Sep. 13, 2012
Thomas A. Saenz
See more on Thomas A. SaenzMexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund Los Angeles Litigation Specialty: immigrant rights
In working on dozens of cases throughout the country, Saenz, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, looks to similar issues he's handled in California, such as being lead counsel in challenging Prop. 187 in 1994. The organization's fight against the proposition - a state measure that sought to bar illegal immigrants from using health care, public education and other government services - helped convince a federal court to find it unconstitutional.
MALDEF's work involving Prop. 187, Saenz said, "has plainly informed what we are doing in Arizona against [Senate Bill] 1070 and against some of the other states that have replicated [SB] 1070."
The organization has closely monitored that controversial anti-immigration bill, and in 2010 attempted to secure an injunction blocking it.
In June, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that certain sections were preempted by federal law. MALDEF has stated in a press release that it will continue to fight the portion the court upheld.
In California, Saenz said, MALDEF is litigating issues at the local level involving immigrants.
Last year, the organization represented day laborers before an en banc panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The panel reversed a three-judge 9th Circuit panel decision and declared Redondo Beach's anti-solicitation ordinance unconstitutional.
"[The reversal] was held on a 9-2 vote," said Saenz of the case MALDEF had been fighting since 2004. "But since [the decision] we've had to send letters to two dozen California cities that still have such ordinances on their books."
Legislative redistricting is another hot button issue for Saenz, who said that last year MALDEF had tried to influence the issue at the state level and this year has focused more on local redistricting.
"There are nine counties in California where we believe they were legally obligated under the Voting Rights Act to create an additional first or second Latino majority supervisorial district and they failed to do that," Saenz said.
In addition to the organization's various cases nationwide challenging immigration policies, inequalities in public education policies and day laborers' rights, it also reaches out to the community it serves. Its efforts include the Parent School Partnership program, which empowers parents and community leaders throughout the nation to engage in their communities and be agents for change.
- CONNIE LOPEZ
For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:
Email
jeremy@reprintpros.com
for prices.
Direct dial: 949-702-5390
Send a letter to the editor:
Email: letters@dailyjournal.com