Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) is an organization that protects and promotes the basic rights of Hispanic Americans. It also seeks to ensure that the Hispanic American population is prepared to contribute productively to society. The fund's efforts have addressed such issues as bilingual education, racial discrimination, immigration legislation, segregated schooling, and voting rights. MALDEF is also active in the fields of employment, politics, and access to public resources. It primarily uses educational projects, legal action, and public information campaigns to meet its goals.