WASHINGTON, DC — As the September 30th deadline to avoid a government shutdown looms, UnidosUS Action Fund Executive Director Rafael Collazo issues the following statement:

“Latinos continue to suffer from the rising costs of living and a cloud of fear with the unchecked presence of ICE in our communities. Instead of working to address real concerns like healthcare access, housing costs and sensible immigration reforms, the President and his Republican allies in Congress have put us on the precipice of a government shutdown by stalling negotiations around the debt ceiling expiration deadline. Congressional Republicans need to come back to Washington and get back to work for the American people. This reckless behavior could cause potential disruptions to vital services that millions rely on,” says Rafael Collazo, Executive

Director, UnidosUS Action Fund.

This looming shutdown comes after Congress passed this summer a terrible federal budget that slashed Medicaid, ended vital nutrition subsidies and defunded programs that serve working families, all while fueling an extreme, indiscriminate immigration enforcement agenda that is tearing families apart and harming local economies across the country.

UnidosUS Action Fund applauds Congressional Democrats who are willing to work toward bi-partisan solutions that keep vital services available.

“Latinos deserve a Federal Government that safeguards economic stability and protects our rights, not one that risks shutdowns. UnidosUS Action Fund will continue to hold Congressional leaders accountable to the needs of Latino communities—including delivering a federal budget that strengthens opportunity for all. Lawmakers have a constitutional responsibility to safeguard economic stability, not put it at risk through government shutdowns,” said Rafael Collazo, Executive Director, UnidosUS Action Fund.

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