NHCSL Joined MALC Panel on Immigration, Political Violence, and Latino Leadership

SAN ANTONIO, TX — Last week, the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) joined the Mexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC) for a panel discussion titled Latino Lawmakers in Action: Insights into Leading the Charge, Building Power and Shaping Policy, held during MALC’s Annual 2025 gathering in San Antonio. MALC is the oldest and largest caucus of Hispanic state legislators in the country, and NHCSL has long stood in support of their inspirational model of building and elevating Latino political power at the state level.

NHCSL Executive Director Kenneth Romero opened the session before turning it over to Rep. Ramon Romero (TX), chair of MALC, who moderated the conversation. The panel featured NHCSL President and House Minority Leader Rep. Angela Romero (UT), NHCSL Vice President for Public Policy Sen. Cristina Castro (IL), Sen. Michael Brooks-Jimenez (OK), and Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith (FL).

Panelists reflected on the challenges and opportunities of serving as Latino state legislators in diverse political landscapes. They focused particularly on immigration, political violence, and redistricting, underscoring the detrimental impacts of harmful policies and the resilience of Latino communities in the face of such challenges.

“Across every state, Latino lawmakers are proving that leadership rooted in service and unity can overcome any divide. Our work together is about building lasting power that delivers for our communities, strengthens our democracy, and ensures Latino voices are shaping the future of this country,” said MALC Chair State Rep. Ramón Romero, Jr.

Speaking on redistricting, NHCSL Executive Director Kenneth Romero praised the courage of MALC members and other Latino lawmakers across the nation who have risked their political careers to defend democracy. He highlighted their willingness to “lock arms” in solidarity when Latino communities are under attack, stressing that their actions were not about party politics, but about protecting fundamental rights. “This isn’t about Democrats vs Republicans, it was about protecting the voices of Hispanic, Black, and other marginalized communities—voices that are being targeted by maps designed to suppress and exclude,” Romero stated.

His remarks echoed the panel’s broader message: that unity across differences is not just a value, but a necessity as Latino leaders continue to shape policies to improve the quality of life for all Americans.

The discussion reinforced NHCSL’s mission to amplify Hispanic voices in policymaking, a mission that will guide its upcoming 23rd Annual Summit, to be held November 20th-23rd in Oklahoma City.

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The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) is the premier national association of Hispanic state legislators working to design and implement policies and procedures that will improve the quality of life for Hispanics throughout the country. NHCSL was founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to be the most effective voice for the more than 450 Hispanic legislators. For more information visit www.nhcsl.org.