Lilián Juárez Armenta is an immigrant from Sinaloa, México. She has lived in the United States since 2009 and now considers California her home. Lilián received an associate degree in political science from Foothill College in 2020, and a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in Hispanic languages, linguistics and bilingualism from the University of California, Berkeley in 2022. During her undergraduate years, Lilián discovered her passion for community organizing and advocacy and has made it her life’s goal to increase access to justice for minorities.

‍

In 2023, Lilián interned at the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda’s Self-Help Center where she helped self-represented litigants with how to understand legal proceedings and how to complete court documents. Lilián also served as a San Francisco Newcomer Support Fellow for the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA). There, Lilián provided case management and family advocacy services to newcomer immigrants, helping them ease their transition to living in the United States. She connected them to community resources and guided them as they navigated complex institutional systems.

‍

As a DreamSF Fellow, Lilián is placed as a legal intern at Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). There, Lilián assists minors with applications for asylum, employment authorization, special juvenile visa, and State court filings in family law and probate court. Lilián is excited for the knowledge and skills she will gain since she plans on becoming an attorney in the near future.

‍

Lilián is currently preparing to apply to law school in the fall. In her free time, Lilián enjoys cooking, going to reggaeton concerts, and weightlifting!