Latino Voices in Washington: How One Group is Shaping Policy and the American Dream

Latino Voices in Washington: How One Group is Shaping Policy and the American Dream 

Have you ever thought about calling your representative to share your views on a bill or policy? Believe it or not, your voice matters more than you might think, especially when lawmakers are juggling dozens of issues at once. That’s where grassroots organizations come in, helping connect everyday people with the halls of power. 

One group making waves this week in Washington, D.C. is the LIBRE Initiative, a national organization that mobilizes Hispanic communities to engage with policymakers on key issues affecting their lives. Founded nearly 15 years ago by Daniel Garza, LIBRE started out in Texas and has since grown to over 15 states. Their mission? To bring principled, freedom-oriented perspectives from Latino communities directly to lawmakers. 

Sandra Benitez, Libre’s Executive Director, shared some insight into why the group matters now more than ever. “Latinos are freedom oriented. They come to this country for better opportunities, better education, better jobs, and LIBRE helps connect those dreams to policy outcomes,” she said. 

Unlike traditional political campaigns, which often appear only around election time, LIBRE works year-round. It holds community events like civic engagement classes and English as a second language or ESL courses that remove barriers and empower families to thrive. 

This week’s big push is a “fly-in” event where dozens of LIBRE staff and activists have come to D.C. to meet members of Congress. Their goal? To share real stories from their communities and discuss key policies like tax protections from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which boosted Hispanic entrepreneurship and lowered unemployment. Sandra explained, “Our community was concerned about potential tax hikes that could break their budgets and slow down business growth.” 

LIBRE’s advocacy also focuses on legislation like the REINS Act, which aims to restore Congressional oversight on major federal regulations, and the DOJ Act, which calls for better accountability of government spending to prevent billions lost to clerical errors. 

“The American Dream is still alive for many Hispanics,” Sandra emphasized, pointing to LIBRE Institute polls showing over 70% believe it’s attainable. Still, she notes that government often gets in the way with excessive regulations and complicated tax codes, making it harder to start businesses or access healthcare. 

LIBRE works on the ground to remove those barriers, like their recent effort in Arizona to pass the “Tamale Bill,” which eased restrictions on home kitchens and street food vendors, a win for aspiring entrepreneurs. 

These stories aren’t just statistics. Sandra shared how many LIBRE staff started as volunteers, motivated by a passion to empower their communities. “I was born in a high-poverty area to a single mom,” she said. “There’s no other country where someone like me could succeed as I have.” 

For those interested in getting involved, LIBRE encourages reaching out through its website, belibre.org, or following them on Twitter. Even if your state doesn’t have a chapter, the group is eager to connect and grow. 

As Sandra puts it, the issues facing Latino communities, like economic opportunity, education, and healthcare are American issues. And their voices deserve to be heard loud and clear in Washington.