A Special Message
𝗔 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲, 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆𝗹 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻, 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗼:
To our members, affiliates, allies, and friends across this great nation:
Thank you.
Thank you for your tireless efforts to ensure that every eligible American had the opportunity to make their voice heard through their vote. From those who knocked on doors and made phone calls to those who educated voters, defended their rights, and stood watch at polling places, your dedication to our democracy has been extraordinary.
In recent years, we have endured a global pandemic, witnessed a devastating invasion and ongoing war in Eastern Europe, and are living through a period in which hatred, division, and cruelty seem endless. We once believed that some of humanity's darkest chapters had been relegated to history. Instead, we have been painfully reminded that the freedoms, dignity, and democratic principles we cherish can never be taken for granted. They must be defended by every generation.
For generations, the Latino and Hispanic community has too often been marginalized, its contributions minimized, and its voices overlooked. Over the past two years, we have witnessed something even more disturbing, the dehumanization of our neighbors, friends, coworkers, and families, not merely by individuals with darkness in their hearts, but through policies and actions of our own federal government.
Never would I have imagined witnessing such things in the United States of America.
The tragic deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two individuals whose actions reflected their deeply held convictions and concern for others, brought these injustices into sharper focus for countless Americans who had not fully understood the suffering so many in our communities have endured. Today, we mourn their loss, honor their memory, and renew our solemn pledge to confront hatred and injustice wherever they exist.
There is much in our nation that is broken. Wounds must heal, institutions must regain the public's trust, and relationships must be repaired.
But healing must begin with our willingness to set aside our differences without abandoning our principles.
We must demand honest debate grounded in facts rather than fear, reason rather than resentment, and mutual respect rather than contempt. We must restore a government in which the interests of the people take precedence over the ambitions of the powerful, where accountability is expected, transparency is demanded, and every person's dignity is respected.
Last night's elections demonstrated the extraordinary power of Americans coming together across differences in race, faith, ethnicity, gender, age, orientation, and economic circumstance to exercise one of our most fundamental democratic rights. Their participation calls for humanity, accountability, transparency, and a government that serves all its people.
This moment was not made possible by any one individual or organization. It was made possible by coalitions of neighbors, community organizations, people of different faith traditions, veterans, civil rights advocates, and countless others who inspired ordinary Americans to do extraordinary things.
People who refused to surrender to fear. People who believed their voices mattered. People who understood that democracy is not merely an ideal to be admired, but a responsibility to be shared and a promise to be fulfilled.
Our great American experiment continues. And for that, I am profoundly grateful.
To our members, affiliates, and allies across the country, thank you for standing together, even when doing so required tremendous courage and sacrifice.
To those who sat in the pews and prayed, then bravely rose to defend the dignity of their fellow human beings, thank you for putting your faith into action.
Our faith must be reflected not only in what we profess, but in how we live, how we welcome the stranger, defend the vulnerable, comfort the suffering, and confront injustice.
True faith calls us not merely to witness suffering, but to respond with compassion, courage, and action.
To those who stood in the face of intimidation, defended the rights of strangers, and refused to allow hatred to have the final word, thank you for reminding us what it means to live our faith and uphold the highest ideals of our nation.
And to those who awaken this morning still living in fear, separated from loved ones, suffering injustice, or wondering whether anyone cares about their plight, I offer this solemn promise:
You are not alone. You are not forgotten. You are seen. You are heard. And Forward Latino, together with our members, affiliates, friends, and allies, will continue coming to your aid, standing by your side, and fighting for your dignity and rights.
Our work is far from finished.
Elections alone cannot heal every wound, reunite every family, or right every wrong. But they remind us that the power to shape our nation's future ultimately rests not with any one president, political party, or institution, but with the American people.
Let us move forward not with vengeance, but with conviction. Not with hatred, but with humanity. Not divided by our differences, but strengthened by our shared commitment to liberty, justice, and the inherent dignity of every person.
Let us rediscover the ability to disagree without becoming enemies, to debate without dehumanizing, and to recognize that our common humanity is greater than the differences that divide us.
May we have the courage to seek justice without hatred, to pursue accountability without vengeance, and to embrace reconciliation without surrendering the truth.
May we never forget those who have suffered, those who have sacrificed, and those who still look to us for hope.
And may we remember that the promise of America has never been that we are a perfect nation, but that we are a nation capable of confronting our failures, correcting our course, and striving toward a more perfect union.
Our democracy endures because ordinary people refuse to give up on its extraordinary promise.
To each of you who helped make your neighbors' voices heard, stood up for someone you may never meet, and chose hope over despair, thank you for keeping the promise of America alive.
May God bless each of you, may God comfort those who suffer, may He guide us toward healing and reconciliation, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.
With profound gratitude,
Darryl Morin
National President
Forward Latino, Inc.
Is your family at risk of separation? Plan, don't panic!
FREE Attorney Referral
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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.