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Nora E. Vargas was named today as the first director of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, a newly created fiefdom within Mayor Jim Hahn's staff. From the release issued jointly by Hahn and councilman Eric Garcetti:
The director of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs will advance and advocate for the full and active civic, social, political, and economic participation of immigrants and refugees in the City of Los Angeles. The role of this office is to be involved in policies and issues affecting Los Angeles' immigrant and refugee stakeholders, and to facilitate their access to city services, benefits and opportunities...
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 42 percent of Los Angeles residents were born in other countries. By establishing an office that focuses on the needs of immigrants, Los Angeles follows the lead of other major cities across the nation, including New York, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago and Boston. Vargas will also direct a newly-created Mayor's advisory board on immigrant affairs...Currently, Vargas is the vice president of governmental and political affairs for Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernadino Counties (PPOSBC). Previously, she directed PPOSBC's Community Action Fund, served as legislative relations specialist at San Diego State University, and worked on campaigns as a political consultant in Sacramento and on congressional campaigns in San Diego.
Vargas also remains active in various community organizations including as a member of the board for Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), a member of MANA a National Latina Organization, a member of the National Women's Political Caucus and a member of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO).