Latino official fights for immigrant rights
Some say Gil Navarro [email] represents everything that’s wrong with America.[1]
Butothers say he’s a champion of the voiceless – one of the few publicofficials courageous enough to stand up for immigrants, even those hereunlawfully.
Navarro, 67, is making a living harnessing the burgeoning political power of America’s fastest-growing minority group.
“Ifeel the Latino community does not get the respect it deserves becausewe have some individuals who don’t think Latinos are as qualified astheir white counterparts,” Navarro said.
As a paid education advocate, Navarro defends the rights ofstudents who have been suspended or kicked out of school. Many of hiscases involve students with learning disabilities or undetectedemotional problems.
He also is an elected member of the San Bernardino CountyBoard of Education. Navarro represents Area D, which includes the SanBernardino City Unified and Rialto Unified school districts. Bothdistricts have predominantly Latino enrollments.
In his spare time, he volunteers as a mentorfor high school dropouts. He also informs illegal immigrants about astate law that allows them to pay the same tuition as legal residentsand U.S. citizens to attend California public colleges anduniversities.
Navarro also pushes for a bill introduced by Rep. Joe Baca,D-San Bernardino, that allows illegal immigrants who are high schoolgraduates to be put on a fast track toward citizenship.
[1] Gil Navarro is the Associate President of the Inland Empire chapter of MAPA, which tells you where his loyalties lie.