Building Collective Power Through Every Challenge
Dear Sisters, Brothers, and Siblings of LCLAA,
As we close the month of January, we want to reflect on where we are as a movement and a community. This past month has been heavy. Across the country, our communities and working people have faced attacks—through harmful policies, anti-worker rhetoric, and actions that target immigrants, Black and Brown communities, and those who dare to speak out and stand up to injustice. Many of us have felt fear, frustration, and uncertainty. These realities weigh heavily, but our movement is built to respond with unity and strength.
At the same time, January reaffirmed something even more powerful: our common strength and bravery.
In the face of these challenges, LCLAA’s members and our union siblings showed deep commitment and courage. We organized, stood up for one another, and strengthened coalitions rooted in solidarity and love for our neighbors. This work, often done quietly and without recognition, is what sustains our movement. It is proof that, also in difficult moments, working people continue to lead.
As we move into February, we do so with both hope and preparation. Our hope is not abstract or passive; it is grounded in our history, our values, and our leadership. At the same time, we are clear-eyed about the road ahead. The challenges we face will require unity, discipline, and a continued commitment to action.
LCLAA enters next month prepared to defend our communities, advance worker power, and remain steadfast in solidarity with all those fighting for freedom, dignity, and justice. Together, we will continue building the power necessary not only to respond to attacks and demand accountability, but also to shape the future we deserve.
Thank you for your leadership, resilience, and firm commitment to our shared effort.
In Solidarity,
Evelyn DeJesus,
LCLAA National President.
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Advocacy in Action: LCLAA's National Voice
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LCLAA continues to advance a strong policy agenda rooted in equity and accountability. Below are recent advocacy actions highlighting our commitment to Latino workers and working families. We encourage you to read these updates, share them with your union siblings and community networks, and use them as tools to create action in your city or state. Together, we can strengthen our collective voice and ensure Latino workers and families are protected, represented, and supported.
Statements: Sign On Letters:
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No more deaths in ICE custody. Demand Accountability
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We recognize that Latino working families, immigrant workers, and our communities are facing unprecedented challenges. Across cities nationwide, communities are grieving and rising up after the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents and other deaths during violent immigration enforcement operations.
These are not isolated tragedies—they are the result of unchecked power and a lack of accountability that continues to harm our families and neighbors.
LCLAA honored those lost to systematic violence in a special video. Please watch it and share it. We hope you watch it, share it, and stand up for our neighbors by demanding accountability and justice.
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El Salvador Recibe a sus Deportados y Repatriados
En este episodio hablamos sobre el impacto de las acciones y políticas migratorias de Estados Unidos en El Salvador.
Junto a Amparo Marroquín, vicerrectora de Proyección Social de la Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas (UCA) y experta en migración, analizamos cómo estas políticas afectan a las comunidades migrantes y al país que recibe a sus hermanos lejanos. También hablamos sobre los retos que enfrentan los deportados y retornados al llegar a un país que no está preparado para recibirles.
Escuche el episodio completo: El Cafecito del Día aquí, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcast.
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Renew your LCLAA Membership before March 31, 2026
Your support and engagement allow LCLAA to continue advocating for social, political, and economic justice for Latino families nationwide, especially in this difficult time. You, our members, are the backbone of our organization. Your dedication, passion, and hard work strengthen every campaign, every action, and every victory.
Now it's time to reaffirm our commitment to this fight and to the families who need us most — from Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento, to Louisville, Pittsburgh, Virginia, New York City, and Massachusetts — and to all our communities that continue to struggle and resist.
By renewing your membership, you help ensure that LCLAA remains a powerful voice for equity, dignity, and opportunities for all workers.
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY HERE.
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Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Under Threat: What It Means For Organized Labor Webinar
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On January 29, 2026, LCLAA joined CBTU, APRI, APALA, Pride at Work, and CLUW to co-host a national webinar on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and what’s at stake for working people and organized labor. More than 400 union members and allies registered for a timely, powerful conversation centered on how recent policy changes to TPS are impacting our union siblings and the labor movement as a whole.
Union voices made it clear: attacks on immigrant workers weaken all workers. We left energized, recommitted, and united around a simple truth—TPS and immigration is a labor issue, and an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.
Missed the Webinar? Here’s How You Can Take Action.
- Support TPS holders and immigrant union siblings by checking in, building trusted circles, and making sure workers have a plan and resources if their status is threatened.
- Click here to view our TPS Checklist.
- Freshen up on Know Your Rights materials and participate in AFL-CIO’s monthly virtual trainings: https://www.mobilize.us/aflciotraining/
- Share Know Your Rights (KYR) Cards with others:
- KYR-If Law Enforcement or Federal Agents Come to Your Workplace: Click here.
- KYR- Students and Families: Front and Back.
- 5 Things Parents Detained by ICE Should Know: Click here.
- Judicial v. Immigration Warrant: Know the Difference: Click here.
- Check out a brand-new factsheet on the human and economic costs of terminating Haiti TPS (effective February 3), prepared by Fwd.US, Haitian Bridge Alliance, and Undocublack.
- Additional Resources: Click here
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LCLAA Central Florida Presente at the MLK Day Parade
Proud to be Presente. ✊🏽
The LCLAA Central Florida Chapter joined the MLK Day Parade in Orlando, standing in solidarity with our community and honoring the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—a true champion for justice, dignity, and equality.
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AFL-CIO MLK Civil and Human Rights 2026 Convention
LCLAA stayed busy honoring Dr. King’s legacy across the country. ✊🏽
Our leaders connected with labor allies, uplifted civil and human rights. We were honored for our work in defending workers' rights. Dr. MLK Jr. reminded us our struggles are intertwined—and we carry that lesson forward every day.
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LCLAA Milwaukee Chapter Recognition
Chapter President José Ramírez proudly accepted an award from the Milwaukee Dr. MLK Jr. Justice Coalition in recognition of LCLAA’s ongoing work to confront racism and advance justice. Inspired by Dr. King’s reminder that our struggles are deeply connected, we remain committed to solidarity, collective action, and building a more equitable future for all.
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El Avance is published by the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), the leading national organization for Latino(a) workers and their families. Since its inception in 1972, LCLAA has remained a grassroots organization driven and directed by Latino labor leaders who understand the importance of unionization in helping workers secure rights and protections on the job, empowering them to become voices for justice and change in their communities. To help us continue our support for workers, please consider donating to LCLAA and becoming a member. Thank you!
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