact federal immigration enforcement has had on Los Angeles communities. The forum, facilitated by Hispanic Federation, convenes civil rights and community organizations from @ImmDef, @ACLU_SoCal, @ufwfoundation, @carwasherxs, @CHIRLA, and many more local partners. The forum is being supported by @latinovictoryus the @TXCivilRights, and the Miranda Family.

A proposed rule change from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) would have a devastating impact on nonprofits across the country. The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports that "the proposal would place a political appointee as a gatekeeper at each federal agency to make certain taxpayer funds don’t veer from White House priorities. In addition, the pending regulations would make it easier for agencies to terminate grants if they are no longer deemed 'in the national interest.'" Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation, spoke with @Philanthropy about how this proposed rule would harm our partners and the communities that we serve. We raised these concerns in our meetings with elected officials this past week, and we will continue to work with Congressional leaders to make sure that Congressionally approved programs can continue to serve the public good without being politicized. Read the full story by Alex Daniels here: philanthropy.com/news/propos…

Throughout the week, #HFEncuentroNacional mobilized community leaders on the issues that matter. Together, nonprofit leaders from across the country visited 100 Congressional offices, strengthened advocacy strategies, and explored ways to build long-term sustainability through capacity building and fundraising. Thank you to @RepJohnLarson, @RepGraceMeng, @RepDarrenSoto, and to all of the members of Congress who met with us to listen to our community's concerns.