An immigrant rights group was recently refused a large grant due to their connection to marriage equality activisim, demonstrating the deep divide that still exists between progressive groups and religious organizations in the Latino community. 

VOZ Worker's Rights Immigration Project (VOZ), an immigrants rights groups based in Portland that strives to push day laborers to have control over working conditions to ensure fairness and safety, was denied a grant for $75,000 from a Catholic organization due to its affiliation with the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), an immigrants rights group that supports same-sex marriage. 

VOZ has had a relationship with the group, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), for a number of years, and CCHD has provided VOZ funding numerous times. This year, VOZ was a finalist for the grant. 

However, in May, CCHD told VOZ that it could not receive the grant unless it obtained a letter from NCLR saying that VOZ does not support the same social stances as NCLR. 

VOZ was later told that they had to sever ties with NCLR completely because they are a strong ally of LGBT rights and same-sex marriage equality. 

VOZ director Romeo Sosa told Latin Post that VOZ refused to dissociate themselves from NCLR because of the funding they receive from the group, in addition to sticking by their values. 

"We need the money [from CCHD], but we have values," Sosa said. "We stand with NCLR."

VOZ wrote a letter to CCHD June 6 explaining that they would not sever ties with NCLR. 

"The need for funding is great. However, we are a worker-led organization that empowers immigrants and day laborers to gain control over their working conditions," the letter read. "At the root of that mission, is the pursuit of justice and equality for all immigrants and day laborers. We have always found that to do this, we need all allies, day laborers, and immigrants to stand together in unity."

"The philosophy of building borders between friends and allies has long been a debilitating instrument to slow the advancement of social justice and equality. Alone we cannot achieve anything," the letter continued.

CCHD told BuzzFeed that they refused the grant to VOZ because VOZ is in a "public relationship" with an organization that "has taken public policy positions at odds with Catholic moral teaching." 

In a statement, CCHD told BuzzFeed that they "respect the conscientious decision of a grantee to take stances that don't square with the mission of CCHD. But we expect others to respect our commitment to Catholic values."

CCHD has severed ties with organizations before: nine Chicago groups were forced to give up grants last fall that totaled $300,000 because of failing to align with CCHD's conservative beliefs. 

While CCHD pulled funding from organizations, it distributed $5.5 million in support of immigration reform, and $1 million to help deal with the influx of unaccompanied child migrants crossing the border from Central America. 

Sosa told Latin Post that they cannot dissociate itself with NCLR because of a firm commitment to justice and equality. 

"We don't have an offiical position [on marriage quality], but we believe in equality and rights for everyone," Sosa said. 

The denial of the grant is devastating for the group fiscally, as the group only has a budget of $310,000. 

The exchange with CCHD was made public in an attempt to facilitate an online fundraising effort to raise the money. So far, $15,000 has been raised from LGBT rights groups like Basic Rights Oregon and Freedom to Marry, which provided $12,500.

People from across the country have also donated to the organization online. 

"We believe that more people believe in unity and rights for all," Sosa said. "Some in the Catholic Church are donating to us."

The organization needs $75,000 to pay staff members, provide health benefits, effectively complete organizing work and conduct workshops with day laborers to improve their skills. 

VOZ has helped more than 22,000 people get jobs and recover more than $500,000 in stolen wages. 

Sosa told Latin Post that funds are also needed to wage a campaign to convince Congress to pass legislation in support of day laborers so they are not victims of wage theft. He added that the money is also needed to help VOZ promote leadership among day laborers. 

While NCLR said it is committed to marriage equality, it has not yet signed onto the letters sent to the president to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. 

While the incident reflects the strong conservatism of certain religious organizations in the Latino community, Sosa believes more Latinos are now supporting equality. 

"I think more Latinos support gay rights," he said. 

And while VOZ is facing a difficult fiscal situation, he said that organizations' commitment to equality will help VOZ reach its budget goals. 

"So many people support us, and so many people we've never met before have been donating online," Sosa said. "I think we can make it."