Alumnus Jose Lopez-Hernandez Fights for Immigrants' Rights

Jose Lopez HernandezColin Powell School graduate Jose Lopez-Hernandez recently celebrated his two-year anniversary working with the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights. A beneficiary of DACA, Jose knows first-hand about the struggles immigrants face on their paths towards lawful residency. As a CCNY student, Jose spent a semester in DC interning for Congressman Adriano Espaillat and proved himself to be a strong advocate for immigrants. Through his time working in the Congressman’s office and with the Democratic Governors Association, Jose developed a network of contacts that helped him to be hired by the NMCIR and continue his work to serve immigrant communities. Jose’s experiences provided by his time at the Colin Powell School have helped him to achieve a rewarding career that is vital to his community.

 

Where are you from and what is your background?

I was born in Mexico City, Mexico. At the age of 5, I was brought to the U.S., along with my younger sister, by our mother to live in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., a small city upstate where my Dad had been working to provide for us back in Mexico. Although I was only 5 years old and not aware of everything, it was still a challenge to adapt to a new way of life; one where I would have to learn a new language and culture and also later realize how my immigration status would limit my opportunities. Growing up in upstate NY further showed me first-hand how few resources there were for aspiring first-generation college students like me; the majority of college information sessions were in English, which only made it more challenging for my parents to understand the process. At the time, no state financial aid was available to undocumented students, and my immigration status prevented me from being eligible for College credit classes while in high school. It wasn’t until the summer of 2012 that former President Obama issued his executive order that established DACA. Through DACA, I was able to obtain an Employment Authorization Document that allowed me to legally work, get a driver’s license, and feel a sense of relief. It is because of my experiences and hardships as a first-generation college student that I knew I wanted to make a difference in my community.

What brought you to City College and the Colin Powell School?

After getting my Associates Degree from Dutchess Community College, I knew I wanted to continue my education in New York City, more specifically at CUNY. My original interest was to do architecture, and City College was the only CUNY campus to offer that program, but after much thought, I decided that my passion was greater for the social sciences. I loved the CCNY campus and its variety of programs and activities, and I therefore applied to the International Studies program at the Colin Powell School.

What did you study at the Colin Powell School?

I majored in International Studies with a concentration in International Relations and a minor in Public Policy. I pursued this because I wanted to get a well-rounded education to pursue a career in government and nonprofit work. I was also particularly interested in learning about world politics to get a good sense of why things are the way they are. Public policy allowed me to learn about the importance of policy making and its challenges, specifically in the U.S. I was always interested in learning about why the U.S.’s immigration system was broken, why DACA recipients like me did not have a path to Citizenship.

The Colin Powell School pushed me to think outside the box. The majority of my professors were helpful and willing to go out of their way to help me. One professor in particular, Dr. Leslie Paik from the Sociology department, pushed me to apply to the Semester in DC program. I remember being concerned that my immigration status would not allow me to apply or that I would be in jeopardy of deportation by being in D.C. and so close to federal agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security. The coursework is rigorous and gets you to be a critical thinker. The Colin Powell School as a whole has given me the confidence to believe in my potential.

What can you tell us about your participation in the Semester in DC in 2018 and your internship with Congressman Espaillat?

The Semester in DC program was life-changing to say the least. The way the program is set up allowed me to fully immerse myself in my classes, my internships, and the DC experience. By housing with classmates in the same program, we were able to be each other’s support system, learn from each other, and have similar schedules where we could enjoy museums and other activities together. We had exceptional speakers come to our classes and share their experiences and give us career advice. While in DC, I had the chance to intern at both Congressman Espaillat’s Office and at the Democratic Governors Association. I would spend more time at the Congressman’s Office because I was needed for more projects that included speaking in Spanish. It was important to me to intern for Congressman Espaillat because he too was undocumented at one point. He was a strong advocate for DACA and immigrants as a whole. During my internship, I was able to attend congressional briefings and write memos for his staff. I even had the opportunity to write a brief statement for the Congressman to read on the House floor.

What can you tell us about your employment with the executive director of the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights (NMCIR) and how you successfully procured the position?

One of the things I learned in DC was the importance of networking, and I did just that to land my current job at NMCIR. After graduating, I reached out to Congressman Espaillat’s chief of staff, who is based in Harlem-Washington Heights, to see if she could connect me with an organization in upper Manhattan. She immediately put me in touch with the executive director at NMCIR who was looking for an administrative assistant, and within two weeks I was hired. 

At NMCIR, I have seen how community-based organizations are a lifeline for underrepresented individuals. COVID-19 has only reinforced this notion - it is organizations like NMCIR that are on the frontlines providing vital legal services, food assistance, and when available, cash assistance. Through my role, I provide direct support to the legal department and also assist the general operations of the organization. I continue to learn about immigration law and how a reform is overdue to provide undocumented families, not just DREAMers, a path towards lawful status. I also had the opportunity this past November to participate in a press conference with Congressman Espaillat and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer to speak in support of DACA when the Supreme Court began hearing oral arguments on the case.

What advice would you give students and alumni who are also looking to pursue opportunities at a nonprofit organization?

I would say that the hard work in the nonprofit sector is worth it and rewarding. Nonprofits serve the most marginalized people in our communities, and you will find that you can make a difference in people's lives through this vital work. These experiences tend to be life-changing and allow you to see first-hand what the actual needs of communities are. There are many organizations throughout the five boroughs and beyond, in all types of fields, that are always looking for volunteers or interns, and I strongly believe this type of work can give students a solid foundation and long-lasting learning experiences that can be carried onto any career.

 

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