Jose Chapa

Campaign Strategist

Jose Chapa is a Campaign Strategist at The Clean Slate Initiative, supporting state campaigns on the Programs team.

Jose is a dedicated advocate for labor rights, immigrant justice, and transforming the legal system, with a personal history that informs his work. Raised in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, he grew up in a family of farmworkers, which ignited his lifelong commitment to improving the conditions of marginalized communities.

After graduating from Wesleyan University in Connecticut, Jose began his career fighting for workers’ rights. One of his proudest accomplishments came in 2019 when he played a key role in passing the Farm Laborer Fair Practices Act in New York State, providing farmworkers statewide with fundamental labor protections. This victory was particularly meaningful to Jose, who understands firsthand the challenges faced by farmworker communities.

Jose also has significant experience advocating for immigrant rights. While working at the Immigrant Defense Project, he led efforts in New York State that resulted in the passage of the Protect Our Courts Act in 2020. This legislation prevents U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from arresting individuals attending or leaving state courts, protecting their ability to access justice without fear of deportation or detention.

Most recently, as the State and Local Policy Manager at the Vera Institute of Justice, Jose was instrumental in building and executing strategic campaigns aimed at reducing the harms of the legal system. His work focused on advancing policies that promote fairness and justice, particularly for communities most impacted by systemic inequities.

Throughout his career, Jose has remained focused on creating meaningful change for those who are often overlooked and marginalized. His background, combined with his professional experience, reflects a deep commitment to fighting for policies that uphold dignity, fairness, and opportunity for all.