mEET PEDRO VILLALOBOS

“Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.”

- Dolores Huerta, union activist

WORKING CLASS, IMMIGRANT UPBRINGING

Pedro’s parents brought him to the United States when he was only three years old. Pedro and his family came to the United States seeking a better life and the American Dream.

Pedro’s parents worked two full time jobs when he was growing up - dishwashers, busboys, food runners, and bartenders. On many occasions employers cheated his parents out of fairly earned wages because of the color of their skin, because they couldn’t speak English, and because they were immigrants.

Pedro comes from a working class family and will fight for you and AFSCME 1624.

BREAKING BARRIERS

Pedro graduated third in his high school class and attended The University of Texas at Austin. As Pedro was heading into his last semester of college, Pedro knew that he wanted to be a lawyer. He saw that there was a lack of diversity in the legal profession and that lawyers could help facilitate change.

However, Pedro’s dream of helping folks through the practice of law faced one major roadblock: he was undocumented.

Pedro’s status meant that even if he went to law school and graduated, he would not be able to sit for the Bar Exam, unless he had a work permit. Pedro was forced to put law school on the back burner. However, in late 2012, President Barack Obama implemented the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and in early 2013, Pedro was accepted into the DACA program and received a work permit. With his golden (work) ticket in hand, Pedro applied for law school and was accepted into The University of Texas School of Law.

Pedro is the first person in his family to graduate from college and law school. Pedro is also the first DACAmented person to be licensed by the State Bar of Texas and the first undocumented prosecutor in the State of Texas.

Pedro’s lived experience motivates him to fight for working people who just need opportunities to showcase their talents.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE

Pedro believes in paying it forward. He knows that there are many people and organizations that have contributed to his success. He believes in building bridges, fighting for equity, and serving the community.

Pedro firmly believes that when we stand with the community, the community will stand with AFSCME 1624.

He is an experienced community advocate:

  • President, AFSCME 1624

  • Chair, AFSCME 1624 VOTE PAC

  • Chair, Central Labor Council COPE

  • AFSCME U.S. Supreme Court amicus curiae participant in Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of the University of California

  • Chair, City of Austin Parks & Recreation Board

  • Former Vice-Chair, City of Austin Commission on Immigrant Affairs

  • Former Commissioner, City of Austin Ethics Review Commission

  • Volunteer, George Morales Dove Springs Recreation Center Turkey Basket Distribution

  • Volunteer, George Morales Dove Springs Recreation Center Back to School Backpack Bash

  • Raised nearly $200,000, and counting, for voter education and progressive causes

  • Raised $65,000 in one month to fully fund 130 DACA applications after Trump Administration ended the program

  • Raised funds for nearly 35,000 backpacks filled with school supplies for the Dove Springs Back to School Backpack Bash.

  • Former Member, Barack Obama National Finance Committee

  • Chair, Capital Area Progressive Democrats

  • Former Vice-President, Central Austin Democrats

  • Former Vice-President, University Democrats

Pedro knows that AFSCME 1624 is stronger and more robust when we invest, advocate, and are involved in the community.