Centering Immigrant Voices in Academic Research and Community 

I came to New York City from El Salvador at the age of 10 and have lived in the NYC area ever since, navigating the intersections of Latinidad, immigrant identity, and urban life. As a sociologist, my work is rooted in the belief that underrepresented and marginalized communities deserve a voice in the creation of knowledge. My research focuses on immigrant, refugee, and displaced communities in the U.S. and Central America, with particular attention to labor education, working-class families, and the structural forces that shape migration and survival.

I serve as a country conditions expert for individuals facing deportation orders, including those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS). I provide expert testimony on behalf of people fleeing violence, impunity, and political persecution—offering data and analysis to show why return is often unsafe or impossible. My work bridges academic research and community advocacy, with a commitment to storytelling as a tool for justice and change.

Through both scholarship and service, I aim to highlight the agency and autonomy of immigrants who fight for dignity and build new lives in the face of immense structural barriers. My work is grounded in the lived experiences of Salvadoran and Central American communities and in the long-standing tradition of grassroots organizing for equity and human rights.