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Elizabeth Lopez

Executive Director at Southern California Immigration Project

Elizabeth Lopez is the Founder and Executive Director of the Southern California Immigration Project (SCIP), a nonprofit organization established in 2015 that primarily serves African asylum seekers detained in Southern California's Imperial and San Diego counties. With nearly thirty years of experience as an attorney, Lopez has a robust background in immigration law and social justice advocacy.

Professional Background

  • Legal Experience: Before founding SCIP, Lopez ran her own law firm in Orange County for over a decade, focusing on employment law. She then transitioned to lobbying for social justice issues in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., where she became acutely aware of the need for immigration attorneys while working on immigration legislation.
  • Immigration Advocacy: Lopez spent seven years as an immigration attorney at the Casa Cornelia Law Center (CCLC) in San Diego, representing hundreds of asylum seekers from more than eighty countries. Her work at CCLC included serving as Pro Bono Director and Asylum Director.123

Education and Awards

  • Education: Elizabeth Lopez earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern California and her Juris Doctor from the Western School of Law. She was admitted to the California State Bar in 1989.
  • Recognition: In recognition of her contributions to the community, she received the KPBS Community Hero Award in 2017 and the Peacemaker Award from the National Conflict Resolution Center in 2018.34

Current Role

Under her leadership, SCIP provides pro bono and low bono legal services to victims of human rights violations and conducts community outreach to raise awareness about critical issues affecting immigrant populations. Additionally, Lopez serves on the board of directors for Survivors of Torture International, further emphasizing her commitment to supporting vulnerable communities.123

Related Questions

What inspired Elizabeth Lopez to start the Southern California Immigration Project?
How has Elizabeth Lopez's experience as an immigration attorney influenced her work at SCIP?
What are some of the biggest challenges Elizabeth Lopez faces in her role at SCIP?
How does SCIP support asylum seekers from Africa specifically?
What other organizations does Elizabeth Lopez collaborate with?
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Location

San Diego, California, United States