Hispanic Caucus Condemns Supreme Court Ruling

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last Tuesday, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) held a press conference to voice strong opposition to the Supreme Court’s ruling that allows law enforcement to consider ethnicity in immigration enforcement actions. The Caucus emphasized the ruling’s threat to Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, and expressed support for the dissent authored by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown-Jackson.
“Today, we stand united in defense of the Fourth Amendment, which protects every American from unreasonable government intrusion,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), CHC Chairman. “This ruling undermines fundamental civil liberties and sets a dangerous precedent for how our communities are treated under the law. We will continue to fight to ensure that constitutional protections are upheld for everyone in the United States.”

At the press event, the members introduced an open letter from the 26 members of the CHC to the American people, outlining why they joined Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Brown-Jackson in expressing dissent to the Court’s shadow docket ruling.

Background on the Case:
The Supreme Court recently ruled that law enforcement agencies may take ethnicity, language or occupation into account during immigration enforcement actions. Justice Sotomayor’s dissent warns that this decision could weaken protections against unlawful searches and seizures, challenging long-standing Fourth Amendment safeguards.

Members present at the press conference included:
• Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), CHC Chairman
• Rep. Norma Torres (CA-35), CHC Vice Chair of Communications
• Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), CHC Vice Chair of Diversity and Inclusion
• Rep. Gil Cisneros (CA-31), CHC Freshman Representative
• Rep. Nydia Velázquez (NY-07)
• Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52)
• Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04)
• Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)

The CHC called on all Americans to remain vigilant in defending Fourth Amendment protections and to be aware of the implications this ruling could have on civil liberties nationwide.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is 43 members strong. The CHC serves as a forum for the Hispanic Members of Congress to coalesce around a collective legislative agenda. The Caucus is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.