Concerns Arise Over Xavier Becerra’s Connections
Recent investigations suggest that Xavier Becerra, the leading candidate for governor in California, has extensive links to a network of militant activists and foreign operatives known for influencing U.S. elections, supporting pro-immigration initiatives, and challenging U.S. sovereignty.
Becerra has long positioned himself as a champion for migrants, but his longstanding relationships with radical NGOs that closely collaborate with Mexican interests aren’t as well-known.
Mexico has been amplifying its political influence in the U.S. through over 50 consulates, creating a complex framework for political mobilization and advocacy for migrants aimed at benefiting Mexico, as highlighted by research from the Government Accountability Institute (GAI).
International protocols explicitly prohibit foreign consulates from involving themselves in the domestic issues of their host nations.
A recent GAI investigation has uncovered that Becerra’s ties to a network of radical migrant organizations align closely with these foreign operations.
CHIRLA: A Close Alliance
This inquiry follows the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) endorsing Becerra, a group previously investigated for allegedly misusing taxpayer funds for protests. Recently, CHIRLA was accused by another gubernatorial candidate of facilitating voter outreach through illegal immigrant canvassers.
For more than two decades, CHIRLA has maintained a partnership with Mexican consulates, which seem to act more as political entities than traditional diplomatic offices.
Mexico’s former Foreign Minister has openly discussed directives for consulates to promote activist movements in their communities.
In 1994, the Los Angeles consulate collaborated with CHIRLA to contest California’s Proposition 187, which prevented illegal immigrants from accessing public benefits.
Mexican officials have since established voter registration hubs in consulate locations and coordinated efforts with advocacy groups nationwide, providing resources to legal representatives as part of initiatives to combat ICE action against immigrants.
These activities, against the guidelines of the Vienna Convention, have prompted attention from the Trump administration, which is currently reevaluating all Mexican consulates over concerns of undue interference in U.S. politics.
CHIRLA has engaged in joint events with consular representatives to equip migrants with strategies to evade deportation. Additionally, the organization manages offices in Mexico aimed at preparing migrants before they set foot in the U.S., forming what some refer to as a “civic pipeline” to mobilize Democratic voters.
Moreover, CHIRLA collaborates with the LA consulate on voter campaigns and naturalization services. In an effort to engage immigrants, CHIRLA launched a Mobile Voting Center near the Mexican consulate and offers “Know Your Rights” sessions for those anxious about deportation.
Recently, CHIRLA has faced accusations of orchestrating anti-ICE protests in real time to interfere with federal enforcement efforts, seeking the dismantling of the Department of Homeland Security and the repeal of laws that penalize migration.
During the CHIRLA endorsement, Becerra referred to the organization as “my family,” reflecting the deep-rooted support CHIRLA has provided him since his tenure as California’s Attorney General.
The Network of Consulates
CHIRLA is just one part of a broader network.
UnidosUS, formerly known as the National Council of La Raza, has been a supporter of Becerra for several years. His daughter interned there, and the organization backed his nomination for the Secretary of Health and Human Services in 2020. Becerra has also been a featured speaker at Unidos’ annual conferences.
UnidosUS was founded by Chicano activists in the 1960s, with influential figures advocating for significant change, sometimes in extreme terms.
Leadership within UnidosUS has historically collaborated with Mexican entities, even advising Mexico’s leaders on how to present amnesty in a more favorable light to the public.
These interactions raise questions about legality under the Logan Act, which prohibits individuals from influencing foreign governments regarding U.S. disputes.
Nonetheless, Mexico has engaged closely with UnidosUS since at least 1989, working to support Mexican nationals in the U.S.
In more recent years, Mexico’s consulates have distributed guides instructing migrants on crossing the U.S. border illegally.
The collaboration continues, as demonstrated by a recent meeting involving a UnidosUS director and Mexican officials to strategize around U.S. immigration policies.
One significant connection for Becerra is with the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation (CRLAF), which has held citizenship events in partnership with Mexican consulates, working directly with consular officials to support the undocumented immigrant population.
CRLAF has ties to Becerra’s family, employing two of his daughters and aligning closely with his immigration advocacy during his time as Attorney General. Becerra’s remarks during a recent CRLAF gala highlight this tight-knit relationship.
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) also plays a vital role in this network, with a history of collaboration on migrant issues. Becerra’s connections to MALDEF trace back to his law school days and remain strong.
This organization has engaged in advocacy alongside Mexican consulates and has roots in strong activist rhetoric about political influence in California.
Reports suggest that Mexican leaders are utilizing their consulates to create a political force among migrants in the U.S., which some view as part of a broader effort to reclaim territory in the American Southwest.
Becerra’s network connections reveal not only a domestic agenda but also an international ideology aligned with certain Mexican interests.
In 2004, he participated in discussions about North American integration with Mexican officials. A past congressional witness described these meetings as part of a concerted effort to erode U.S. sovereignty.
On September 11, 2017, Becerra attended a luncheon with Mexican diplomats, coinciding with his filing of a lawsuit aimed at preserving the DACA program amid discussions on immigration policies with those same diplomats.
