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Press Release

LULAC National Executive Board Unanimously Opposes Roberts Nomination to the Supreme Court
John Roberts' Record is Antagonistic toward Immigrant Rights, Voting Rights, Education, and Affirmative Action Among Others

August 30, 2005, Media Contact: Brenda Alvarez, (202) 833-6130

Washington, DC - The National Executive Board of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) unanimously voted to oppose the nomination of John Roberts to the Supreme Court. Although he does not have an extensive public record, what exists suggest that Roberts' ideological positions may not allow him to be a fair and impartial judge, respectful of the important role of the Supreme Court.

The National Executive Board was especially concerned with John Roberts' record in the Plyler v. Doe case which raised significant questions about his position on immigrant rights and opportunities. "Over its long history, LULAC has fought hard to ensure that immigrants' rights were protected. Plyler v. Doe overturned a Texas law that would have withheld state funds from school districts for the education of undocumented children and denied them enrollment into the school system," stated Hector Flores LULAC National President. "Roberts' comments while he was special assistant to the Attorney General in a memo dated June 15, 1982 clearly demonstrate that he criticized the court's decision."

It is clear through Roberts' limited public record that he has been a consistent advocate of the positions of the extreme right wing. During the Reagan administration, Roberts helped promote efforts to severely limit the circumstances under which minorities could bring suit under the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Roberts also argued against affirmative action saying that the program was bound to fail because they required "the recruiting of inadequately prepared candidates."

Furthermore, in a patronizing 1983 memo while he was at the White House, Roberts commented that the Reagan administration would be favorably viewed by the Hispanic community because, "I think this audience would be pleased that we are trying to grant legal status to their illegal amigos."

A hard right candidate for a lifetime appointment to the nation's highest court will certainly threaten the impartiality of our court system.

"This attitude combined with his stance on affirmative action, voting rights and civil liberties has lead LULAC to believe that John Roberts is not the right person for the Supreme Court," President Flores added.

The League of United Latin American Citizens is the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States. LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health, and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.

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