Perales

Because nearly two-thirds of Texas' population growth has been Hispanic, "we are saying that two or three of the four new seats should have been Latino opportunity seats," Ms. Perales said.

New Texas Voting Map Faces Federal Challenge Jess Bravin 2011

Under Texas' new plan, seven U.S. House seats that were Hispanic opportunity districts under the old map will continue as such, said Nina Perales, litigation director for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, an advocacy group that has challenged the new maps.

New Texas Voting Map Faces Federal Challenge Jess Bravin 2011

"Latinos are gaining population and losing their voice," said Nina Perales, a vice president at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, or Maldef.

Latinos Join the Electoral Land Grab Ashby Jones 2011

Ms. Puente and Maldef's Ms. Perales said they hadn't yet decided whether they would support a Republican-led lawsuit.

Latinos Join the Electoral Land Grab Ashby Jones 2011

We spend about half the time fighting Republicans and half the time fighting Democrats, Ms. Perales said.

Latinos Join the Electoral Land Grab Ashby Jones 2011

"I think that today's decision is a message not to overreach" in that direction, said Ms. Perales, whose group is challenging the legislature's map.

U.S. Court Challenges New Texas Districts Devlin Barrett 2011

Associated Press Attorney Nina Perales Owing in large part to the growth of Texas' Hispanic population, the state's delegation in the U.S. House will increase by four next year, to 36 representatives.

U.S. Court Challenges New Texas Districts Devlin Barrett 2011

Nilda Borroto, left, and Maria Perales show off Census hats on Saturday in Miami.

Two states top 2000 Census rates 2010

Nina Perales, a lawyer with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said the legislature's goal "was to make the districts safer" for incumbents.

U.S. Court Challenges New Texas Districts Devlin Barrett 2011

Texas' overall gain of four congressional seats, from 32 to 36, was largely the result of Hispanic population growth, so Ms. Perales was expecting to pick up possibly three new majority-Latino districts: one in south-central Texas, one in the Dallas/Fort-Worth area, and one in the Houston area.

Latinos Join the Electoral Land Grab Ashby Jones 2011