The NALEO Educational Fund provides national leadership for important public discussions on the key issues affecting Latino participation in our political process, including immigration and naturalization, election reform, the Census, and the appointment of qualified Latinos to top government executive and judicial positions. Additionally, policymakers at all
levels of government rely on the Fund's expertise to ensure that the perspectives of the Latino community are incorporated into their policy proposals. The NALEO Educational Fund also conducts civic research that provides the public with invaluable information about Latino political engagement and impact.

The Latino Vote

The 2008 general election was the third consecutive presidential contest in which the Latino vote played a key role
in determining the outcome. A record 9.7 million voters voted on November 4, 2008 an increase of 2.2 million voters
(30%) from November 2004. With the 2012 election cycle fast approaching, the NALEO Educational remains at the
forefront of innovative research on the Latino electorate and policy issues affecting the participation of Latinos in the
American political process. [Learn More]

Census

The NALEO Educational Fund has always actively promoted a full count of every Latino in the decennial Census.
Now that Latinos are the nation's second largest population group, it is even more critical that the Census Bureau
collects reliable data about our community. We work closely with the Bureau to develop practices and programs
that produce the most accurate information possible about the Latino population. Census 2010 data now reveal
that the increase in the Latino population over the last decade has played a major role in the growth of the nation's population. The NALEO Educational Fund has prepared profiles for the nation and several states using Census 2010
data. [Learn More]

Naturalization and Immigration

Since its inception, the NALEO Educational Fund has worked to ensure that our nation's naturalization process is
fair and accessible to our newcomers. We provide information to policymakers in Congress and the Administration
about the impact of U.S. citizenship policies on Latino civic engagement. We also advocate against application
fee hikes, and promote policies to improve the quality of services to applicants.The NALEO Educational Fund also
advocates for immigration policies which both recognize the invaluable contributions that immigrants have made
to the economic, social and civic life of the United States and restore public confidence in a system of laws that
promotes national security.

Our Immigration Policy Tool Kit contains resources to facilitate your advocacy efforts on some of the most pressing immigration issues affecting your community. [Learn More]