The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) held a gala to honor three icons of the Puerto Rican diaspora in the US: astronaut Joseph Acabá Herrero, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, and cultural leader María Antonia 'Toñita' Cay. The event, led by Congressman Darren Soto, recognized the contributions of these individuals to the Latino community. However, the evening was marked by controversy when it was revealed that Palantir, a tech company that has collaborated with ICE on deportation efforts, was sponsoring a table at the gala.
Following backlash, Soto ordered the return of the money received from Palantir and canceled their participation. Acabá Herrero, who has accumulated 306 days in space, received the President's Award, while Velázquez and Cay were also recognized for their work. The honorees emphasized the importance of defending the space of the Latino community in American society.
Acabá Herrero, born in California to Puerto Rican parents, shared his experiences as an astronaut and the challenges he faced due to his appearance and origin.