Denia Perez, former scholar, fellow and staff member, talks about learning to have pride in her immigrant heritage.

Denia Perez first came into Immigrants Rising as a New American Scholar in 2010. She quickly volunteered for the Legal Services and Outreach Teams, helped plan social events, and participated in the Creative Writing Program. Denia also served as the Legal Services Coordinator for two years before moving to Connecticut to pursue her law degree. After receiving her JD, she became the first DACA beneficiary ever to become a licensed attorney in Connecticut. Denia now works on Make the Road New York’s deportation defense team (as part of a fellowship with Immigrant Justice Corps).