LULAC Calls Student Loan Court Decision Shortsighted And Politically Motivated

Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Says Ruling by Trump-Appointed Federal Judge Is Denying Relief for Students and Sacrifices America's Future

Washington, DC – The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) issued the following statement on the ruling by Federal Judge Mark T. Pittman in Texas. President Biden's program gave borrowers up to $10,000 in student loan forgiveness. Also, Pell Grant recipients could get an additional $10,000 of their student debt canceled. The qualified borrowers were individuals earning an annual gross income under $125,000 per year or a married couple filing jointly with less than $250,000. Current student loan payments are suspended through the end of 2022, and a limit is being placed on the monthly amount paid by borrowers still in school.

"LULAC strongly opposes this ruling," says Domingo Garcia, LULAC national president. "If we can bail out Wall Street, we can help students who are investing in themselves. These men and women are the future of our country and deserve a break far more than executives in pinstripe suits. This decision is nothing more than playing politics at the expense of educational opportunities for those who can least afford them," he adds.

"Students deserve the same opportunities as businesspeople who have had their debts canceled many times," says Delma Gorostieta, LULAC board member and vice president for Young Adults. "We struggle to pay our loans, not because we're irresponsible, but because we have other bills and are trying to get our lives started. We can only hope the Supreme Court will help us," adds Gorostieta.

"In today's economy, education is the key to success," states Jose Barrera, California LULAC State Director. "With the rising cost of living and increased tuition, student loan forgiveness is not just right, but it's a sensible policy to push our economy forward. Federal judges should not be playing politics with the future economic health of America," says Barrera.

"What we need is for Congress to codify President Biden's executive order to make this loan forgiveness program the law," says Garcia. "LULAC calls on all Americans who believe it is a person's right to an education to contact their representatives in Congress and urge them to support this measure," concluded Garcia.

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