I N D I A N A L A T I N O
L E G I S L A T I V E A G E N D A 2 0 2 5
O u r m i s s i o n i s t o a d v a n c e L a t i n o e d u c a t i o n a l
a t t a i n m e n t a n d w o r k f o r c e p r e p a r e d n e s s s t a t e w i d e
t h r o u g h a d v o c a c y , l e a d e r s h i p d e v e l o p m e n t , a n d
c u l t u r a l l y r e s p o n s i v e p r o g r a m m i n g .
Over the course of the Indiana Latino Institute's (ILI) existence, ILI has offered effective programs and strong initiatives that have served Latinos throughout the state of Indiana.
Established in 2001 as a statewide effort to aid Latino-serving organizations, ILI originally concentrated specifically on health-related programming. Over the years, ILI has grown to address other issues of importance to Indiana’s Latino communities such as educational support and an increased dedication to cultivating Latino leadership.
Communities must be able to navigate the systems that are in place in order for them to thrive. One’s ability to maneuver successfully within these systems can determine how they progress or regress. Here at ILI we provide comprehensive supports for people to navigate these systems as well as the complex society we live in.
Statewide, our community consists of over 600,000 individuals of Latino descent. This is approximately 9% of Indiana’s total population, ranking Indiana with the 21st largest Latino population in the US. As the Indiana Latino population increases, it is imperative that our elected leaders recognize and address important issues that impact our community.
ILI’s 2025 Legislative Agenda reflects where the issues currently stand and provides insight into the goals ILI and other advocates hope to achieve. It is critical that we have public policy that addresses economic improvement through workforce development, education, health, and public safety to positively impact Indiana socially, culturally, and economically.
As a trusted voice for the Indiana Latino community, we must continue to move forward in all our organizational efforts. It is our hope that you will join us in our endeavors.
The Indiana Latino Institute convened a group of representatives from Indiana’s nine Congressional Districts to form the Latino Legislative Committee. The committee's purpose is to discuss the state’s current legislative landscape and devise a plan to better serve Latinos. This group provides insight into their communities to improve ILI's legislative priorities, lifting Latino voices statewide.
DISTRICT 1
Valentine Torres
Lydia McNeiley
DISTRICT 2
Savino Rivera
Berto Leal
DISTRICT 3
Dr. JoAnne Alvarez
Steve Corona
DISTRICT 4
Cassandra Salazar
Paola Torreblanca-Fischer
DISTRICT 5
Monica Hingst
DISTRICT 6
Luz Elena Michel
Matt Souza
DISTRICT 7
Sheryl Gonzalez
Tracy Guerrero
DISTRICT 8
Evelyn Rivas
Dennis Tedrow
DISTRICT 9
Juan Cano
15.3%
Though 8.8% of Indiana's total population is Latino [24], Latino/Hispanic students comprise 15.3% of K–12 public school enrollment [12], establishing them as the largest minority student group in Indiana’s public schools. Hispanic students are often at a disadvantage when entering the K–12 pipeline. These disadvantages stem from parents’ immigrant and socioeconomic status, parents’ lack of understanding of the U.S. education system, language barriers, and a lack of support and resources from their school, such as qualified and culturally trained teachers [21]. Additional data highlights the shortage of qualified and culturally trained teachers as a barrier to academic success for Latino students. With over 98,374 or 9.5% of students identified as English Language Learners (ELL), the availability of only 2,289 qualified ELL educators (1 teacher per 36.26 ELL students) accentuates a critical gap, leaving many Latino ELL students without the proper academic support to stay on par academically with their peers [13, 20].
In a rapidly changing world with “skill instabilities," a college education remains important for students to adapt to different career demands and decrease the risk of unemployment and poverty [26] Across the country, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on college going rates, decreasing the enrollment rates for Latino students in Indiana from 49% (2019) to 44% (2020) [9]. Data from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) College Readiness Dashboard indicates that Latino college going rates dropped to 43% [31]. Moreover, undocumented students still struggle to access higher education, facing tuition restrictions at state institutions. Approximately 100,400 undocumented immigrants live in Indiana, making up 1.5% of the state's population [8].
Expand access for Latino families to participate in quality earlychildhood education programs, using state resources for continuing subsidies for families and grants to programs
Increase funding to support English Learners
Increase college access for Latino high schoolers by setting a statewide goal for dual credit participation
Approximately
[8] immigrants live in Indiana undocumented 100,400
Diversify the teaching profession and increase teacher pay
Offer in-state tuition for undocumented postsecondary students
Add minority completion metrics to the state’s higher education performance-funding formula
Offer financial incentives for postsecondary institutions to serve more Latino and other underrepresented students
Indiana ranks 35th in overall health, with concerning disparities affecting minority communities, particularly Latinos [23]. Disturbingly, Latino middle schoolers exhibit the highest smoking rates, and Hispanic adults face elevated risks of cancer and heart disease [14]. Suicide rates spiked among Hispanics aged 10–24 and 25–34, making it the 3rd leading cause of death among these age groups [22]. COVID-19 and tobacco use pose significant threats, claiming lives among Latino Hoosiers. Notably, Latinos face a 1.8 times higher risk of COVID-19 mortality compared to their White counterparts, with only 9% of the Hispanic/Latino population in Indiana being up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations [3].
Increase cigarette tax by $2.00 per pack to reduce smoking, with a parallel tax on other tobacco products, including e-cigarettes/vaping products
Decrease tobacco and e-cigarette product appeal and marketing to young people, specifically:
Restrict marketing and advertising to youth
Removal of flavorings in tobacco and e-cigarettes
Increase public health professionals’ outreach to Latinos, raising vaccine rates for COVID-19, flu, and other illnesses
IN INDIANA CONTINUE TO SMOKE. LUNG CANCER IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF CANCER DEATHS AMONG LATINO MEN AND SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF CANCER DEATHS AMONG LATINA WOMEN
Increase outreach to Latinos to promote mental health literacy and awareness
Indiana has untapped potential within the growing Latino community for business growth and employment. The trends in economic and demographic data predict that Latinos will become the largest drivers of population increases in Indiana and its counties. With a larger population, Indiana’s future workforce will increasingly be Latino. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Hispanics are driving labor force growth in the United States and are projected to account for 78% of all net new workers between 2020 and 2030 [4]. With over 600,000 Hispanics/Latinos making up 8.8% of the population, Latinos bring in $1.1 billion in revenue to Indiana’s economy through their owned businesses, and Hispanic immigrants contribute $567.3 million in taxes paid [10]. Yet, Latinos make up a considerable proportion of the poverty rates in Indiana, accounting for 15.9% of the total poverty rates, considerably higher than their White counterparts [16].
The COVID-19 pandemic had a disproportional and negative effect on Latino workers, as they are overrepresented in industries that were impacted by emergency shutdowns, such as the service industry [7]. Latinos accounted for 23% of the initial jobs lost nationwide after federal restrictions and stay-at-home orders [25]. Latina workers likewise had the highest unemployment rate of any racial, ethnic, or gender group in April 2020, at 20.1%, with employment rates still below pre-pandemic levels in January 2021 [25].
Increase resources to launch and expand Latino-owned small businesses
Improve public transit and infrastructure for Latino student transit
Increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour
Increase access to affordable, high-quality childcare and early education
Offer professional licensure opportunities to all undocumented professionals graduating from accredited institutions is contributed by Latino owned businesses to Indiana’s Economy.
$1.1 Billion
Facilitating essential mobility for the professional advancement and economic prosperity of undocumented students and those with immigrant parents is crucial. Yet, within the Latino community, a pervasive fear exists that a simple traffic violation might result in a parent's deportation. This apprehension is intensified by incidents eroding trust between communities and law enforcement. Consequently, these Latinos forego internship opportunities, job prospects, higher education, and even high school, all stemming from safety concerns in private transportation, especially in rural Indiana.
have driver’s licenses for undocumented individuals
The Indiana Latino Institute advocates for extending driving privileges to all immigrants in the state. Enabling this policy would not only foster collaborative relationships but also generate an anticipated $7.2 million in new state-budget revenue and an additional $68 million for the auto insurance industry alone, and it would decrease fatal hit-and-run incidences by 3.6% in Indiana [1]. Establishing trustful partnerships between immigrants, irrespective of status, and local law enforcement would enhance crime investigations and alleviate tensions. Indiana's journey toward diversity, equity, and inclusion should encompass safeguarding hate crime victims, implementing law enforcement best practices and training, and enhancing access to court processes for limited-English-speaking Latinos.
Offer driver’s cards for undocumented immigrants
Strengthen penalties for biased crimes
Fund law-enforcement reforms and training, including culture and language programming
Improve language translation services in Indiana courts and administrative proceedings
Full civic participation allows community voices to be heard. Representatives from disadvantaged groups have been traditionally left out of policy development. As the second-largest minority population in the state, Latino representation in positions of authority and influence is important. According to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), less than four dozen Latino Hoosiers hold elected positions. In the General Assembly,
only five members of the 150 elected officials 3.33% of the legislative body—identify as Latino. Latino elected officials are woefully absent from town, city, and county councils. Latino voices are missing from the local discourse on education policy and practice. Latino students make up 15% of the student body in almost 300 Indiana school districts. In contrast, less than two dozen of the 1,500 school board members identify as Latino (1.6%) [6]. The Indiana Latino Institute encourages the diversification of leadership positions in an effort to connect with the growing Latino community. Efforts should be made to increase young Latino Hoosiers awareness of their civic duty and how to fulfill it.
Civic participation in public policy is not confined to elected roles. Beyond the underrepresentation of Latinos in elected positions at all levels, their participation is also lacking in appointed boards and commissions. These bodies play a crucial role in debating and adopting public policy regulations and systemic practices that directly impact the Latino community. It is essential for the Latino voice to be heard in state, county, and local appointed and executive positions to ensure proper representation and support for the Latino community. ILI encourages Indiana leaders to appoint Latinos to senior agency positions and boards and commissions.
Facilitate voter engagement
Diversify executive and legislative branch staffing
Appoint a Latino leader to the Indiana State Board of Education
Appoint a Latino leader to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education
[1] Aimone, P., et al. (2021). Safer Roads, A Stronger Indiana: Projected Social and Economic Effects of Driving Privilege Card Legislation in Indiana. Notre Dame Student Policy Network, Working Paper Series (No. 1).
[2] American Cancer Society. (2022). Cancer Facts & Figures| Hispanics-Latinos | American Cancer Society. Www.cancer.org. https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics/hispanics-latinos-facts-figures.html
[3] Coronavirus (COVID-19), N. (2021, November 24). Vaccine Dashboard. Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/vaccine/vaccine-dashboard/
[4] Dubina, K. (2021, September 15). Hispanics in the Labor Force: 5 Facts | U.S. Department of Labor Blog. Blog.dol.gov. https://blog.dol.gov/2021/09/15/hispanics-in-the-labor-force-5-facts
[5] Fairlie, R. (2018, January 1). Latino Business Ownership: Contributions and Barriers for U.S.-Born and Immigrant Latino Entrepreneurs. SBA’s Office of Advocacy. https://advocacy.sba.gov/2018/01/01/latino-business-ownership-contributions-and-barriers-for-u-s-born-and-immigrant-latinoentrepreneurs/
[6] Gazette, A. S. (2023, December 26). New Indiana task force focuses on Latino students. Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. https://www.journalgazette.net/local/schools/new-indiana-task-force-focuses-on-latino-students/article 303414da-a28d-11ee-99802b191574db69.html#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20institute%2C%20fewer
[7] Gould, E., Perez, D., & Wilson, V. (2020, August 20). Latinx workers—particularly women—face devastating job losses in the COVID-19 recession. Economic Policy Institute. https://www.epi.org/publication/latinx-workers-covid/
[8] Higher Ed Immigration Portal. (2023). Indiana - Data on Immigrant Students | Higher Ed Immigration Portal. Presidents’ Alliance. https://www.higheredimmigrationportal.org/state/indiana/
[9] Indiana Commission for Higher Education. (2023). INDIANA COLLEGE READINESS REPORT 2022. https://www.in.gov/che/files/2022 College Readiness Report 06 20 2022.pdf
[10] Indiana Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs. (2020). 2020-2022 STRATEGIC PLAN. https://www.in.gov/ichla/files/Strategic-Plan-20202022-2.pdf
[11] Indiana Department of Education. (2020). Educators. INview. https://inview.doe.in.gov/state/1088000000/educator
[12] Indiana Department of Education. (2021, October 1). Indiana | Indiana. Inview.doe.in.gov. https://inview.doe.in.gov/state/1088000000/population
[13] Indiana Department of Education. (2023, July). 2023-2024 English Learner Guidebooks. Files.eric.ed. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED630827.pdf
[14] Indiana Department of Health. (2022). Hispanic Indiana Adults and Smoking. https://www.in.gov/health/tpc/files/Hispanic-Indiana-Adultsand-Smoking.pdf
[15] Indiana University Indianapolis. (2016). Report on the Tobacco Epidemic in Marion County and Indiana. https://fsph.iupui.edu/doc/community/Richard M. Fairbanks Tobacco Report September 2016.pdf
[16] KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION. (2022). Poverty Rate by Race/Ethnicity. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/other/stateindicator/poverty-rate-by-raceethnicity/?currentTimeframe=0&sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22
[17] Medrano, L. (2023, April 28). Hispanic people – especially men – are less likely to see a doctor, and the reasons can be complex. Www.heart.org. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2023/05/01/hispanic-people-especially-men-are-less-likely-to-see-adoctor#:~:text=The%20reasons%20many%20Latino%20people%20stay%20away%20from%20the%20doctor
[18] Periscopic. (2021). A Stronger Nation: Lumina Foundation. Www.luminafoundation.org. https://www.luminafoundation.org/strongernation/report/#/progress/state/IN
[19] Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation. (2023). Education. Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation. https://www.rmff.org/community-datasnapshot/education/
[20] Rodriguez, C. (2022, November 3). Some Indiana schools may be failing to meet staffing rules for English learner students. Chalkbeat. https://www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2022/11/3/23437484/indiana-english-learner-students-teachers-staffing-shortage-federal-requirement/
[21] Schhneider, B., Martinez, S., & Ownes, A. (2010). Barriers to Educational Opportunities for Hispanics in the United States. Nih.gov; National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19909/
[22] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019, April 8). Hispanic/Latino. Samhsa.gov. https://www.samhsa.gov/behavioral-health-equity/hispanic-latino
[23] United Health Foundation. (2022). America’s Health Rankings | AHR. America’s Health Rankings. https://www.americashealthrankings.org/learn/reports/2022-annual-report/state-rankings
[24] United States Census Bureau. (2020). Explore Census Data. Data.census.gov. https://data.census.gov/profile/Indiana?g=040XX00US18
[25] Zamarripa, R., & Roque, L. (2021, March 5). Latinos Face Disproportionate Health and Economic Impacts From COVID-19. Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/latinos-face-disproportionate-health-economic-impacts-covid-19/
[26] World Economic Forum. (2023). The Future of Jobs Report 2023. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-ofjobs-report-2023/in-full/4-skills-outlook/
[27] Campaign for Tobacco Free-Kids. (2023, November 21). The Toll of Tobacco in Indiana. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/problem/toll-us/indiana
[28] United States Census Bureau. (2022). Explore Census Data. Data.census.gov. https://data.census.gov/table/ACSSPP1Y2022.S0201? t=-09:Income%20and%20Poverty&g=040XX00US18&y=2022
[29] National Conference of State Legislators. (2023, March 13). States Offering Driver’s Licenses to Immigrants. Www.ncsl.org.
https://www.ncsl.org/immigration/states-offering-drivers-licenses-to-immigrants
[30] Indiana General Assembly. (2024). Indiana General Assembly. Iga.in.gov. https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2024/legislators
[31] CHE. (2020, December 10). College Readiness Dashboard. CHE. https://www.in.gov/che/college-readiness-reports/college-readinessdashboard/
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