(San Francisco, CA)—Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, L.A. TACO, and ILRC Attorney Kathy Brady were honored on May 21st at the 2026 Phillip Burton Immigration & Civil Rights Awards for their exemplary commitment and work to significantly advance the civil rights of all immigrants. Named after the late Congressman Phillip Burton, U.S. Representative from California (1964-1983), the awards recognize those who carry on Congressman Burton’s legacy in support of immigrant and human rights.
“For 37 years, the Burton Awards, hosted by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) has recognized the work of advocates, policy leaders and organizations. It is our privilege to honor Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and L.A. TACO for their work to defend the fundamental rights of immigrants,” ILRC Executive Director Eric Cohen said. “The work of our honorees to help Immigrant communities who remain under an ongoing vicious attack from the current Administration.”
Speaker Emerita Pelosi was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her storied career and her commitment to the ILRC’s mission advocating on behalf of immigrant communities. The Speaker Emerita has served on the ILRC’s Advisory Board since 1988. The ILRC has honored a leader with The Nancy Pelosi Award for Policy at past Burton ceremonies. The award was named for her in 2013 and the honoree was Sen. Dick Durbin.
L.A. TACO was honored with the Advocacy Award for its work covering the immigration raids in Los Angeles. Memo Torres, L.A. TACO’s Director of Engagement, accepted the award.
Immigration Attorney Kathy Brady, who retired from the ILRC after 39 years, was honored for her invaluable contributions to the field of immigration law, particularly in the crim/imm space.
Don Ungar--former Board member, trainer, and Of Counsel to the ILRC, who passed at the end of 2025, was also honored for his longtime commitment to immigrant communities.
Journalist and MSNOW anchor Richard Lui emceed the event. Lui is on the Board of the Angel Island Immigration Station—his family came through there.
The awards were created with the help of John L. Burton, former Chairman of the California Democratic Party. Phillip Burton’s brother, John Burton currently serves on the ILRC Advisory Board and was presented with the 2004 Phillip Burton Award for Lifetime Achievement in Immigration & Civil Rights.