California Republican gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger has ties to what critics have called a "radical" pro-Mexican legal defense organization, leaving in doubt whether he will address the state's growing illegal-alien problem.

Joseph Stern

Joseph Stern, an attorney with the international law firm of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver, & Jacobson, was recently appointed to head the Mexican-American Legal Defense Fund, or MALDEF, a Latino-rights group critics say has an anti-American tone. According to a law firm press statement, Stern has been associated with the group for more than 10 years.

A partner at the firm employing Stern is Sargent Shriver, father of Schwarzenegger's wife, Maria Shriver, and it is this connection critics say will negate any chance illegal immigration will be addressed by the former bodybuilder-turned-actor, should he win the October recall election.

The law firm's own statement announcing Stern's appointment quotes the senior staff lawyer as saying he looked forward "to continuing his service with MALDEF as it faces the challenges posed by anti-immigrant backlash in a post-9/11 world and the educational equity issues of Latinos in the United States."

Glenn Spencer, founder and head of American Patrol, a group that uses high-tech gear to monitor illegal immigration along the Arizona-Mexico border, said Schwarzenegger's ties to MALDEF would likely supersede any progress on combating illegal immigration in California.

"This revelation explains why he has added pro-Mexican people to his board of advisors," Spencer said in a statement. "It is now clear that a governor Schwarzenegger will sell Americans down the river as quickly as did [present California Gov.] Gray Davis."

Fried Frank could not be reached for comment due to the Labor Day holiday.

In its statement, the firm touted its ties to MALDEF.

"The firm has supported MALDEF throughout its 33-year history with a partner on the Board and fellowships for attorneys to work for MALDEF, plus pro bono legal and other support," it said.

"We are thrilled that Joe Stern will continue his long-term commitment to MALDEF and have the opportunity to lead our organization," said MALDEF President and General Counsel Antonia Hernandez. "We look forward to his leadership, particularly in the emerging areas of need in the Southeast."

Ironically, some of Schwarzenegger's competitors are chastising him over his past support for Proposition 187, a 1994 initiative that denied some social services to illegal immigrants.

The measure, which has since been largely voided by federal courts, was also backed by former Gov. Pete Wilson, who is co-chairing Schwarzenegger's campaign.

He has also been criticized for his advisory board membership on U.S. English, a group supporting making English the nation's official language.

But his campaign is defending Scwarzenegger's views.

"The man is an immigrant himself. To say he's anti-immigrant is Orwellian," campaign spokesman Sean Walsh told the San Francisco Chronicle.