Featured Speaker

Kelvin Garcia

Herndon Council Member

Kelvin Garcia is serving his first term on the Herndon Town Council. He serves as a traffic judge for the DC Department of Motor Vehicles, and he is also an assistant football coach at Herndon High School. He has represented the Hunter Mill district on the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Advisory Board. He has provided invaluable assistance for immigration cases at the request of the Latino Caucus.

Kelvin started a non-profit organization, Street Lawyer Foundation which is a Non profit organization focused on conducting research and educating the public on issues related to expungement of criminal records, providing an avenue for residents with dismissed cases to clear their name of criminal records which in turn helps them access housing, jobs and other meaningful opportunities.



Garcia holds degrees from the Roger Williams University and Virginia Tech, as well as a Juris Doctorate from The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law.

I.C.E. (left) and (right) new Afghanistan Army, Atomwaffen Division (AWD) international neo-Nazi terrorist organization, Hamas, ISIS, the Ku Klux Klan, Patriot Front white nationalist hate group, Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), Russian FSB and Taliban all use masks.



The psychological impact of a masked terrorist is powerful and deliberate. The mask creates an image of facelessness and anonymity, amplifying the sense of threat and unpredictability. This intimidation tactic heightens fear, as victims cannot read the attacker's emotions or intentions. Moreover, the mask serves a deeper psychological function through dehumanization. By covering their faces, terrorists often feel emotionally distanced from the violence they commit, making it easier to carry out brutal acts without confronting the humanity of their victims. At the same time, this faceless appearance strips them of individuality and makes them seem more like a symbol of terror than a person, which can have a lasting psychological effect on hostages, witnesses, and broader audiences.

Disabled veteran detained during immigration raid speaks out, alleges civil rights violations

by: Angelique Brenes

Posted: Jul 15, 2025

A 25-year-old disabled U.S. Army veteran who was detained during an immigration raid on a cannabis farm in Ventura County has spoken out for the first time, calling his arrest “a violation of my civil rights” and demanding a full investigation into the conduct of immigration agents involved in the operation.

George Retes, a U.S. citizen and security guard at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, was taken into federal custody on July 10 during what authorities described as a large-scale immigration enforcement action. The raid drew protests from farmworkers, advocacy groups, and the United Farm Workers Union, which initially reported Retes’ detention and later announced his release without charges.

In a statement to KTLA on Tuesday, Retes said he was “wrongfully detained by ICE agents while simply trying to report to work.” He alleged that he was pepper-sprayed, tear-gassed, had his car window smashed, and was forcibly removed from his vehicle at gunpoint — all while complying with orders and identifying himself as both a U.S. citizen and an employee.

“I clearly identified myself as a U.S. citizen and an employee at the farm,” Retes wrote, “yet federal agents ignored me, yelled conflicting orders, and then violently detained me.”

According to Retes, he was in custody for three days without being charged, without access to a phone call, and without legal representation. He said he was never told why he had been arrested and received no medical attention despite being “covered in tear gas and OC spray for days.”

“This is not how any American should be treated — especially not a veteran who served this country with honor,” he said. “I didn’t break any law. I was just trying to go to work.”

Read the entire story HERE or click above to see an interview on MSNBC.

Current Events - Eventos Actuales

Lin-Manuel Miranda will turn ‘Hamilton’ 10th anniversary into a fundraiser for immigration services

By GLENN GAMBOA

Updated July 17, 2025

Lin-Manuel Miranda plans to use the 10th anniversary Broadway performance of his award-winning cultural phenomenon “Hamilton” as a fundraiser for a coalition of nonprofits providing immigration services.

The Aug. 6 performance of “Hamilton” at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre is expected to raise about $3 million for the Immigrants: We Get the Job Done Coalition, 14 nonprofits ranging from the Hispanic Federation and National Immigration Law Center to the Haitian Bridge Alliance and the Tahirih Justice Center. The donation will come from Miranda, the Miranda Family and Miranda Family Fund, and the “Hamilton” cast.

It seemed like a fitting tribute to “Hamilton” and its inspiration, Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, Miranda told The Associated Press, though he recognizes that Hamilton wouldn’t have called himself an immigrant.

“His narrative in our country kind of mirrors that of an immigrant story,” Miranda said. “He did not grow up here. He didn’t come from England. He came from the Caribbean, escaping harsh circumstances. And he really helped shape this country.”

Miranda did exclusively reveal some plans for the special, invite-only “Hamilton” anniversary show and the preshow reception that he will host. Fans already know the possibilities after the special “Hamilton” medley at the Tonys in June. Even the audience will be “stacked,” he said, since every actor who has ever performed during the show’s Broadway run will be invited to be in the audience to watch the show’s current Broadway cast that night. “We’re working on something special for the curtain call and another nice special thing after that,” Miranda said. “That’s about all I can say.”

The bulk of the invites have gone to winners selected from a Prizeo sweepstakes, where entrants donated at least $10 to the Immigrants coalition. A few dozen VIP packages, ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, will be available Thursday through the Hispanic Federation, with proceeds also going to the coalition.

“One of America’s greatest exports -- at least for me growing up -- was the immigration narrative,” Miranda said. “So many people I know… came to this country from somewhere else seeking a better life and then helped make this country better by being here. And I believe that’s one of the greatest promises, one of greatest things about the American experiment, and I’ll continue to fight for that and support organizations that are helping that cause.”

● ● ●

And he remains surprised by the resonance of the line “Immigrants: We get the job done,” a line shared in the show by Hamilton and French military officer Marquis de Lafayette at the Battle of Yorktown.

“I thought it was no big deal,” he said. “But from the moment it was performed on stage, the audience reaction was so joyous at just the utterance of that simple fact. It’s one of the things that just heartens me and gives me hope. In these dark times, it still gets a big cheer.”

The cheering still requires the show to add extra measures of music to wait for the audience to calm down before continuing with the song “Yorktown.” Miranda attributes it to the fact that so many Americans are only one or two generations away from an immigrant.

Read the entire story HERE.

Are Voters Waking Up?

CNN Inside Politics Sunday

Opposition among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents has risen in that time from widespread to nearly universal: Ninety percent of Democratic-aligned adults now say that Trump’s deportation policy has gone too far, while just 15% of Republican-aligned adults say the same. A 57% majority also say they oppose plans to build new detention facilities capable of holding up to 100,000 undocumented immigrants, while 53% oppose increasing the budget for Immigration and Customs Enforcement by billions of dollars — two White House priorities reflected in the sweeping policy bill that Trump recently signed into law. #CNN #News

Are Republicans Waking Up?

Virginia Latino Leaders Council

The Virginia Latino Leaders Council held a lunch meeting on Saturday, July 19, 2025, with Latino leaders/activists in Virginia. The Council discussed how Latinos can make a difference in the upcoming November elections, and the best ways to address the challenges facing our immigrant community under the current administration.

The mission of the Virginia Latino Leaders Council (VLLC) is to promote Latino civic engagement in Virginia. As part of this mission, we promote Latino participation in local and state government through appointed and elective offices. We are proud of the work ethic and contributions made by Latinos and immigrants to Virginia's economy and to its quality of life, and we endorse candidates who equally hold these values. 

J. Walter Tejada is the President of the Virginia Latinos Leaders Council, and Andres Tobar is the Executive Director.

Click to download.

Events - Eventos

Latino Leaders Network

8th Cafecito Series

July 30, 2025

By invitation only, non-transferable 

info@latinoleadersnetwork.org​ for more information.

The Latino Leaders Network is proud to announce the 8th Cafecito Series on July 30th, 2025, at the National Education Association in Washington, DC, featuring Jasmin Chavez Cruz as the recipient of our Rising Star Award! 🌟 This prestigious award celebrates a rising Latino/a changemaker demonstrating remarkable leadership, potential, and commitment to community impact.

Read her biography HERE.

Click the picture to learn more.

4th Annual

Bachata Vida

Summer Festival

July 31 - August 3, 2025

Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th St.

Virginia Beach, VA, 23451

Four Days, 40 Hours of Bachata & Salsa Dancing! 

Escape to the Beach! With all of the uncertainty and craziness in the world the dance floor is your place to unwind! The only "pop-up" Latin Dance Festival in the US! With 8 locations, it's not your usual festival, it's different. No matter if you are a beginner or advanced dancer, we have something for YOU! Dance classes for every level including a beginner's package, dance parties, sunrise social, and more are all waiting for you... at the beach! Learn more HERE.

UNIDOS

Annual Conference

August 5-7, 2025

Kansas City, MO

UnidosUS is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that serves as the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Since our founding in 1968, we have contributed to a stronger America by elevating the voice of Latinos, and defending and advancing our community’s concerns.

¿Qué Pasa?

Festival of Herndon

September 14, 2025 @ 12 - 6 pm

Lynn Street & Surrounding Areas

777 Lynn St., Herndon, VA 20170

Kick-off Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating at the annual ¿Qué Pasa? Festival of Herndon! This festival features a diverse array of activities, including live music and performances, authentic Latin/Hispanic cuisine, artisanal crafts, interactive workshops, and much more. Attendees can expect to be immersed in the vibrant Latin/Hispanic culture, experiencing the sights, rhythmic sounds, and incredible flavors that make it so unique.

Festival Latinoamericano

September 27, 2025 @ 5 - 9 pm

Arlington Mill Community Center

909 S Dinwiddie St, Arlington, VA 22204

Enjoy the rich tapestry of Latin American art, food, and culture found right here in Arlington, celebrating the vibrant and diverse cultures that enrich our community. Our mission is to showcase the rich tapestry of Latin American art, food, and culture in Arlington County, providing a platform for local artists, chefs, and performers to share their talents and traditions with the public.

Festival Latinoamericano is FREE. Registration is not required, but heavily encouraged to allow us to have an accurate count of anticipated attendance.

Manassas Latino Festival

September 27, 2025 @ 11 am - 6 pm

The Loy E. Harris Pavilion

9201 Center Street

Manassas, VA 20110

The Manassas Latino Festival is an annual event which includes live music, dance performances, diverse foods and other fun activities for the entire family, all in celebration of the cultural heritage and contributions of the Latin American community to our City, surrounding areas and to our nation. 

The Manassas Latino Festival is a project of Sambos USA, Inc.

Fiesta DC

September 27 & 28 @ 11 am - 7 pm

Pennsylvania Ave NW

between 7th NW and 3rd St NW

Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Fiesta DC! This two-day extravaganza transforms Washington, D.C. into a global fiesta celebrating Latino cultures. Savor authentic and diverse Latin American cuisine, lose yourself in the infectious rhythms of live music and dance performances, and explore a marketplace brimming with handcrafted artisan creations. Fiesta DC is a celebration for all ages, offering engaging activities and fostering a spirit of community and cultural exchange.

Meet the Candidates and Get Involved

We have excellent candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. Click on any picture to learn more about the candidate and how you can help.

Abigail Spanberger

for Governor

Ghazala Hashmi

for Lieutenant Governor

Jay Jones

for Attorney General

https://www.youtube.com/@FCDCLatinoCaucus

Latino Caucus

Fairfax County

Democratic Committee

Click HERE to join FCDC

www.FairfaxDemocrats.org

 ‌or HERE to join our mailing list



Maritza Zermeño — Chair

Marta Calderon — Secretary

Leonel Rojas — Social Media Master



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