Vice President Harris Unveils Comprehensive Opportunity Agenda Targeting Latino Men

In a Telemundo interview today, Vice President Kamala Harris is announcing a new Opportunity Agenda aimed at supporting Latino men through investments in small businesses, workforce development, and homeownership. Harris outlines strategies to lower costs and increase access to the American Dream for Latino families.

Key Initiatives Include:

1. Workforce Development:

- Doubling Registered Apprenticeships: The plan aims to double the number of registered apprenticeships, creating opportunities for 2 million workers. This initiative will involve scaling proven training models that lead to good-paying jobs, with partnerships formed with businesses, unions, community colleges, and organizations such as UnidosUS and Hispanic-Serving Institutions to enhance training opportunities.

- Eliminating Degree Requirements: Harris plans to remove unnecessary college degree requirements for 500,000 federal jobs, making federal employment more accessible to Latino men without degrees. Efforts will also be made to encourage the private sector to adopt similar policies.

- High School Partnerships: The agenda includes expanding partnerships with 1,000 high schools, enabling students to engage in career-oriented programs. This initiative will provide students with guaranteed jobs at partner employers or a head start on technical or college degrees, allowing them to build careers while still in school.

- Veteran Support: The plan aims to expand workforce development for over 1.5 million Latino veterans and 240,000 active duty service members by investing in programs that specifically train and hire veterans.

2. Support for Small Businesses:

- Launching one million forgivable loans of up to $20,000 for Latino entrepreneurs, addressing barriers to capital access. This initiative seeks to empower Latino men to start or expand their businesses, reflecting a significant increase in Latino business ownership.

- Creating partnerships with community banks and development financial institutions to provide low-interest loans and deferred payments for business expansion, ensuring access to necessary funding.

3. Homeownership Expansion:

- Setting a goal to double the number of first-time Latino homebuyers to nearly 600,000 by building 3 million new affordable homes. This strategy aims to make homeownership more accessible, helping to build wealth within Latino families.

- Offering $25,000 in downpayment assistance for first-time homebuyers, particularly for those lacking inherited wealth, facilitating the journey toward homeownership and generational wealth building.

Additional Support for Construction Workers:

Harris will also allow registered apprentices and construction professionals—30% of whom are Latino—to write off expenses for tools and equipment. This measure aims to reduce financial barriers for young Latino workers entering the building trades.

In the final stretch of the campaign, Harris, Walz, and Emhoff will participate in a media blitz to engage Latino voters, including interviews and events designed to address issues relevant to the community. This outreach effort aims to mobilize support for Harris while contrasting her agenda with that of her opponent, highlighting the risks of a second Trump term for Latino families.