As a former undocumented student, I know first hand about the incredible challenges DREAMERS go through to pay for college tuition. I will never forget going through such stress. I am doing this GoFund Me Campaign for my friend Karla to celebrate her birthday, and to also celebrate her accomplishments because she has the tenacity, courage, and dedication to pursue a legal education despite the barriers. 

Karla is an incredible individual and an asset to the legal community. Any donation, no matter how small, will help her continue to push through and complete her legal education. Karla is attending law school part-time and our goal of $10,000 will cover the portion not covered by her scholarships. Your contributions and generosity will really help Karla who, during her first year of law school, has already made a positive impression in Portland’s legal community. She has inspired many of us with her resilience.

Despite the hardships Karla has endured as an undocumented immigrant, she managed to graduate from U.C. Davis and acquire leadership skills through community service. After college, she joined the Napa Valley Dream Team to help immigrants in Napa County. She later joined Immigrants Rising (formerly Educators for Fair Consideration) to support immigrants at a national level.These organizations exposed Karla to mentors who encouraged her journey to resilience and professional development.

In 2014, Karla received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a permit that is renewable every two years and allows her to work in the United States. She worked for the Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA), where she attended immigration court trainings and helped asylum seekers at the Mexican border. While DACA became a form of immigration relief that enabled her to work in the non-profit and immigrant justice sector, it, unfortunately, did not fully create stability. Karla is not eligible to receive any type of federally funded loans or public service loan forgiveness. Most private lenders will not approve a loan application because of her immigration status.

When news broke of the announcement to terminate the DACA program, it created a sense of urgency on Karla to pursue a legal education. Determined to attend law school, she withdrew five years’ worth of retirement savings to pay for her first semester. She worked two part-time jobs through half of the first semester. Past hardships taught her that “hard work strengthens character, and character is what contributes to success.” However, COVID-19 has further complicated Karla’s ability to work and continue to save enough money to help her pay for tuition.

As you can see, she is an exceptional individual with years of experience helping the community. Ushering diversity and inclusion in the legal profession has never been more crucial to promote equity and accessibility to the law. Karla’s story is compelling and courageous, but she is barely making it. I urge that you please not let such talent go to waste. Underprivileged communities need legal advocates who are passionate about seeking out and breaking down the structural barriers of inequalities. Meaningful change that affects underrepresented communities needs leadership and inspiration driven by individuals who have navigated under similar circumstances through this society.


Thank you for the time spent reading her story and for your support. Even if you are unable to donate, we encourage you to please share it with others. La lucha sigue, pero unidos somos mas fuertes!