As the child of Cuban political refugees, Heather Perez’17 is passionate about immigration law. She’s already changing lives. And she says donors are the reason she’s able to do it.
This year, Perez received a post-graduate fellowship in public service law funded by the 3L Class Gift Campaign and Graduates Of the Last Decade (GOLD) contributions. She’s working with the Political Asylum Immigration Representation (PAIR) Project helping asylum seekers fighting to stay in the US.
Her work is not far removed from her first real-world experience at BC Law helping immigrants. Perez enrolled in the Immigration Clinic during her 2L year, ultimately arguing successfully at her client’s deportation hearing. Over two summers as a Mary Daly Curtin and John J. Curtin Jr. Public Interest Fellow, she dealt with children and families seeking to build new lives here.
Perez is quick to point out the crucial role donors have played in every part of her BC Law journey. In addition to fellowships, she received financial aid that helped her pay for law school. “I’m so grateful for every person who gives to BC Law. Thanks to them, I’m not only developing real-world skills, but real people are getting the help they need, right now.”
A GOLD donor herself, Perez says, “I came to BC Law because I believe in the power of the law to make change for the better. I want to support that in every way I can.”