Interview conducted by Liz Castillo ’26
Why did you decide to go to law school?
As someone who came from an immigrant family and grew up in the bordertown of Laredo, Texas I saw firsthand how arbitrary citizenship is. I learned that the opportunities available to people can vary drastically, simply based on where they happened to be born. Seeing how immigration status affected my friends and family, I decided during college to intern at the immigration clinic. There, I had the opportunity to be introduced into this work by Barbara Hines and Denise Gilman. Knowing that Laredo was a legal desert, I realized then that I wanted to be exactly that type of lawyer for my hometown.
What were you involved in in law school? What were your most formative experiences?
I took advantage of many of Texas’ Law’s experiential opportunities. In addition to the immigration clinic where I was then supervised by Elissa Steglich, I was also involved in the criminal defense clinic and was part of the Pro-Bono Scholar project that started the Hutto Detention Center Project. I found the work that I was able to do through the William Wayne Justice Center and to help run my own projects was particularly formative. It taught me how to amplify the impact I can have beyond just direct representation. I wouldn’t be the attorney I am today without the hands-on teaching my professors and the Justice Center provided.
Outside of this, I was also part of the Texas Journal on Civil Liberties & Civil Rights and CHLSSA, through which I was able to make so many friends that later ended up being co-workers and colleagues.
What were your career goals as a student?
I wanted to focus on exactly the work I’m doing now: immigration!
Today, I’m often lucky to work alongside many attorneys with more years of experience than me. Thanks to my experiences through the Justice Center and Texas Law’s experiential opportunities, however, I am able not just to perform at the same caliber but to work creatively with them.
What was your first job out of law school?
My long-term goal was always to find a way to bring back some legal capacity to Laredo. However, my first job arose out of a Fellowship through the Justice Center that allowed me to work in New York City to learn about and work on the first public defender/immigration model and see what practices I could bring back home to Texas. It was super formative. I could not do the work I do in Laredo now without that experience.
Tell me about your current job/focus.
My day to day can vary quite a bit, but broadly right now I’m focused on two things: building targeted legal capacity across legal deserts in Texas and coordinating Texas Immigration Law Council’s special projects.
Attorneys providing direct immigration representation are overwhelmed. To help meet capacity and knowledge gaps, I develop toolkits, resources, and advisories to support their work. Via collaborations with groups like American Gateways, I also develop pro-se resources.
One of the big ways we’re doing this now is through the TxILC habeas project. Nowadays, habeas is increasingly one of the only ways immigrants can get out of detention. However, traditionally very few people in the immigration world have been trained on how to do habeas work and might not have the capacity to take on these kinds of cases. Recognizing this gap, the TxILC built out a habeas project where pro bono attorneys can get mentorship, training, and the support they need to step into this work.
In addition to this project, I also oversee a court watch project, help plan immigration clinics targeting low-income individuals who otherwise might not receive the immigration relief screening and family preparedness services they need, and work on resources that help translate immigration developments to community members.
This is a particularly difficult time for people interested in immigration work. Any advice/words of wisdom that you’d like to share with folx breaking into this work?
Several things. First, take advantage of the great quality of professors around you. Don’t be afraid to take learning opportunities. When you’re under the tutelage of professors, know that you have experts around you that won’t let you fail and that can build you up to meet this moment.
Second, try to get comfortable thinking on your toes, adapting, and practicing resiliency. Those tools are critical in this moment. Be confident that you have those skills within you—that you have what this moment needs.
Third, know your community. Throughout this work, I have seen how crucial community is. Work is important but so is community because community is what grounds and heals you through the work. Be intentional about spending time with those parts of your community that keep you going, both in a personal and professional capacity. It helps keep very serious and important work light.
Finally, know your “why?” Spend time defining not just what you’re working for but why. This reminds us that the work is not about us, it’s about something bigger.