On Friday, December 16th, Axios Latino editor Astrid Galván and justice & race reporter Russell Contreras led conversations with Latino voices on the news of the day. Guests included Representative-elect Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas) and White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics executive director Melody Gonzales.
Representative-elect Monica De La Cruz described her goals for bipartisan work in Congress and her beliefs surrounding immigration and border security policy.
- On her intentions to represent all voters regardless of their party: “At the end of the day, you are absolutely right, I’m a conversative, Christian, Republican woman and that’s how I ran. However, look at the role that this district and being a congresswoman actually plays. It is to represent everybody in my district, whether they voted for me or not. And that’s exactly what I intend to do.”
- On how living in Texas has shaped her views on immigration: “I think that I have a view of illegal immigration differently than maybe someone does in Michigan or another part of the country, because I’m here and I’m living it with my community members…I think that down here in south Texas, we are compassionate people and a caring people. And that’s why we believe that these immigrants should come in a way that honors them and that they are able to have the American dream by following the rules and our laws in place.”
Melody Gonzales discussed the mission of the White House Hispanic Initiative and her work connecting young people to technical and professional programs.
- On new aspects of the White House Hispanic Initiative under the Biden administration: “We are now expanded. Instead of just being rooted in education, we also have equity and economic opportunity that President Biden and the administration very intentionally added into our title.”
- On working to inform young people about available grants and jobs: “That to me is what this work is all about. You know, it’s about helping connect people to the technical programs and the historic dollars that are out there right now, the job opportunities.”
Thank you Bank of America for sponsoring this event.