Mary Sanchez: Immigration raids are a defining moment for Latinos, the nation’s largest ethnic minority

Before the leader of one of the most respected immigrant rights organizations in the nation could get on a flight and come to Missouri, she was issued a threat by one of the state’s politicians.

Sen. Josh Hawley targeted Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), in June.

Hawley sent her a letter, questioning if the California organization she leads was “aiding and abetting criminal conduct.” Specifically, the claim was that her organization was “bankrolling civil unrest.”

Hawley’s letter blamed Salas for widespread protests in Los Angeles, the city’s pushback against immigration raids.

he senator demanded that CHIRLA provide a slew of records — emails, texts, media talking points, donor lists, strategies and any financial r