No attorney could understand her immigrant clients better than Lizbeth Mateo.
On Friday morning, attorney Lizbeth Mateo went to immigration court in downtown Los Angeles to represent a client with whom she has something in common.Mateo wore a navy blue suit, carried a binder stuffed with court records and announced herself to the immigration judge conducting a hearing. She has no more protection from arrest and deportation than any of her clients, but that’s not something she thinks about on the job.
Lizbeth Mateo says her own status does not come up in court, and she’s never sure whether judges or other lawyers know that the polished, savvy woman advocating on behalf of her clients does not have legal status herself. But they stayed. Lizbeth went to Venice High, struggled with English, couldn’t make sense of L.A., and was miserable at first.
Maria Peniche, left, Lizbeth Mateo and Adriana Gil Diaz, who staged a risky protest with five others at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2013, greet immigrant rights organizers in Tucson shortly after federal officials released them from immigration detention. “There was a level of determination that is very rare and inspirational and … what was amazing was that she led others,” said Oberman. “She’s a hero of mine and in this day of big egos she’s quite centered. … It’s all in the service of others and it’s not about her. That’s what’s most singularly impressive.”
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