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Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de León on Friday night was involved in a physical altercation with an activist, Jason Reedy, during a community Christmas event in Lincoln Park. While handing out gifts to children during this event, de Leon was heckled by activists who called him a racist and demanded his resignation from the city council…

Statement on SCOTUS Birthright Citizenship Ruling

On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6–3 decision allowing President Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship to take effect in states that did not challenge it in court. While the ruling did not decide whether the order itself is constitutional, it limits the ability of federal judges to block policies nationwide….

How Community Shaped the Latino Climate and Health Dashboard

When LPPI set out to build the Latino Climate and Health Dashboard, the research team knew one thing: it couldn’t just be about numbers. It had to be about people—about the communities who live every day with the impacts of climate change and environmental injustice, and who are often left out of the conversations that…

LPPI 2024-2025 Student End of Year Celebration & Graduation

On June 6, the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI) celebrated the achievements of the Policy Fellow Class of 2025 and student workers. This year, a total of 17 students completed their work with the institute for the academic year. In her remarks, faculty director Amada Armenta said, “Ultimately, we wouldn’t be able to…

Statement on the ICE Raids in Los Angeles

Statement from Amada Armenta, faculty director at the Latino Policy and Politics Institute: “The recent ICE raids carried out in Los Angeles— followed by the arrest of protestors and the unilateral deployment of the National Guard—are an unconscionable use of state power to terrorize immigrant communities and their allies. These actions do not make us…

Empowering Latinas: UCLA LPPI Joins HOPE’s Latina Action Day to Advocate for Change in Sacramento

On May 6, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) hosted its annual Latina Action Day in Sacramento. UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI) staff, faculty experts and policy fellows were in attendance, joining over 300 Latinas from different professions and backgrounds at the state’s capital to advocate for policies impacting Latinas in education, economic…

Charlita: Kevin Kandamby on the AAPI Latino Experience and Its Growing Impact

The United States’ diverse population includes a vibrant and growing AAPI Latino community, yet their unique experiences and identities remain underrepresented in research and policy discussions. We had a Q&A with Kevin Kandamby, a Ph.D. student at UCLA and co-author of our AAPI Latinos brief, released last year, which sheds light on the diversity and…

Unaccompanied Children Are Under Attack, Again

This blog is a submission by the Community Justice Alliance (CJA), a legal services nonprofit seeking to advance racial justice and immigrant rights in California’s Central Valley. Years after the public outcry over family separations, we are once again witnessing a resurgence of punitive tactics that endanger the safety and due process rights of tens…

Language Access Is A Matter of Life and Death: Cutting Translated Weather Alerts Puts Millions at Risk

Earlier this week, the National Weather Service (NWS) halted the translation of its weather alerts and products into non-English languages due to the expiration of its contract with Lilt, an artificial intelligence translation service provider. The federal agency has provided no information about if or when it will resume offering translation services. This decision follows…

Rancho Raised, UCLA Made

At seven years old, I was the youngest chivero in Rancho Los Prietos, in Guanajuato, Mexico. As a proud and effective young goat herder, my day started early. Six days a week I would wake up at 4am. Walk over to my grandfather, Papa Pepe’s house. Have some coffee with galletas with Papa Pepe and my grandma Mama Ruma….

How Tariffs Threaten Economic Mobility for Latino Communities

While much of the current public conversation has focused on how tariffs are rattling the stock market, we must look beyond Wall Street and examine the real and lasting consequences for working-class communities and small business owners. These tariffs act as regressive taxes—raising the cost of everyday goods while offering no corresponding relief to families…

LPPI Hosts a Wildfire Research Briefing with Journalists

The recent Los Angeles wildfire research by the UCLA Latino Politics Institute (LPPI) was the focus of a media briefing hosted on March 5 at UCLA. Dr. Silvia González, LPPI’s director of research and representatives from the Institute of Popular Education of Southern California (IDEPSCA), an organization that has been on the front lines of wildfire support…

We Belong in These Spaces: A Transformative Visit to the Assembly Chamber

The UCLA LPPI 2025 policy briefing held on January 29 in Sacramento gave fellows a unique opportunity to engage with key stakeholders, including labor leaders, nonprofit organizations, and California state representatives. Among the many impactful moments, the Diálogo inside the Assembly Chamber stood out as a powerful experience that underscored the significance of diverse leadership…

Charlita: Gabriella Carmona on Why Judiciary Representation Matters

California’s judiciary plays a critical role in shaping the lives of its residents. Yet, despite Latinos making up nearly 40% of the state’s population, they remain significantly underrepresented on the bench. We had a Q&A with Gabriella Carmona, a senior research analyst at LPPI and lead author of Balancing the Bench: Examining the Representation of…

Debunking Myths About Latinos and Medicaid

This post is based on an interview conducted by KFF Health News, which published an article on March 17, 2025. The KFF article is also available in Spanish. Medicaid is a critical lifeline for millions of Americans, providing health coverage to low-income individuals and families. However, persistent myths about Latinos and Medicaid continue to fuel…

Latina and Black Women Entrepreneurs Policy Forum Highlights Barriers and Solutions

On February 4, over 40 women policymakers, researchers, and business leaders convened at UC Center Sacramento for the Latina and Black Women Entrepreneurs Policy Forum, hosted by the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI). The event examined structural inequities facing Latina and Black women entrepreneurs in California and explored data-driven policy solutions to foster…

Charlita: Jie Zong and Misael Galdámez

Automation is transforming industries and reshaping the labor market, with significant consequences for millions of workers. While technological advances have always influenced the types of jobs available, the current wave of automation is rapidly accelerating and has the potential to deepen existing inequalities. These shifts raise critical questions about job security, economic mobility, and the…

LPPI Hosts Annual State Policy Briefing

Automation’s far-reaching implications for the workforce took center stage at the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute’s (LPPI) sixth annual policy briefing, held on January 29 at The California Endowment in Sacramento. The event convened more than 75 representatives from legislative offices, community organizations, labor unions, and UCLA students to discuss the future of work…

Wildfire Relief Resources from our Partners

As wildfires continue to impact our communities, accessing timely and reliable information is essential. To help individuals and families navigate these challenges, we’ve compiled a list of resources from trusted partners working on the frontlines of wildfire preparedness, response, and recovery. Explore our Partners Wildfire Relief Funds and Resources 805 UndocuFund Disaster Relief Fund: Donations…

LDH Equips Inland Empire Leaders with Data Tools for Impact

In November, the Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI) partnered with the Inland Empire Community Foundation‘s Cultivating Inland Empire Latino Opportunity (CIELO) Fund to host two virtual Latino Data Hub (LDH) Action Lab workshops. The goal was to equip 22 leaders from grassroots and advocacy organizations in California’s Inland Empire (Riverside and San Bernardino counties)…

LPPI Research Drives Forward County Motion Calling Out Latino Disparities

Latinos make up nearly 50% of Los Angeles County’s population and serve as an essential driver of the region’s continued economic growth. Despite this fact, systemic barriers continue to perpetuate inequities for Latinos in health care, housing, and access to vital services. In response to these challenges, LA County Board of Supervisors Hilda Solis and…

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