SAINT PAUL, MN — COPAL officially launched its 2026 Legislative Agenda at the Minnesota State Capitol during its annual Café y Tamales gathering, bringing together community leaders and state lawmakers to discuss COPAL’s 2026 Legislative Agenda and the issues that most impact Latine communities throughout the state.
Attendees discussed issues such as immigration, healthcare, education, housing, environmental justice, and workers’ rights.
“Latine communities have long been left out of decisions that shape our daily lives, and recent federal enforcement actions have only made that gap more visible,” said Francisco Segovia, Executive Director at COPAL. “Our 2026 legislative agenda ensures our voices are heard, our families are protected, and that we can actively shape a Minnesota where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
COPAL’s legislative priorities for 2026 include:
Defending:
- Driver’s Licenses for All: Protecting the right to drive for all Minnesota families, regardless of immigration status.
- The North Star Promise Program: Defending the right to higher education for Minnesota students.
Advancing:
- North STAR Act: Protecting the rights of undocumented immigrants and creating safer communities across Minnesota.
- MinnesotaCare Public Option: Establishing a MinnesotaCare public option, paving the way for a universal healthcare system.
- A Constitutional Amendment for Housing: Advancing a constitutional amendment that would dedicate sustainable, predictable, and ongoing funding to the housing crisis.
- The Latino Center for Community Engagement: Advancing investment in a community‑driven hub that expands access to holistic support services, civic engagement, and economic opportunity for Minnesota’s Latine residents—strengthening local economies, improving community wellbeing, and delivering statewide benefits for all who call Minnesota home.
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COPAL Minnesota is a member-based organization driven to improve the quality of life for Minnesota’s Latine communities. For more information, please visit www.copalmn.org.
