Lizbeth Diaz  

Congressional Intern, Presented by Walmart 

Hometown: San Diego, California  

School: University of California-San Diego  

Major: Political Science  

Placement: Office of Rep. Juan Vargas 

Lizbeth Diaz was born to a Puerto Rican father and a Mexican mother, and raised between San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Mexico. As a first-generation college student from a mixed-status family, she witnessed the disparities between both cities which sparked her passion for immigration law. Recognizing the privilege of her education, she is committed to giving back to her community.  

Lizbeth is currently a student at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), majoring in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Law, and double minoring in Environmental Studies and Human Rights & Migration. In her second year, Lizbeth was an Undergraduate Researcher with the Mexican Migration Field Research Program, collaborating with Comité Cívico del Valle. Along with 20 students, she conducted interviews in English and Spanish in Imperial Valley, California, to assess the health and labor impacts of lithium mining. She has also been involved with the Associated Students at UCSD, serving as Community Advocate, Campus-Wide Senator, and Off-Campus Senator. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to attend law school and ultimately work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.  

Beyond campus, Lizbeth previously served as a Legal Access Intern with the JusticeCorps Program under AmeriCorps. She worked in the Unlawful Detainer Clinic at the San Diego Legal Aid Society, assisting self-representing litigants with eviction cases, name changes, and gender marker changes. This experience solidified her commitment to helping her community.  

While in Washington, DC, Lizbeth hopes to gain a deeper understanding of public policy and become a more effective advocate for change in her community as a CHCI Intern.