June 12, 2025
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
