Lorena’s mixed-status family and community inspire her passion for immigrant advocacy. She studied Latin American history with a focus on immigration patterns and recent regional conflicts. Throughout her four years of college, she worked with the New Haven Legal Aid Association, helping with asylum cases, developing a volunteer program for students to work on U-Visa cases, and assisting in translations. Lorena interned with CARECEN in D.C, focusing on direct services, while also conducting research and organizing “Know-Your-Rights” workshops. While studying in Jordan, she worked with an organization providing legal services to female refugees. She recently worked with the Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services, working on refugee applications from the MENA region. Lorena is joining IJC to learn how to best advocate for the immigrant community, and will be placed with CAIR Coalition.
