NHMC Statement on Senator Alex Padilla’s Forced Removal

June 12, 2025

(Photo Credit: Office of Senator Alex Padilla)

Statement on Behalf of Brenda Victoria Castillo, President and CEO, National Hispanic Media Coalition, on U.S.  Senator Alex Padilla Forced Removal During DHS Press Conference

After a horrific week of illegal kidnappings of our loved ones, friends, and neighbors by ICE in Los Angeles, Secret Service and Homeland Security Secretary Noem now have the inexcusable audacity to forcefully remove, throw to the ground, handcuff, and detain U.S. Senator Alex Padilla who represents our home state of California. 

It did not matter to them that he asked a civil question in a calm manner to exercise his freedom of speech; it did not matter to them that he is a sitting United States Senator with oversight authority of DHS granted by the checks and balances of our Constitution. It only mattered that he was a Latino man challenging the inhumane actions of this administration. 

This is another link in their chain to dismantle our democracy and strip our community of our dignity and humanity. NHMC commends Senator Padilla for his courage and stands with him to share a clear message: we cannot and will not be silenced in the face of injustice.

Yours in the Movement, 

Brenda Victoria Castillo

President & CEO

National Hispanic Media Coalition

National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is a woman-led 501(c)(3) non-profit, nonpartisan, civil and human rights organization that was founded to eliminate hate, discrimination, and racism toward Latino and marginalized communities.

We educate and increase Latino visibility from our policy work in Washington, D.C., to our media advocacy work in Hollywood, where we connect, collaborate, and create with talent within the entertainment industry.

We lead the work to eliminate online hate and disinformation across media platforms. We advocate for the Affordable Connectivity Program, Lifeline Program, Net Neutrality protections, and closing the digital divide for Latino and other marginalized communities. NHMC works in partnership with other social justice organizations to safeguard democracy in the United States of America.

NHMC is a not-for-profit, and provides equal opportunities to all individuals without regard to race, religion, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by law
© 2025 National Hispanic Media Coalition // communications@nhmc.org // o. (626) 792-6462
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