Immigration Article of the Day: Latine Advocates in Immigration by Jocelyn Cazares Willingham

Latine Advocates in Immigration by Jocelyn Cazares Willingham,

Abstract
This Essay first arose out of heartbreak, fear, and a deep disillusionment in the law and U.S. society. The historical, Latine performances of 2026 revived and transformed it. They, and the wisdom of Latine scholars, carried vivid reminders of Latine’s extraordinary abilities to find joy in moments of pain, to celebrate life even in the darkness, and to carry the responsibility and strength of our community. This Essay is a practice of that rich culture.

Tapping into the cultural and ancestral power of Latine culture, this Essay is an exploration of the joys and tribulations of a Latina immigration advocate. A narrative that centers identity in the exploration of the evils of the U.S. immigration system, it details the unsung costs and benefits of existing as an advocate in a space that alienizes you as well. This Essay defiantly demands space rarely granted to Latines to expose the unique challenges and advantages of existing in the intersection of Latinidad and immigration law, particularly in this moment in history.