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LULAC RESPONDS TO VICE PRESIDENT VANCE'S DISRESPECT TOWARD SENATOR ALEX PADILLA: "OUR NAMES, OUR PEOPLE, DESERVE DIGNITY"

Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Denounces Public Slight as Dismissive and Unbecoming of a National Leader

Washington, DC — The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) expresses deep disappointment and indignation over the statement made by Vice President JD Vance during a public event in which he referred to United States Senator Alex Padilla, a respected Latino leader, as "Jose." The moment, caught on camera and now widely reported, is a painful reminder of the casual disregard with which too many Latinos are treated, even by the highest offices in the land.

"When Vice President Vance referred to Senator Padilla as 'Jose,' he didn't just misname one man; he dismissed millions," said Roman Palomares, LULAC National President and Chairman of the Board. "It is a clear reminder of how invisible our community remains to those who should know better."

In referencing Senator Padilla by the wrong name, Vice President Vance then remarked, "All they're standing up for is drug cartels that want to run rampant over our country and sex traffickers to continue to traffic little kids into our country." His slur and accusations struck a nerve with millions of Latinos across the country who have seen and heard such microaggressions masked as humor and offhanded criminalization far too often.

LULAC seeks a higher standard of respect, awareness, and accountability. The Office of the Vice President carries the weight of history and the moral obligation to speak with care, not contempt. Mistaking a U.S. Senator's name, especially in this context, is not a harmless gaffe—it is symptomatic of a deeper cultural insensitivity that Latinos have long endured.

"We are not all named Jose, and we are not interchangeable. We are Americans, elected leaders, essential workers, military veterans, and families whose roots run deep in this land," added Palomares. "The dignity of our names reflects the dignity of our people, and it must be respected."

LULAC calls on the Vice President to reflect on the responsibility of his words. As a self-proclaimed man of faith, he must remember that spiritual values begin with honoring the humanity in every person. This moment must serve as a call to all Americans: demand more from your leaders. Demand a nation where every child, no matter what their heritage, hears their name spoken with the same respect we expect for any other. The American people, including the nearly 63 million Latinos who call this country home, deserve better.

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About League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization. Founded in 1929, LULAC is committed to advancing the rights and opportunities of Latino Americans through advocacy, community building, and education. With a growing network of councils nationwide, LULAC remains steadfast in its mission to protect and empower millions of Latinos, contributing daily to America's prosperity. For more information about LULAC and its initiatives, please visit https://lulac.org/.