Letter to Linda Sanchez - discrimination by USDA

Letter

The Honorable Linda Sánchez
2329 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515

October 9, 2015

Dear Chairwoman Sánchez:

Hispanic ranchers and farmers in our districts have experienced significant civil rights violations and discrimination by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), particularly within traditional communities. In 2013, the USDA's Office of Compliance, Policy, Training and Cultural Transformation conducted a Civil Rights Compliance Review of the Forest Service Region Two in Colorado and Region Three in New Mexico. The report found that both regions were non-compliant with several civil rights requirements and that regulations were inconsistently implemented.

In addition, the USDA has agreed to a $1.3 billion settlement to resolve allegations that Hispanic and female farmers were discriminated against. Unfortunately, payments made through this settlement to these communities have led to concerns that they fail to measure up to those made to other minority groups who have filed and won similar civil rights related class action lawsuits. According to a recent article in the Santa Fe New Mexican, just over 3,200 of the more than 53,000 claims submitted have been approved.

New Mexico has been blessed with a unique culture rich in history and tradition. These traditions have been maintained throughout generations and include traditional farming and ranching practices within Hispanic communities. Often these practices are carried out on land managed by the Forest Service under USDA's direction. In the State of New Mexico, there are more than 9 million acres of land managed by the Forest Service, so it is with great importance that the USDA address this decades' long discrimination.

Both of our offices have repeatedly raised this issue with the Department and know that similar issues have occurred with Hispanic communities across the United States. We know you share our concerns, and believe that the Congressional Hispanic Caucus should take new steps to engage USDA to help resolve these concerns. We hope the Congressional Hispanic Caucus will work with us to ensure that Hispanic farmers and ranchers are made whole from past discrimination and unfair loan practices by the USDA and to encourage the USDA to reassess its procedures for working with Hispanic and traditional communities.

Sincerely,

Ben Ray Luján Michelle Lujan Grisham
Member of Congress Member of Congress

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