By Elizabeth Chou echou@scng.com, Daily Breeze ~ April 12, 2017
A prominent immigrant rights attorney who fought against Proposition 187 will give legal advice to Los Angeles city leaders about any Donald Trump administration’s immigration policies that could affect Angelenos.
Peter Schey, founder and president of the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law Foundation, will be paid $1 a year, essentially serving on a “pro-bono” basis as the city’s immigrant advocate and “legal counsel” on the sanctuary city issue, according to Fredy Ceja, an aide for Councilman Gil Cedillo.
Trump has threatened to take away federal funding from cities like Los Angeles that have “sanctuary” policies aimed at protecting or shielding immigrants, including those in the country illegally.
The immigrant advocate position was created through a motion authored by Council President Herb Wesson soon after Trump was elected.
As the immigrant advocate, Schey will work with the Chief Legislative Analyst’s office, which reports to the City Council, and the mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.
Schey’s role with the city will be similar to former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s role as immigration specialist for the state, according to Ceja.
He is expected to also help the city examine its existing policies and ordinances, potentially looking into how the city could further protect the rights immigrants.
He founded the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law Foundation in 1980. His specialty is in defending the constitutional rights of immigrants. He also works on international human rights cases.
Schey has a history of working with Cedillo, who has served in the state Legislature, on fighting Proposition 187, a voter-approved measure to prohibit public funds from being used for immigrants in the country illegally, Ceja said. And he has worked with Cedillo on an effort to provide driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.
