Congratulations James Walkinshaw

Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw, a former chief of staff to the late Rep. Gerry Connolly, has secured the Democratic nomination to fill Connolly’s seat in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. A two-term supervisor representing the Braddock District, Walkinshaw will run in the Sept. 9 special election and face Republican nominee Stewart Whitson, a legal director at the Foundation for Government Accountability, a Florida-based conservative public policy think tank that primarily focuses on reducing restrictions on teenage workers and blocking the expansion of Medicaid.

Meet the Judges Who Aren’t Judges, in the Court That Isn’t a Court

In the grand theater of American constitutional government, immigration courts play a curious role. They wear the robes, wield gavels, and pass judgment, but here’s the twist: immigration judges are not part of the Constitution's Article III Judiciary. In fact, they’re not even judges in the constitutional sense. They’re employees of the executive branch, nestled comfortably under Article II, serving at the pleasure of the Attorney General; yes, the same official who prosecutes immigration cases. That’s right: the judge and the prosecutor both report to the same boss. Fair and impartial justice, anyone?

This sleight of hand was made possible by Congress, the Article I branch, whose job is to write laws and jealously guard its power. But instead of oversight, Congress has outsourced vast legislative authority to the executive branch. It gave the Attorney General control over immigration courts and then stood back with a shrug, perhaps too busy renaming post offices to notice.

So now we have “judges” who aren’t Article III judges, operating in a pseudo-court system where due process is often an aspiration, not a guarantee. Appeals don’t go to an independent court, but first to the Board of Immigration Appeals, also under the Justice Department. It’s like being able to appeal your boss’s decision to... your boss’s other employee.

Meanwhile, the true Article III judiciary, designed by the Framers to be independent and immune from political interference, watches from the constitutional balcony while the executive plays judge, jury, and deporter.

The irony? Those fleeing authoritarian regimes might find their fates decided in a system that resembles the very governments they’re escaping. Separation of powers? Only on paper. In practice, it's more of a group project where one branch does all the work—and the rest just sign the cover sheet.

Maritza Zermeño

Chair, Latino Caucus

Star witness against Kilmar Abrego Garcia won’t be deported, court records show

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Updated 3:38 PM EDT, June 29, 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) — Court records show that the Trump administration has agreed to spare from deportation a key witness in the federal prosecution of Kilmar Abrego Garcia in exchange for his cooperation in the case.

Jose Ramon Hernandez Reyes, 38, has been convicted of smuggling migrants and illegally reentering the United States after having been deported. He also pleaded guilty to “deadly conduct” in connection with a separate incident where he drunkenly fired a gun in a Texas community.

Records reviewed by The Washington Post show that Hernandez Reyes has been released early from federal prison to a halfway house and has been given permission to stay in the U.S. for at least a year.

Prosecutors have identified Hernandez Reyes as the “first cooperator” in the case against Abrego, according to court filings. The Department of Homeland Security maintains that Hernandez owned the SUV that Abrego Garcia was allegedly using to smuggle migrants when the Tennessee Highway Patrol stopped him in 2022. That traffic stop is at the center of the criminal investigation against Abrego Garcia.

Read the entire article HERE.

Current Events - Eventos Actuales

TRUMP ADMIN PLANS TO RE-DEPORT KILMAR ABREGO GARCIA AS CRIMINAL CASE FALTERS

A judge recently slammed the Justice Department's case against the man the administration illegally deported to El Salvador

By NIKKI MCCANN RAMIREZ

June 26, 2025

The Trump administration is preparing to once again deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia as their push to criminally prosecute the man they wrongfully imprisoned in a Salvadoran human rights sinkhole flounders in court. 

During a Thursday hearing in Maryland — Abrego Garcia’s state of residence — the Justice Department reportedly informed the court that once Abrego Garcia is released from federal custody on bail, as a judge recently ordered, they plan to have him arrested by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). DOJ attorney Jonathan Guynn said the government would then initiate the process of deporting Abrego Garcia to a third-party nation that is not El Salvador, his country of birth and where a judge previously barred his deportation over concerns for his safety. 

The Supreme Court ruled earlier this week that the Trump administration can deport people to places other than their country of origin — including Libya and South Sudan — with little notice. It’s unclear where they would attempt to send Abrego Garcia.  

The Trump administration’s posturing that Abrego Garcia is a dangerous criminal, and that they only extracted him from El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison to make him answer for his crimes, was exactly what it seemed: a flimsy cover for the fact that he was deported illegally and in such an egregious manner that the Supreme Court ordered his return. It was a most malicious form of compliance, abusing a man and his family in service of political psychodrama. 

The Justice Department’s accusations against Abrego Garica [sic] were filleted in court earlier this week, when U.S. Magistrate Barbara D. Holmes ordered his release on bail. In her written decision, Holmes laid bare that the government’s allegations against Abrego Garcia, namely that he was a criminal human smuggler affiliated with MS-13, were based on little more than hearsay from questionable witnesses, almost physically impossible scenarios, and inadmissible innuendo. 

“The government cannot simply rely on the general reputation of a particular street gang to satisfy its burden,” Holmes wrote. “The government’s evidence that Abrego is a member of MS-13 consists of general statements, all double hearsay […] the government’s evidence of Abrego’s alleged gang membership is simply insufficient.”

Holmes acknowledged that even though the government failed to prove it had reasonable cause to detain Abgrego Garcia without bail over the course of his trial, he would likely be re-arrested almost immediately by ICE. His right to due process, however, was the “foundation of the administration of our criminal law depends on the bedrock of due process,” she wrote. 

It seems that Holmes was mistaken on at least one point. The government apparently does not plan to have Abrego Garcia tried at all. Instead, Trump officials will move to disappear him to another country as soon as they can, before he has a chance to speak to the abuses leveled upon him at their hands.  

Latinos for Trump Feel Betrayed as Nonviolent Immigrants Face Deportation

MSNBC Morning Joe segment from June 26, 2025

Events - Eventos

Norfolk Latino Music Festival

July 19, 2025 @ 2 - 11 pm

Town Point Park,

Downtown Norfolk Waterfront

Free & Open to the Public!

24th Annual Norfolk Latino Music Festival. Eat, drink, and salsa the night away. Featuring explosive live music performances, an eclectic offering of Latin cuisine including tacos and empanadas, fun family-friendly activities, authentic dance lessons and performances, and much more, the festival celebrates Hampton Roads’ vibrant Latin community! Learn more HERE.

Latino Leaders Network 8th Cafecito Series



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.

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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