Denia has been immersed in the immigration world her entire life. When Denia was 9, a notario filed a fraudulent asylum application on behalf of her parents, resulting in the initiation of removal proceedings. Denia spent her adolescence and early twenties concerned that at any given moment, her mixed-status family could be torn apart by an outdated system. Her parents’ legal battle to remain in the U.S., and her personal experiences as an undocumented immigrant woman, have inspired her professional and educational aspirations. She’s had to work hard to overcome various legal and financial obstacles to pursue her education. As a student at Quinnipiac University School of Law, Denia focused on working with organizations representing immigrants in removal proceedings. Denia’s experience, combined with her personal challenges with the immigration system, enabled her to serve the immigrant community with empathy, integrity, and love. As an IJC Justice Fellow at Make the Road New York, she continues to build upon her immigration knowledge to defend immigrants due process rights.
