August 26, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (D-Texas-20), Democratic co-chairs of the Senate and House Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Caucuses, issued the following joint statement condemning the Trump Administration’s recent letter declaring that they will no longer defend the $350 million HSI annual grant program in court, effectively ending the program:

Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

“The Trump Administration’s refusal to defend the Hispanic-Serving Institutions program will jeopardize the education of not only the two thirds of all Latino college students who attend HSIs, but of millions of students from all backgrounds who attend these important institutions across the country.

“A good education is the foundation of the American Dream and builds up our workforce. Stripping institutions of this critical funding stream simply because they serve Latino students is unjust and unsustainable. Our nation’s more than 600 HSIs play a key role in promoting America’s economic growth, and cutting off these vital resources would cause far more long-term damage than dollars saved.

“Make no mistake: the Trump Administration’s threat to shut off HSI funding is a threat to similar minority-serving programs across the country that are essential to educational equality and our economy. We will keep fighting to ensure HSIs have the support they need to uplift all students, including Latino communities.”

Hispanic-Serving Institutions are accredited, degree-granting, public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education with 25 percent or higher total undergraduate Hispanic or Latino full-time students. There are 615 HSIs in the United States that enroll 5.6 million Hispanic students, two-thirds of all Hispanic undergraduates, and 37 percent of total Pell recipients — empowering and improving communities. California is home to 171 HSIs and 43 Emerging HSIs.

Source: Senator Alex Padilla