Vera Institute of Justice

José Chapa is the state and local policy manager in Vera's Advocacy and Partnerships department, supporting the Institute’s core issues and priorities through legislation and policy change. He guides staff in building advocacy skills, navigating political and governmental environments, and fostering effective partnerships with grasstops and grassroots allies.

Over the past eight years, José has successfully advocated for various legislative changes, including coordinating the New York State campaign to pass the Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act of 2019, which expanded farmworkers’ rights statewide. With the Immigrant Defense Project, he also led efforts to pass the Protect Our Courts Act of 2020, preventing ICE from detaining and arresting people at state courts.

Outside of Vera, José enjoys theatre and traveling. Born in Mexico and raised in Texas’s Rio Grande Valley, he has lived in New York City for nearly a decade.

José holds a BA in American studies from Wesleyan University.