U.S. Latino Leadership Backs Affirmative Action In Higher Education.

Leaders of the nation’s most prominent Latino organizations gathered in Washington, D.C. to show their support for affirmative action in higher education, now in danger of being overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. The leaders signed an open letter to President Bush urging him to back affirmative action.

At issue are two Supreme Court cases currently under review; Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger that challenge the University of Michigan’s right to consider race as a plus factor in its law school and undergraduate admissions processes. The outcome of this decision may have a significant impact on Hispanics and their ability to obtain higher education. Of the 35 million Latinos in the United States, only 11 percent have obtained postsecondary education. The proportion with a bachelor’s degree or more is much lower for Hispanics (10.6 percent) than for non-Hispanic Whites (28.1 percent), according to the U.S. Census Bureau. More than one-third of the Hispanic population is under 18 and approaching college age.

Latino leaders warn that if the Court rules against the university, Latinos will lose opportunities to attend institutions of higher learning to become doctors, lawyers, politicians and business leaders who make a strong contribution to society. Corporations agree on the importance of affirmative action. General Motors and 32 other Fortune 500 corporations have filed “friend of the court” briefs supporting the University of Michigan and stating the importance of cultural diversity to their businesses.

Hispanic leaders also note that changes in affirmative action policy may prevent deserving Hispanic students from receiving the financial aid they need to attend school.

Signing the 6′ x 4′ letter to President Bush is a coalition of national Hispanic organizations, including Moctesuma Esparza, Chairperson, New America Alliance; Antonio Flores, Ph.D., President and CEO, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities; Alma Morales Riojas, President and CEO, MANA-A National Latina Organization; Marisa Rivera-Albert, President, National Hispana Leadership Institute; Alfred Ramirez, President, National Community for Latino Leadership; Cecilia Munoz, Vice President for the Office of Research, Advocacy and Legislation, National Council of La Raza; Brent Wilkes, National Executive Director, League of United Latin American Citizens; Marisa Demeo, Regional Counsel, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund; Ivonne Cunarro, Executive Director, National Association of Hispanic Publications; Alicia Diaz, Director, Government Affairs & Legislative Policy, Cuban American National Council; Mari-Carmen Aponte, University of Puerto Rico; and Maria Perla, Student, Cesar Chavez Charter Hig