Puerto Rico History & Contributions
Puerto Rico has played a vital and often underrecognized role in shaping the United States through its people, labor, culture, and service. Acquired by the U.S. in 1898, Puerto Rico’s residents became U.S. citizens in 1917 and have since contributed deeply to the nation’s economic growth, democratic life, and national defense, with hundreds of thousands serving honorably in the U.S. military. Puerto Rican workers helped build key industries—especially manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and public service—both on the island and on the mainland, where large Puerto Rican communities strengthened cities like New York, Chicago, and Orlando. Culturally, Puerto Rico has enriched American music, literature, sports, cuisine, and civil rights movements, while politically and socially its history has shaped national conversations about citizenship, democracy, and equality. Through resilience in the face of economic hardship, migration, and natural disasters, Puerto Rico and its people continue to make lasting contributions to America’s identity and future.
ACTION ALERT
Take action to ensure key reforms at ICE & CBP before DHS budget vote!
Stand with thousands across the country and demand immediate reforms that uphold constitutional rights, prioritize immigration enforcement for individuals convicted of serious crimes, not families, holds immigration agents accountable for unlawful actions, and stops any further DHS funding until these protections are in place.
Is your family at risk of separation? Plan, don't panic!
FREE Attorney Referral
FREE Emergency Immigrant Family Preparation Toolkits
FREE Emergency Immigrant Family Preparation Toolkits
Forward Latino has established relationships with ethical, knowledgeable and affordable immigration attorneys. Download the list at the link below or call (414)338-9071 and ask for "recommended immigration attorneys" and it will be texted to you.
FREE Emergency Immigrant Family Preparation Toolkits
FREE Emergency Immigrant Family Preparation Toolkits
FREE Emergency Immigrant Family Preparation Toolkits
Download our FREE toolkit for families at risk of separation. It includes a to-do list, Know Your Rights cards, and FREE Power of Attorney forms. Toolkits are shown below on this page.
FREE Power of Attorney Forms
FREE Emergency Immigrant Family Preparation Toolkits
FREE In-Person Immigration Training Sessions & Presentations
Forward Latino offers FREE Power of Attorney forms for Property and Finance as well as temporary delegation of parental power so your children can be cared for by a family member or trusted friend while you are separated. The forms are part of the toolkit which are shown below on this page.
FREE In-Person Immigration Training Sessions & Presentations
FREE In-Person Immigration Training Sessions & Presentations
FREE In-Person Immigration Training Sessions & Presentations
Forward Latino provides in-person and online immigration rights training and assistance with completing Power of Attorney forms. Complete the following form to request our Immigrant Family Preparedness, Know Your Rights and Power of Attorney Form Training or to request our IMMIGRATION: Fiction, Facts & Faith presentation for your faith-based organization click on English Form or Spanish Form.
FREE Spanish Pastoral & Emotional Care
FREE In-Person Immigration Training Sessions & Presentations
FREE Spanish Pastoral & Emotional Care
Forward Latino provides FREE Pastoral and emotional care. Call us at (414)338-9071 and request Pastoral & Emotional Care Department.
Report ICE or CBP Rights Violations
FREE In-Person Immigration Training Sessions & Presentations
FREE Spanish Pastoral & Emotional Care
Witness a detention? Concerned that Constitutional rights were violated and proper procedure not followed? Report it immediately at English Form or Spanish Form .
Emergency Immigrant Family Preparation To-Do List
Plan, Don't Panic!
Forward Latino has developed this toolkit for individuals at risk of detention or deportation by U.S. immigration officials. It is important to complete these tasks with the assistance of a licensed immigration attorney prior to being detained. For individuals who do have lawful immigration status, we encourage you to carry your green card, work permit, or other evidence of status with you at all times. If you have any questions, please call us at (414)338-9071.
1. Establish your emergency contact and create a family plan
○ Your Emergency Contact should be someone lawfully present in the United States if possible,
has a mobile phone and is readily available 24 hours a day.
○ Your family plan should detail actions your family should take should separation occur.
2. Organize all your immigration-related documents
○ Organize all of your documents, including your visa, passport, green card, birth certificate,
work permits, and any other immigration related papers.
○ Keep copies of all your documents in a safe place and share copies with your immigration
attorney.
3. Establish a relationship with a licensed immigration attorney that provides removal
defense services.
○ Review your immigration situation to determine if there is a pathway to legalization.
○ Review methods to contact attorney should separation occur after hours.
○ Review your legal rights.
○ Provide copies of your immigration-related documents
○ Memorize your immigration attorney’s phone number as mobile phones are frequently
removed from individuals in detention.
4. Establish a Power of Attorney(s) to manage your personal affairs.
○ A Power of Attorney for Finance & Property will allow your agent to make decision on your
behalf as detailed in the form. A Wisconsin PoA for Finance & Property is included in this
toolkit.
○ A Power of Attorney for Delegating Parental Power will allow your agent to make decisions for
your children as detailed in the form. A Wisconsin PoA for Delegating Parental Power is
included in this toolkit.
○ Agents must be 18 years or older and competent. It is recommended that they be lawfully
present in the United States.
○ While Power of Attorney forms do not need to be notarized, we recommend doing so if
possible.
5. Avoid Criminal Activity and contact with those engaged in criminal activity.
○ Adhere to all laws an avoid any actions or individuals engaged in such actions that could lead
to interactions with law enforcement. With recent changes, even minor offenses can impact
your immigration status.
○ If arrested for a crime, consult with both your criminal and immigration attorneys before
accepting any plea deals or signing any legal agreements as it might impact your immigration
status.
6. Plan Financially
Ensure you have access to funds to cover legal fees, possible bonds and fines, and other
expenses related to your case. Consider setting up a separate savings account for these
purposes.
Forward LATINO
About Us
Our Programs & Issues
Our Programs & Issues
Our amazing team comes from varying for profit and non-profit backgrounds and all have a long record of commitment and service to our nations Hispanic community on issues ranging from civil rights, civic engagement, education, immigration and more.
Our Programs & Issues
Our Programs & Issues
Our Programs & Issues
From Civil Rights, Civic Engagement, Immigration, DACA, Drivers Permits, Gun Violence Prevention Instate Tuition and Youth Programming, Forward Latino allows our members to focus their efforts on the issues they are most passionate about.
Our Mission
Our Programs & Issues
Our Mission
Forward Latino empowers affiliates to inspire and engage communities, strengthen our democracy, improve the lives of working families, protect the environment, and stand up for equality and civil rights. We cultivate, train, and support a diverse national network of Latina/o/x community leaders addressing the civic, economic, and political challenges of the 21st century.