LSJ alumna Clare Morrison, class of 2014, said LSJ more than prepared her for AmeriCorps, which placed her with the Northwest Immigrants Rights Project (NWIRP) in Wenatchee, Washington where she has been working since July.
AmeriCorps “engages more than 75,000 Americans in intensive service each year at nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups across the country,” according to their website. Morrison’s yearlong position has allowed her to work with immigration policy – a passion of hers.
“Right now we are working on getting work permits for people brought here as children,” she said. “It’s huge; it’s going to make a huge difference in peoples lives.”
She is referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program recently enlarged by President Barack Obama. Morrison said unfortunately the program is on hold, but NWIRP hopes to soon be able to hold workshops educating those impacted by DACA all over eastern Washington.
“Not having papers just adds so much fear,” she said. “Allowing someone the right to be here legally just makes a huge difference in their lives.”
Morrison explained how the LSJ major set her up to succeed with NWIRP.
“It pushed me to think critically about systems and the way that they impact people’s lives,” she said. “In LSJ I learned a lot about mass incarceration and in this job I am able to see how it really ties in with the immigration system.”
She emphasized the importance of a course she took with Professor Angelina Godoy focused on human rights in Latin America.
“She talked a lot about how systemic theories for how human rights can be perpetrated – I see a lot of that in the immigration system because it is this really bureaucratic structure,” Morrison said. “Like ‘this is the law we have to follow it,’ but it is not something that respects peoples basic human rights.”
Janet Moran, another LSJ alumna, class of 2013, also works at the NWIRP as a legal advocate. For her, breaking stereotypes is of the utmost importance.
“Coming from a Latina family, I always had this knowledge my parents taught me about the world,” Moran said. “Clients come in with these stereotypes like you can’t trust police officers because they are undocumented and afraid. We are breaking these stereotypes.”
As for advice, Moran says get your feet wet – volunteer and get an internship. Morrison said the same, recommending working with AmeriCorps.
“I think AmeriCorps is a good way to figure out if you actually like the position and to also make connections,” Morrison said. “Be open to location, do your research, and use your adviser.”
By Kate Clark Student Communications Assistant