Hispanic Unity of Florida Issues Statement on the Repeal Title 42
April 15, 2022 Hispanic Unity of Florida Issues Statement on the Repeal of Title 42 Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF) applauds the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announcement to terminate Title 42, effective May 23, 2022. We welcome and agree this is a long-overdue policy shift that will help…
Read MoreEl condado de Broward autoriza las identificación comunitaria, dando una identidad a muchos
Muchos residentes, incluidos los ciudadanos americanos, no cumplen con los requisitos para recibir una licencia de conducir o una identificación emitida por el estado, lo que hace comprobar su identidad para numerosas actividades cotidianas, sea un desafío. En 2021, el condado de Broward aprobó una resolución propuesta por los comisionados…
Read MoreBroward County authorizes Community ID’s, giving an identity to many
Many residents, including citizens, do not meet the requirements to receive a driver’s license or state-issued identification, which makes proving their identity for numerous day-to-day activities a challenge. These individuals include: the homeless and elderly individuals, those recently returning from jail, including new immigrants and refugees, and others who believe…
Read MoreFlorida Voters To Receive Spanish Language Assistance
The U.S. Census Bureau released a list of 331 jurisdictions (counties and minor civil divisions) across the nation and three states that are required under the Voting Rights Act to provide language assistance during elections for citizens who are unable to speak or understand English adequately enough to participate in…
Read MoreNALEO Census Research Charts Florida’s Latino Population Growth Statewide and Within Its 10 Largest Counties
The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund released its 2020 Census Profile of Florida, offering an in-depth look at how Florida’s Latino population grew across the state and in its 10 largest counties over the last decade. Additionally, the report provides a granular look at population growth by…
Read MoreThe Redistricting Process Begins
Across the country, officials have begun to meet to begin the redistricting process. Redistricting happens every ten years to make sure political boundaries align with population trends found in each new national census that took place the previous year. Because of Florida’s population growth in the last ten years, the…
Read MoreEmpieza la redistribución de distritos electorales
Oficiales por todo el país se están reuniendo para comenzar el proceso de redistribución de distritos electorales. Este ocurre cada diez años para asegurar que estos districtos se alinien con los cambios de población encontrados en cada nuevo censo nacional que ocurrió el año anterior. Debido al crecimiento de la…
Read MoreHelp Dreamers find a permanent fix to DACA
Earlier this year a federal judge suspended new DACA applications for Dreamers. The Biden administration is now attempting to revive the DACA program. While the program would offer some relief to Dreamers through DACA, it still does NOT offer Dreamers a path toward citizenship. So, in addition to supporting the…
Read MoreRule proposed to protect DACA Dreamers long-term
This week, the Biden administration proposed a rule that attempts to satisfy concerns of a federal judge in Houston who ruled in July that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was illegal, largely because the Obama administration bypassed procedural requirements when it took effect in 2012. The new…
Read MoreHispanic Unity of Florida Issues Statement on the Treatment of Haitian Immigrants at U.S. Border
Hispanic Unity of Florida emite una declaración sobre el trato que reciben los inmigrantes haitianos en la frontera de EE. UU.
Read MoreFlorida to apply for $820 million in food aid
Florida announced this week it would tap into $820 million in federal food aid money for children in low-income households. That means parents of up to 2.1 million children could receive $375 to pay for food for each child over the summer. Florida was the only state not applying for…
Read MoreMiami federal judge blocks Florida from enforcing ban on sanctuary cities
A federal judge in Miami on Tuesday blocked Florida from enforcing a ban on so-called sanctuary cities, declaring portions of a law unconstitutional and tinged with “discriminatory motives.” The judge’s ruling struck down a key portion of the 2019 law that prohibits local and state officials from adopting “sanctuary” policies…
Read MoreAutomatic extension of TPS-related documentation for 6 countries
The Department of Homeland Security is automatically extending the validity of TPS-related documentation for beneficiaries under the TPS designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua & Sudan for 15 months through Dec. 31, 2022, from the current expiration date of Oct. 4, 2021. If current TPS holders continue to meet all the individual requirements for…
Read MoreSNAP Gets Largest Single Increase Ever
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a re-evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, which is used to calculate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits based on changes to nutritional guidance, food prices and what Americans eat. With these updates, Florida is expected to see an increase of over $1 Billion…
Read MoreHealth and Human Services Issues Inclusive Bulletin on Immigrants and Public Charge
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) asked state Medicaid and CHIP directors to take an active role in thawing the public charge chilling effect. The Informational Bulletin, sent to states by HHS’ Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, underscores that the DHS 2019 Public Charge Final Rule is…
Read MoreFlorida Needs Congressional Action As DACA Hits Nine-Year Mark; FWD.us Launches New Report
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program turns nine today. While the program has been overwhelmingly successful and provided young immigrants and those that rely on them with immense opportunity, congressional inaction to provide Dreamers with an earned pathway to citizenship threatens their lives and contributions in the U.S.…
Read MoreAmerican Families Plan is an investment in children and families
The American Families Plan (AFP) proposed by the Biden-Harris Administration reflects, after many decades, the full range of bold proposals needed to transform the economy so it truly works for children, young people, women, and families. Coupled with the American Jobs Plan announced earlier this month, the AFP would at…
Read MoreWe Stand With the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community (AAPI)
We stand with the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community (AAPI). We abhor the violence against the Asian community. Violence against AAPI has grown by 150% since the start of the pandemic. Many of us are searching for ways we can respond to the recent violence in Atlanta and throughout…
Read MoreHouse passes pathway to citizenship for ‘Dreamers’
The American Dream and Promise Act, which would provide a path to citizenship for young undocumented migrants known as “Dreamers” and other people living in the country with temporary protected status, passed in a 228-197 vote. The House also passed The Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which could create a system…
Read MoreDHS Withdraws Affidavit of Support Proposed Rule
On March 19, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced withdrawal of a proposed rule, Affidavit of Support on Behalf of Immigrants. By taking these steps, DHS aims to reduce barriers and alleviate burdens on American families who wish to sponsor individuals immigrating to the U.S. within the legal immigration system. On Feb. 2, 2021, President…
Read MoreU.S. Department of Homeland Security: Secretary Mayorkas Designates Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status for 18 Months
WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas is designating Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, until September 2022. This new designation of TPS for Venezuela enables Venezuelan nationals (and individuals without nationality who last resided in Venezuela) currently residing in the United States to file initial applications…
Read MoreDHS Secretary Statement on the 2019 Public Charge Rule
The Department of Homeland Security announced that government will no longer defend the 2019 public charge rule. The 1999 “field guidance” is effective immediately, making it safe for immigrant families to use health, food, and housing programs they qualify for. https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/03/09/dhs-secretary-statement-2019-public-charge-rule
Read MoreAmerican Rescue Plan Act Will Help Millions and Bolster the Economy
The American Rescue Plan Act, which Congress has passed and has been signed by President Biden, will provide needed help to tens of millions of people, reduce high levels of hardship, help school districts address student learning loss, and bolster the economy. The economy remains weak, the jobs recovery has…
Read MoreUSCIS Reverts to the 2008 Version of the Naturalization Civics Test
USCIS announces plans to revert to the 2008 version of the Naturalization Civics test. — USCIS anuncia planes para volver a la versión del 2008 del examen de Educación Cívica para Naturalización. https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-reverts-to-the-2008-version-of-the-naturalization-civics-test#:~:text=The%202020%20test%20will%20be,Center%20on%20the%20USCIS%20website
Read MoreFlorida Medicaid Expansion 101
In Florida, the most a family of 3 can make in a year and still qualify for Medicaid is approximately $8,000. Currently, even during the Covid-19 pandemic, there is no help for adults with no children. Watch this video to learn about how Medicaid expansion would help more Florida families…
Read MoreInformation for parents of English Learners
Información para padres de estudiantes de inglés El Departamento de Educación de la Florida extendió el periodo para tomar la prueba ACCESS hasta el 28 de mayo de 2021. Recomienda a todos los estudiantes ESOL a tomar esta prueba e indica que “independientemente de ello, la decisión final de participar…
Read MoreJoe Biden firmó 17 órdenes ejecutivas y otras directivas. ¿En qué consisten?
Las medidas pretenden reforzar las protecciones para los jóvenes inmigrantes, detener la construcción del muro fronterizo del presidente Donald Trump, acabar con la prohibición de viajar y priorizar la equidad racial. https://www.nytimes.com/es/2021/01/21/espanol/biden-ordenes-ejecutivas.html
Read MoreRental assistance update: Money coming soon to strapped tenants and landlords.
Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties are finalizing details of how they plan to dole out millions of dollars to help prevent the eviction of thousands of renters who fell behind on their payments because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The counties plan to begin accepting applications and making payments within…
Read MorePublic Charge: New Barrier for Legal Immigrants
For Immediate Release: Contact: Josie Bacallao Hispanic Unity of Florida jbacallao@hispanicunity.org 954-683-2028 (Mobile) 954-342-0298 (Direct Line) Public Charge: Legal Immigrants’ Latest Barrier to Path to Citizenship Ft. Lauderdale—August 15, 2019 – Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the final “public charge” rule that will take effect in…
Read MorePublic Charge/ Carga Pública: DHS Announcement
Today, DHS announced the updated “Public Charge” Rule effective October 15, 2019. Below is their official announcement. Hoy DHS anuncio la nueva regla final de “Carga Publica” que va ser efectiva 15 de octobre 2019. Continue para leer mas detalles. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship…
Read MoreMeet Lesbia
Thanks to @Citi Foundation #ProgressMakers, Lesbia makes her career dream a reality! When Lesbia was very young, her parents made a difficult decision. They wanted a better future for their family, so they moved from Central America to the U.S. to find it. During that period, her parents were back…
Read MoreMeet Marisol
Thanks to @Citi Foundation #ProgressMakers, Marisol makes her dream a reality! From Boston, to Puerto Rico, to Miami, Marisol has been following her American dream since birth. Born in Boston, she spent several years in the historic city before her family relocated to Puerto Rico, where she grew up and…
Read MoreThe Immigrant Workforce
The Urban Institute recently released a research report titled Upskilling the Immigrant Workforce to Meet Employer Demand for Skilled Workers. The report – and its two page factsheet – provide guidance for policy makers, workforce organizations – both public and private – employers and funders (such as the ones that…
Read MoreWhy Is Florida Not Tracking and Sharing Information on the Progress of 290,000 Students?
This article was originally published on June 6, 2018 on the UnidosUS website. As of this posting, Florida is the only state in the nation to not have a federally approved accountability plan. On April 20, 2018, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) submitted its revised Florida Every Student Succeeds…
Read MoreOffice of New Americans of Miami-Dade County Partners with Hispanic Unity of Florida to Launch FREE Citizenship Classes at Libraries throughout Miami-Dade County
The Office of New Americans of Miami-Dade County (ONA), established to promote naturalization campaigns and citizenship events, recently partnered with Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF) to launch the Pathways to Citizenship program aimed at helping eligible permanent residents in Miami-Dade become U.S. citizens. HUF, a non-profit established in 1982, has…
Read MoreHispanic Unity of Florida (HUF) Selected by Citi Foundation to Accelerate Opportunity in South Florida
A significant investment in core operating support will enable HUF to provide clients with access to customized vocational training programs and rewarding career pathways The Citi Foundation today announced that Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF) was selected as the recipient of a $500,000 grant as part of the 2018 Community…
Read MoreHispanic Unity of Florida Inducts 2018 Board Officers
We are pleased to announce our new Board officers, as well as the full slate of Board members for 2018. Charles Tatelbaum, a Director with the Ft. Lauderdale law firm of Tripp Scott, P.A., has been elected to serve as Chair of the HUF Board of Directors. Mr. Tatelbaum has…
Read MoreUnified Voices at HUF #RiseAbove
For the past 35 years, HUF has assisted individuals seeking freedom and opportunity on their journey to their American dream. While working on our mission of Empowering a New Generation of Americans, we have always been committed to diversity, cultural awareness and non-discrimination, as noted by our values. We made…
Read MoreHUF’s Te Ayudo Program, Funded by Humana, Helps Shape a Healthier Future for our Community
What value can you place on health insurance? The recent emotional testimony about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) gives us a sense of the importance of health insurance to a solid economic footing. To one Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF) client, access to healthcare through HUF’s Te Ayudo program is…
Read More35 Years of Impact: The Power of Community
The Community Unites to Make Life Comfortable for Grandma, Charnecia, and Marqis Watch the video! Earlier this year at HUF… Together, Grandma Gwendolyn, Charnecia and Marqis are a close-knit family. Gwendolyn has long since cared for the children as her own. But recently, hardship struck the household. The lease on the family’s…
Read MoreBank Executive: Why he supports “Dreamers”
Guest Columnist Luis G. Lobo is an executive in the banking industry. Children are not held responsible for the actions of their parents. In a free society, we long ago established that the actions of parents were not held against their children. Debtor courts may move against the assets of the parents,…
Read MoreDreamers: They are America’s Children
This is the only country most have ever known. They speak English, and it’s often their main language. They have one of the highest college completion rates – 85% – according to a recent study. They serve in the armed forces or students. They are lawyers, nurses, teachers and small…
Read More35 Years of Impact: English classes and job training at HUF changed Tania’s and her children’s lives… for good!
Times were tough for Tania Chinchilla when she first arrived in the U.S. in 2015. She and her two children had made the journey from Panama with only a limited grasp of the English language and no one to turn to in their new country. Tania had to find a…
Read MoreWhy advocate? And how to get started.
One of my favorite books on not-for-profit management is called Forces for Good by Leslie Crutchfield and Heather McLeod Grant. The authors posit that there are six practices that define high-impact independent sector organizations. The first best practice on their list is this: Work with government and advocate for…
Read More35 Years of Impact: After reaching her dream, Gladys turned to helping others achieve theirs
Gladys Obando came to the United States from Panama at sixteen years old, leaving behind her family and everything she knew. While they stayed in close touch – joyfully celebrating everything from birthdays to Gladys’ high school graduation by phone – she was alone to find her way in a…
Read MoreThe Broward County Bar Association recognizes Josie Bacallao, HUF’s President & CEO with the Liberty Bell Award
Joining Josie for the luncheon were former and current HUF Board Members. L-R (Back) Christina Paradowski, Board Member; Willy Gomez, Board Chair; Nydia Menendez, Board Member Emeritus; Chuck Tatelbaum, Chair-Elect; (front) Josie Bacallao, CEO; Maria Elena Ferrer, Board Member Emeritus; Catalina Avalos, HUF Attorney (Tripp Scott) and former Board Member;…
Read MoreTHE STORY OF HUF’s BEGINNING (Part 2)
by Maria Sanjuan – Part 2 (Conclusion) Click here to read PART 1 of this story. “As HUF began to expand, it became clear that we needed a larger space. With much convincing, the City of Hollywood Commissioners agreed to help us purchase our very first building – an old…
Read MoreTHE STORY OF HUF’s BEGINNING (Part 1 of 2)
by Maria Sanjuan – Part 1 of 2 A New Immigrant “As a philanthropist, I believe in creating opportunities for others – in fostering a sense of empowerment. In essence: teach someone to fish so they’ll never go hungry. This is what Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF) is all about -…
Read MoreMEMORIES of FLORIDA
Eugenio R. Torres, Founder of Hispanic Unity Disclaimer: Excerpt from a more detailed writing of Eugenio’s life. Translated and edited at HUF in 2017. Contributing Editor: Ashley Collier – HUF volunteer. “One day, upon my arrival in Broward County, I felt very lonely, and so did many other people. It…
Read MoreThank you & Farewell Dream-Makers
Imagine a workplace where you are offered a smile when you enter, no matter what is going on. Where teamwork and “selflessness” are not mere words. Hispanic Unity is such a place. It’s an organization with team members who join us because they share our values and believe in our…
Read MoreEarn It. Keep It. Grow It.
This is Part 2 of two-part blog on Financial Health in honor of Financial Literacy Month. Ideally, by now you have given your financial goals a little thought (see previous blog post). You may have had some quiet time with yourself; you may have discussed it with your family or…
Read MoreKeys to Financial Stability
How do you define being ‘financially ahead’? We believe that knowing where you want to end up on your financial journey is a step you cannot skip. Here’s some old wisdom: if you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there. And it’s a conversation most…
Read MoreAll Eyes on the Supreme Court
On April 18th, eight members of the Supreme Court heard 90 minutes of oral arguments on what is known as DACA and DAPA. The White House’s representatives argued in favor of expanding an already existing program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) which gives temporary relief to immigrants who came…
Read MoreFox Executive teaching English
Last year we received an email from someone who was moving to Fort Lauderdale and wanted to volunteer. Thus begun our friendship with Dermot McQuarrie, a former Fox Sports executive (Executive Producer of Fox Sports Americas and General Manager for the Fox Soccer Channel.) He now runs his consultancy company…
Read MoreThis is why I love America: Celebrating National Citizenship Day
The following was excerpted from comments made by Josie Bacallao, President/CEO of Hispanic Unity at a Naturalization Ceremony in the USCIS office in Oakland Park, Florida. Let me get a bit personal. My doctors were born in China and Ethiopia. My husband’s family is from Portugal, England and Ireland and…
Read MoreJoan Alker asks: Why Does Florida Still Have one of the Highest Uninsured Rates for Kids?
This from a recent study by Joan Alker who is the Executive Director at the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University on behalf of Florida Philanthropic Network: “Florida’s child uninsured rate was 11.1% compared to a national average of 7.1% in 2013.” “Florida has the highest uninsured rate for…
Read MoreUnder 5 feet and already changing the world (in celebration of National Volunteer Month)
Jimmy Buffett, my favorite troubadour, asks in one of his songs, “are you kind?” If you are kind, you care about others. If you care about others you may want to make their lives better. If their lives are better, the whole community is lifted. We are so proud to…
Read MoreSunday, March 7, 1965: 50 Years, Selma
https://twitter.com/repjohnlewis/status/574265007875223552 The marchers didn’t have three minutes. “Bloody Sunday” and the images on national television shamed our nation. Two more attempts were made to cross that bridge in Selma. On the third attempt on March 21st, the voting-rights activists were able to make it from Selma to Montgomery. Five months later President…
Read More“We should be so thankful that they’re here”
“We should be so thankful that they’re here,” demographer William Frey says of immigrants boosting the USA’s diversity. Mr Frey is a Senior Fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program and the recent author of the book called: Diversity Explosion: How New Racial Demographics are Remaking America And the “they” Mr. Frey is referring to are immigrants.…
Read MoreJanet Murguía Interview: Family, NCLR and Politics
Get to know Janet Murguía, President & CEO of NCLR. Learn about her amazing and accomplished family, her thoughts about immigration reform and her vision for the future. http://www.c-span.org/video/standalone/?323038-1/qa-janet-murguia (Note: Hispanic Unity is one of 300 community-based organizations in the U.S. that are Affiliate Members of NCLR.)
Read MoreTax Credits Lift Families out of Poverty
Just in one year, Broward County’s working families received up to $514,000 in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC). In 2013, these credits lifted more than 9.4 million people – including 5 million children – out of poverty. Every year, a group of funders and community nonprofit organizations work hard to ensure…
Read MoreWhat Can Latinos Learn From Israeli Innovators?
November 18, 2014 is National Entrepreneur Day. In honor of this day, we bring you the guest column below. Thank you to Guest Columnist Arminda “Mindy” Figueroa, Chief Marketing Connector (and CEO) of Latin2Latin Marketing + Communications, LLC What Can Latinos Learn From Israeli Innovators? That is the question that came up…
Read MoreWhy are 764,000 Floridians uninsured?
Health, love, money and time to enjoy it all. It’s one of my favorite Spanish toasts. And, when I am feeling philosophical, I think of it as a great plan on how to live your life. When we are healthy, all is possible. We can embrace the love of our family…
Read MoreWhy vote? Because …
The Children’s Services Council of Broward County is at risk. Find out why you should and why you should vote by November 4.
Read MoreWhy are we writing a blog?
One of my favorite authors Thich Nhat Hanh wrote (I paraphrase here) that understanding and compassion open the door to communication. I want to open the door. My overriding desire in writing this blog – and making it available to others to opine – is to increase our understanding of one another,…
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HUF Empowerment Center 