Lidia Vargas

Lidia Vargas is currently a student midway through the part-time four-year program at Loyola Law School. She previously earned both a Master of Social Work and undergraduate degrees in Sociology and Chicano-Latino Studies from California State University, Long Beach.

Her application reflects a longstanding commitment to immigrant advocacy informed by her own experience as a former undocumented immigrant and DACA recipient. Lidia brings nearly a decade of direct immigration advocacy experience, particularly focused on undocumented youth and foster children. She currently works full-time at Bet Tzedek Legal Services as the organization’s first fully accredited representative before the Department of Homeland Security and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), representing her own caseload of undocumented minors in matters involving Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), adjustment of status, U and T visas, DACA, and related forms of immigration relief.

Lidia spearheaded Bet Tzedek’s certification as a recognized organization and completed a year-long training program to become an accredited representative. The U.S. Department of Justice, through the EOIR, allows certain nonprofit organizations to become “recognized organizations.” Once recognized, non-attorney staff at those organizations can complete specialized training and become accredited representatives authorized to provide certain immigration legal services.

Her background also includes extensive community-centered advocacy, including conducting Know Your Rights presentations, leading family preparedness initiatives during immigration enforcement surges, coordinating volunteer efforts to provide food delivery and financial support for immigrant families afraid to leave their homes, and assisting undocumented foster youth with college access and housing stability.

Lidia was a standout candidate who presented as deeply grounded in service, highly experienced in direct client advocacy, and strongly committed to continuing immigration and public interest work serving vulnerable communities throughout Los Angeles.