National Hispanic Heritage Month
Fall 2024 Archer Fellow Profiles
Daniel A. Gallegos Banda
The University of Texas at Dallas Archer Fellowship Internships: Embassy of Mexico / Legal Aid I identify as a first-generation Mexican immigrant Describe your internship roles and responsibilities. At the Immigration Project at Legal Aid, I assist with client interviews and clerical work and attend training in immigration law (e.g., CLE courses and professional lectures). At the Congressional Affairs Office at the Embassy of Mexico, I analyze bills, letters, and other congressional developments to assess their impact on U.S.-Mexico relations and broader foreign affairs. Alongside interactions with staff from other embassies, I may have the opportunity to meet Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female president! What do you like about Legal Aid? At Legal Aid, I interpreted for an 11-year-old boy seeking asylum who survived a two-week journey to the US alone, searching for a better life. His story deeply resonated with my own struggles as a DREAMER, reminding me of why I chose to pursue immigration law. I hope that being someone who looked like him, who spoke his language, I was able to offer a sense of comfort. In that moment, I wasn’t just an interpreter—I felt like a cousin or brother, someone he could trust, someone I never had. How has your ethnic identity shaped your experiences as an Archer Fellow in Washington, D.C.? I often discuss this question with my cohort. Growing up undocumented, my family felt pressured to hide our cultural roots and assimilate into American culture. For much of my life, I felt ashamed of my Mexican heritage, embarrassed by the fact that I wasn’t “from here.” It wasn’t until college, where I advocated for Hispanic communities through LULAC and the "Dreamers of Today" campaign that I began to see my Mexican identity as a strength—a source of empowerment and pride, rather than something to conceal. I consider the Archer Fellowship a full-circle moment— a representation of the perfect intersection of my goals and my identity. In addition to learning the intricacies of immigration law at Legal Aid DC, I went from feeling ashamed of my heritage to now embracing my culture in the highest office of the Mexican government in the United States. I strive to be a source of inspiration for others by proudly embracing and representing my Mexican heritage, showing that our identity is something to celebrate and can lead to incredible opportunities. |
Barbara Molina Valles
The University of Texas at El Paso Archer Fellowship Internship: Latin American Working Group I identify as Latina Describe your internship roles and responsibilities. As an intern, I assist with the four campaigns of the Latin American Working Group: Promote Peace, Protect Migrants & Refugees, Uphold Justice and Defend the Defenders, and Advance Land, Economic & Environmental Rights. One of my responsibilities is researching articles, videos, reports, or letters for the two weekly news briefs sent to the public. The first is Migration News Brief (MNB), which compiles articles and reports on migration in the Latin American community. Some subjects researched in the MNB are Mexican enforcement, gender and LGBTQ+, and root causes, which involves investigating specific countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Cuba. The other news brief sent out to the public is the Colombian News Brief (CNB), which focuses on articles, reports, letters, and videos regarding the peace processes, U.S-Colombian relations, human rights, continued armed conflict, and migration issues. Another responsibility as an intern is to post on different social media platforms about crises, alerts, movements, and events related to social injustices or ongoing cases in Latin America. This is important because social media is accessible to almost everyone, and using it to inform a broader public is a positive approach. Attending weekly meetings and taking notes are also part of my tasks. These meetings with amazing people and organizations provide valuable opportunities to learn more deeply about the situations in Latin America, as I am exposed to more information, experiences, opinions, and perspectives that help me build my analytical skills. Furthermore, my internship includes a key responsibility of staying informed and educating others on the issues affecting Latin American communities. This role is essential to our group's mission and reflects my commitment to making a difference. What do you like about the Latin American Working Group? We recently held an event marking the tenth anniversary of the most remembered disappearance case in Mexican history—the case of the 43 missing students in Ayotzinapa, Guerrero. The event was called "Empty Graves, Empty Promises: A Photographic Journey into Mexico's Disappearance Crisis," where we showcased a photographic tribute to the over 116,000 victims of enforced disappearances in Mexico since 1952. The exhibit told the story of those who disappeared and those who have been tirelessly searching for them. During the event, I had the opportunity to meet Maria de Jesus Salinas, one of the speakers. She is a Madre Buscadora-- a searching mother. Maria is looking for her daughter Atzin, who disappeared in Mexico in February of 2019. After the event, she gave us an interview, where I learned more about her case and her experiences searching for her daughter. The interview was not easy; it broke my heart. What Maria is going through is unimaginable, and I know that many cases like this are even worse—it is the sad reality in Mexico. One quote that I am still thinking about is, "A veces me ves llorando pero mi alma, mi mente está pensando, ¿dónde estás? ¿Dónde estarás?" which can be translated as "Sometimes you see me crying, but my soul and my mind are thinking, 'Where are you, where will you be?'" During the interview, I learned about the bravery, courage, and force that Maria and all of the Madres Buscadoras have. Like Maria, there are thousands of mothers looking for their family members who will not give up and do not accept the lack of government intervention. The government is not taking action in these cases of disappearances; they are not following the proper procedures, and the constant ignorance of these crimes is not acceptable anymore. My interview with Maria profoundly impacted my internship experience and my life. Working with the Latin America Working Group has made me more aware of the harsh realities faced by many in Mexico. It has inspired me to be an advocate and voice for those who are marginalized and neglected. Understanding the injustices perpetuated by the government and society has made me more determined to take action, making my internship a valuable opportunity I will never forget. |
Ruby Lorel Rodriguez
The University of Texas at El Paso Archer Fellowship Internship: Organization of American States (OAS) I identify as Mexican Describe your internship roles and responsibilities. My internship is with the Organization of American States (OAS), a pivotal intergovernmental organization in the Americas. The OAS is committed to advancing democracy, human rights, security, and social and economic development. In my role, I support the core functions of the Office of the Assistant Secretary General and the Permanent Council by reviewing and editing meeting minutes for accuracy, ensuring alignment with audio recordings, and maintaining high standards of clarity in English and Spanish. I also contribute to drafting and structuring the minutes to streamline the documentation of Council sessions and ensure transparency in a democratic process. My role also involves attending Permanent Council meetings to identify speakers and their respective languages, facilitating precise transcription and language coordination. This meticulous approach ensures that the Council's deliberations and decisions are accurately captured and communicated to member states. By becoming familiar with the issues under consideration and parliamentary procedures, I contribute to the Office's mission of efficiently supporting the decision-making processes and communication among OAS member states. What do you like about OAS? What I appreciate most about my internship is the unique opportunity to engage with world leaders across the Americas, who actively discuss and collaborate on solutions to critical issues facing the Western Hemisphere. It’s inspiring to witness how the various facets of the OAS work together to advance the organization's core pillars. Additionally, I value the supportive environment within my internship cohort, where I’ve built strong professional relationships and lasting friendships. I feel fortunate to be doing work I am passionate about in an organization where I can envision myself building a future career. How has your ethnic identity shaped your experiences as an Archer Fellow in Washington, D.C.? My ethnic identity has significantly shaped my experiences as an Archer Fellow. As a Hispanic, first-generation student, I initially struggled with imposter syndrome in Washington, D.C., feeling out of place among such accomplished peers. However, I quickly realized that my presence there was not just for myself but for the thousands of students like me who aspire to break barriers. I felt a profound responsibility to honor my family's sacrifices and to prove that I belong in these spaces, motivating me to work harder and make my journey meaningful. |