Hispanic Jurists

The U.S. is a constitutional democracy. As such, legal and institutional processes allow Americans to decide who their leaders will be. At the same time, the rights and freedoms of individuals are defined by a constitution. The rule of law is essential for guaranteeing the rights to liberty and justice. Because the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land, all statutes enacted and enforced by all levels of government must conform to its provisions.

The rule of law in the U.S. has had a profound effect on the lives of Hispanic individuals and their communities. Consider, for example, the matter of immigration laws that affect the lives of millions of Hispanics currently living in the U.S. and those trying to enter our country. The most essential expectation about the rule of law among ethnic minorities in the U.S. like Hispanics is cultural citizenship. That is, Hispanics demand the right to be culturally different from the norms of the dominant national community without losing any of their rights to participate in the democratic processes of the U.S. As the country’s largest ethnic group being imprisoned, it is important to examine the relationship between the Hispanic community and the rule of law in the U.S. One approach is to examine the impact of Hispanic jurists.