Washington, D.C. – Democracy Forward received the “2026 UnidosUS Capital Award for Public Service” as UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization, hosted its annual Capital Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. The award was shared with the Center for Taxpayer Rights, and celebrates the work done to date in Center for Taxpayer Rights et al. v Internal Revenue Service et al, a case brought by Democracy Forward on behalf of the Center, Main Street Alliance, Communications Workers of America, and the National Federation of Federal Employees challenging the Trump-Vance administration’s unprecedented efforts to skirt federal privacy laws that protected taxpayers’ sensitive information.
The legal team at Democracy Forward on CRT v. IRS includes Daniel A. McGrath, Simon Brewer, Maddy Gitomer, Johanna M. Hickman, Robin F. Thurston, Steven Y. Bressler, and Skye L. Perryman, nearly all of whom were in attendance.
Democracy Forward achieved a stay in the case last November that has prevented the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from sharing data on millions of taxpayers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The recent revelation that the changes to privacy protections by the Trump-Vance administration at IRS were even more reckless than previously known has led the legal team to head back to court to request discovery to allow investigation.
“Democracy Forward is honored to work with partners across the country to build collective power and advance a bold, vibrant democracy for all people,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “This recognition from UnidosUS means the world to our team. We have found strength and courage working on behalf of so many communities across the country and are inspired each day by the courage and resolve of people living in the United States who are determined to oppose anti-democratic activity and build a bold and vibrant future.”
“The team at Democracy Forward is honored to receive this generous distinction, and even more grateful to be able to work closely with brave and dedicated clients like the Center for Taxpayer Rights Security and partners like UnidosUS who are willing to defend our democracy from the increasingly autocratic assault we are seeing from this administration,” said Maddy Gitomer, Senior Counsel for Democracy Forward, who accepted the award for the organization. “Courtrooms are the frontline in this battle to defend people and communities from the unlawful executive actions we are seeing that are harming people across America. We will continue to use the law to build collective power and advance a bold, vibrant democracy for all people.”
The UnidosUS Capital Awards recognizes leaders who have championed policies and legislation to empower and strengthen the Latino community. UnidosUS honors changemakers outside of the political spectrum who “courageously and tirelessly advocate on behalf of the Latino community with the Capital Award for Public Service.”
“I’m so proud to recognize the incredible work of the Center for Taxpayers Rights and Democracy Forward,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of UnidosUS. “UnidosUS will continue to fight to end the Trump administration’s cruel mass deportation campaign, create a whole new system of immigration that represents our communities interests and values, and to ignite Latino economic prosperity.”
Learn more about the case here.
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Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.
