Civil Rights Lawyer Irma Herrera Gives Keynote Address
(San Francisco, CA)—Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-New York), and California Padilla Defenders were honored on May 22nd at the 2025 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 36 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 Congressman Espaillat and California Padilla Defenders for their work to defend the fundamental rights of immigrants,” ILRC Executive Director Eric Cohen said. “At a time of ever-increasing hateful rhetoric and policies, Rep. Espaillat and California Padilla Defenders have stood firm in their commitments to immigrant communities. The ILRC is honored to work with them.”
Rep. Espaillat was honored with the Nancy Pelosi Award for Policy. Speaker Emerita Pelosi presented the award to the congressman who was honored for continuing to push for bolder and more just immigration policies. He has sponsored or co-sponsored several pieces of pro-immigrant legislation, including Protecting Sensitive Locations Act and Safeguarding Sanctuary Cities Act. The ILRC appreciates his continued and unwavering support for the New Way Forward Act that seeks to address inequities in the criminal legal system that result in inhumane consequences for immigrants.
California Padilla Defenders was honored with the 2025 Phillip Burton Award for Lawyering, for its long-standing service and work to ensure that immigrants who encounter the criminal legal system in California understand and, hopefully, can defend against the potentially severe immigration consequences of the case. The California Padilla Defenders’ work is challenging, and the ILRC is inspired by their determination, legal analysis, and fierce advocacy. Their work educating and collaborating with fellow defenders has helped to transform criminal defense practice, and combat long standing systemic injustices in the immigration and criminal legal systems. They continue to encourage us to reimagine what advocacy for immigrants can be and work to make it a reality.
Civil rights lawyer Irma Herrera gave the keynote address. She has been a Bay Area lawyer for more than 30 years.
ILRC Board member Aidin Castillo emceed the event, and ILRC Board Chair Lisa Spiegel gave closing remarks. 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.
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The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit that works with immigrants, community organizations, legal professionals, and policy makers to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people. Through community education programs, legal training & technical assistance, and policy development & advocacy, the ILRC works to protect and defend the fundamental rights of immigrant families and communities. Follow us at www.ilrc.org, and @the_ILRC on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and TikTok. Also follow us on Bluesky @the-ilrc.bsky.social, and on Facebook.