LULAC STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNING EXECUTING ORDER TO INCREASE SUPPORT OF HISPANIC SERVING INSITUTIONS

Washington, DC – The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation's oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization, applauds the Biden-Harris Administration for announcing $19 million in transformative investments for five Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in Florida, Illinois, Texas, and Puerto Rico to enhance research infrastructure.

These investments are a part of the $16 billion to more than 500 HSIs across 30 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, which together educate over 4.7 million students annually, many of whom are low-income and first- generation students.

This funding is one of the first funding commitments from Executive Order (EO) 14124, signed by President Biden to establish the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Hispanic-Serving Institutions. LULAC expresses its gratitude for the Biden-Harris Administration's ongoing support for HSIs and the next generation of Latino students.

Dr. Ray Serrano, LULAC’s Director of Research and Policy, stated:
“"Hispanic-Serving Institutions play a key role in advancing opportunities for Latino communities. This Executive Order is a strong step toward addressing the unique challenges HSIs face, boosting access to federal resources and driving success for Latino students—including many, like myself, who were among the first in their families to graduate from college."

Latinos make up about 18% of the U.S. population but are significantly underrepresented in STEM fields, comprising only 8% of the STEM workforce. Helping train and educate the next generation of Latinos at HSIs for STEM careers will help close this gap in the coming years.

LULAC will continue to support and advocate for additional steps by the Administration to improve the overall welfare and professional success of members of our community.