🟧Latino & Hispanic Communities
A ranked guide to organizations promoting justice, equity, and opportunity for Latino and Hispanic communities across the U.S.
Grupos de defensa de las comunidades latinas e hispanas
The following organizations advocate for Latino and Hispanic communities in the United States, addressing issues such as immigration reform, civil rights, economic justice, and health care access.
Las siguientes organizaciones abogan por las comunidades latinas e hispanas en Estados Unidos, abordando temas como la reforma migratoria, los derechos civiles, la justicia económica y el acceso a la atención médica.
Their websites provide resources, legal assistance, and opportunities for activism.
Sus sitios web ofrecen recursos, asistencia legal y oportunidades para el activismo.
The largest Latino civil rights organization in the U.S. (formerly the National Council of La Raza), UnidosUS advocates for economic and social justice, immigration reform, and educational equity.
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
The oldest Latino civil rights organization in the U.S., LULAC advances Hispanic economic conditions, political influence, health, and education.
MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund)
A leading legal civil rights organization focused on Latino issues, MALDEF provides litigation, policy advocacy, and leadership training.
Strengthens Latino-led nonprofits and advocates for economic development, health, and immigration policies benefiting Hispanic communities.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Though not exclusively Latino-focused, the ACLU plays a major role in defending Latino immigrants' rights, including legal challenges to anti-immigrant policies and racial profiling cases.
The largest immigrant and refugee advocacy group in Washington, working on immigration reform, education equity, and economic justice.
A leading organization promoting Latino civic engagement through voter registration, political education, and advocacy for immigration reform.
The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials promotes Latino political participation, leadership development, and voter engagement.
The largest immigrant youth-led advocacy group, pushing for DACA protections, deportation defense, and immigrant justice.
National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
Specializes in defending the rights of low-income immigrants through litigation and policy work, focusing on health care and workers' rights.
Latino Community Fund of Washington
Focuses on economic empowerment, civic engagement, and advocacy for Latino communities across Washington state.
A national organization protecting the rights of farmworkers—many of whom are Latino—through legal aid, policy advocacy, and labor rights initiatives.
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
Provides legal support and advocacy for immigrants in Washington, focusing on asylum cases, deportation defense, and family reunification.
Focuses on legal advocacy and civil rights protections for Latino communities, particularly in employment, voting rights, and criminal justice reform.
Advocates for Latino communities disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards, promoting climate justice and sustainable policies.
Related Resources
Immigration Rights: Advocacy groups defending immigrant rights, citizenship access, and legal protections in the U.S.
Refugee Rights & International Migration: Global organizations protecting the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced persons.
Recursos relacionados
Derechos de inmigración: Grupos de defensa que protegen los derechos de los inmigrantes en Estados Unidos, incluyendo acceso a la ciudadanía, ayuda legal, y reformas de inmigración.
Derechos de refugiados y migración internacional: Organizaciones globales que protegen los derechos de personas refugiadas, solicitantes de asilo y personas desplazadas por conflictos o crisis humanitarias.
Top Latino/Hispanic Advocacy Issues
Immigration Reform: Advocating for fair and humane immigration policies that protect immigrant rights, prevent family separations, and provide pathways to citizenship.
Civil Rights: Fighting against discrimination and advocating for equal rights in areas such as education, employment, and housing, including legal defense against voter suppression and racial profiling.
Health care Access: Promoting equitable access to health care services, addressing disparities in insurance coverage, and improving language-accessible health care services.
Education Equity: Ensuring access to quality education for Latino students, including bilingual education, reducing achievement gaps, and increasing college access.
Economic Empowerment: Working toward financial stability through fair wages, small business support, and access to financial resources.
Workers’ Rights & Fair Labor Protections: Advocating for fair wages, workplace protections, and union rights, particularly for Latino workers in low-wage industries like agriculture, hospitality, and construction.
Voter Engagement & Political Representation: Encouraging civic participation, increasing voter registration, and supporting Latino representation in public office and policymaking.
Environmental Justice: Addressing disproportionate environmental hazards in Latino communities, advocating for clean air, water, and climate resilience policies.
Criminal Justice Reform: Fighting against racial profiling, reducing mass incarceration rates, and advocating for fair treatment in the justice system.
Media Representation & Combating Misinformation: Ensuring fair, accurate, and positive portrayals of Latino communities in media, while challenging harmful stereotypes and misinformation.
Housing Rights & Affordability: Advocating against housing discrimination, promoting affordable housing, and addressing gentrification that disproportionately displaces Latino communities.
Related Issues: Some advocacy groups in this guide—such as United We Dream, NILC, and Farmworker Justice—also work on asylum access, deportation defense, and refugee protection. For a broader global perspective, see Refugee Rights & International Migration.