Growing up as a Latina student in America, I have constantly struggled with finding a place to fit in and a community to support me. I believe many Latinos can relate to the fact that growing up, we don't have much support and resources like the rest of the students around us. This is mainly because a majority of our parents immigrated from other countries, so they don't know the system like those who grew up in America and attended school here. This makes it challenging to find scholarships and opportunities that will help us when it comes time to applying for college. It becomes increasingly more difficult when we are not fluent in the language. Opportunities such as leadership positions in our schools become closed off to us while others strive in the environment around us.

However, the nationwide program "Latinos In Action" (LIA) has been a safe space for our community, providing guidance and gateways that we were not given prior. Not only does LIA give Latinos and ESOL students leadership roles within their campus, they help educate students on skills needed to succeed in life before and after college. For example, not many students are aware that you can gain scholarships through community service. Latinos In Action provides students with community service opportunities. Furthermore, LIA teaches students important skills that can be applied in the work field, such as writing a resume. All the resources Latinos In Action give to students empowers the Latino community, assisting them in overcoming adversity.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights insisted that schools nationwide must cut ties with Latinos In Action due to its alignment with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. According to the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, "Title VI itself prohibits intentional discrimination." The idea that LIA is "discriminating" is debatable. While one can argue that LIA discriminates against people of other races, nowhere does it say that LIA is limited to only Latino students. On the official Latinos In Action website, it clearly states, "The end goal of everything we do is to empower our amazing youth to lead and strengthen their communities through college and career readiness." When analyzing the About LIA page on the website, it is evident LIA's purpose is not to discriminate, but empower the future leaders of America, no matter what race. While the website does target students of Latino origin, it does not specifically claim that students from other races are not permitted to join.

Latinos In Action has consistently proven its importance in society, specifically in the Latino community. Therefore, it is critical to give back the LIA program to schools nationwide. We urge schools and educational policymakers across America to reinstate and prioritize "Latinos In Action" programs in their curriculum. By doing so, we invest in our students' futures, empower minority communities, and foster a generation of capable, driven leaders.

Sign this petition to call for the revival of "Latinos In Action." Together, we can ensure that all students get the fair shot they deserve and build a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow for everyone.

***Note: This petition is not affiliated with any specific county or school.