My commitment to immigration law and to serving as an Equal Justice America Fellow at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid is deeply rooted in both my personal experiences and my belief in equal access to justice for immigrant communities.
When my family fled religious persecution and resettled in Atlanta, Georgia in 2006, it was the compassion and dedication of the lawyers interviewing us and helping us share our story that made it possible for us to rebuild our lives in the United States. Their empathy showed me how the law could restore dignity and hope.
Growing up, I attended International Community School, a public charter K–5 school serving refugee communities, where I met children from Myanmar, Sudan, and many other parts of the world. Through these experiences, I witnessed not only the diversity of their backgrounds, but also the financial, structural, and legal barriers their families faced. Having navigated the asylum-seeking process myself and listened to the challenges many immigrants encounter in this country, I came to view it as a privilege to support immigrant communities by sharing resources that could help them adapt to new environments while also amplifying their voices within the legal system.
My interest in immigration law deepened further during my time at Emory College, when I attended a presentation by Freedom University, an organization providing higher education opportunities to undocumented students in Atlanta, Georgia. Hearing from students like Nayelly and Kathy, who despite growing up in the United States were denied the right to study or work, was transformative. Their stories revealed the systemic inequities facing immigrant youth and strengthened my resolve to make education and justice accessible to all, regardless of immigration status.
Empowering people to feel confident in expressing themselves has always been one of the primary reasons I wanted to become a lawyer. During my time at Columbia Law School, participating in the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic gave me the opportunity to further that goal, and it has been the most meaningful part of my legal education. As part of the clinic, I was able to share my client’s story with an asylum officer and guide the client through a high-stakes affirmative asylum interview, which taught me to pair legal precision with compassion. That experience, coupled with consistent mentorship from my supervisor, strengthened my judgment and reinforced my belief that good advocacy, especially for immigrants, begins with listening.
As an Equal Justice America Fellow, I hope to continue expanding access to justice for immigrant communities while ensuring that those navigating the legal system feel heard, supported, and empowered. I am deeply grateful to Equal Justice America for supporting my work at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, and honored to continue advocating for immigrants through this fellowship.
