Diego N. Sánchez, Esq.

Experience

• 

  Students Working for Equal Rights

  Jan 2009 - Jan 2013

  Community Organizer

  S.W.E.R. is an organization founded by undocumented immigrant youth for the liberation of the oppressed. It works to create possibilities and raise awareness in our communities about social justice and equal access to education, satisfying the needs of all individuals with a passion to further their knowledge, by means of grassroots organizing,political education, alliance building, nonviolent direct action and civic engagement. The values that inspire our action are personal growth, youth leadership, and achieving justice and equality through the power of solidarity. Show less

• 

  St Thomas University

  Jan 2009 - Jan 2012

  The Student Government Association is a representative governance body comprised of current undergraduate students, acting as a coordinating committee pursuing initiatives for the betterment of the University. The SGA is responsible for maintaining communication between the students, faculty, and administration by providing the student body with a means to deal with the affairs of students and as a forum for the expression of student views.Key Accomplishment:Campus-wide Common Hour: The common hour enabled new opportunities for community-building among faculty, students, and staff outside the classroom. It is an hour where no classes are scheduled, which provides opportunities for commuter students (80% of undergrads), athletes, and other students to get involved on campus, take advantage of the schools resources, and perform their daily tasks. Show less S.W.E.R. is an organization founded by undocumented immigrant youth for the liberation of the oppressed. It works to create possibilities and raise awareness in our communities about social justice and equal access to education, satisfying the needs of all individuals with a passion to further their knowledge, by means of grassroots organizing,political education, alliance building, nonviolent direct action and civic engagement. The values that inspire our action are personal growth, youth leadership, and achieving justice and equality through the power of solidarity. Show less

  • President of Student Government Association

    Jan 2011 - Jan 2012

  • Treasurer of Student Government Association

    Jan 2010 - Jan 2011

  • President of Students Working for Equal Rights

    Jan 2009 - Jan 2010
• 

  NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2011

  NUFP Fellow

  The NASPA Undergraduate Fellows program is a semi-structured mentoring program for undergraduate students wishing to explore and better understand the field of student affairs and/or higher education. Students and mentors apply as a pair, and if selected are provided the foundation to establish a semi-structured mentoring relationship at their institution. Students, once selected, are known as Fellows, and are also given the opportunity to attend a national conference, participate in paid internships, and participate in the Summer Leadership Institute. Show less

• 

  Florida Immigrant Youth Network

  Jan 2011 - Jan 2013

  Steering Committee

  The Florida Immigrant Youth Network (FIYN) is a statewide, youth-led, grassroots network that seeks to empower and educate the Florida community around immigration issues. Most importantly, it focuses on equal access to education, immigration enforcement, immigrant rights, and the decriminalization and prevention of separation of the immigrant community.

• 

  People For the American Way

  Jan 2011 - Jan 2012

  Fellow at Young People For

  Young People For (YP4) is a long-term leadership development initiative that identifies, engages, and empowers the newest generation of progressive leaders. YP4 focuses on identifying young people who are campus and community leaders today, engaging them in the broader progressive movement, and empowering them with the knowledge, strategies, and skills they can put to work to promote positive, sustainable change in their communities.

• 

  Florida Immigrant Coalition

  May 2012 - Nov 2012

  Florida Immigrant Coalition seeks equal rights for immigrants and integration into the civic and cultural life of our communities. We accomplish our mission through coordination of immigrant organizations and community education, organizing and advocacy.Key Responsibilities: - Manage the Broward County office, team meetings and day-to-day operations- Manage field team of 15 and volunteers and provide training, advice, and guidance- Keep track and meet field operation metrics and goals- Additional: Voter contact, data entry, phone banking, and canvassing Show less Florida Immigrant Coalition seeks equal rights for immigrants and integration into the civic and cultural life of our communities. We accomplish our mission through coordination of immigrant organizations and community education, organizing and advocacy.Key Responsibilities: - Empower and organize immigrant youth to establish Broward County chapter of Students Working for Equal Rights- Train immigrant youth to become community organizers- Identify, build and maintain key relationships with other stakeholders- Organize meetings and public events Show less

  • DREAM Fellow for Civic Engagement

    Aug 2012 - Nov 2012

  • Organizing Intern

    May 2012 - Aug 2012
• 

  Bridge Project

  May 2013 - Aug 2014

  The Bridge Project seeks to engage political leaders from across the political spectrum in support of just and humane federal immigration policies. In order to shape the debate around a sensible and workable immigration reform, the Bridge Project will engage Republicans, Democrats, and others to work in a bi-partisan way. We seek to do this by providing first-hand accounts on the impact of the lack of a functioning immigration system has on immigrant communities, the economy, and country as a whole.Key Responsibilities: - Managed office, team meetings and day-to-day operations- Managed Bridge Project team and provided advice, support, and guidance- Managed the legislative affairs portfolio of the project, tracked and analyzed legislation- Assisted in developing and pursuing a strategy to achieve project goals - Cultivated and maintained key relationships with local and national stakeholders- Performed research to inform and support project goals- Wrote reports, memoranda, and other materials to inform the community and promote achievement of project goalsKey Highlights: - Cited by President Obama for life and scholastic accomplishments in his address to the nation on June 11, 2013. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pASLX05OZis- Represented the Bridge Project when President Obama delivered remarks on immigration reform on October 23, 2013. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcAmBkxIaTw- Part of task force that works with the Department of Homeland Security on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program renewal process and implementation. - Built, maintained relationship, and supported key members of Congress crafting immigration reform legislation; met and educated more than 170 members of Congress (House & Senate), totaling to more than 300 legislative visits in the course of one year.- "Su Voz En DC" weekly segment with Univision Washington, D.C. - "Let's Talk: Immigration" national tour in 7 states, 16 cities Show less The Bridge Project goals are to undertake actions to link political leaders from across the political spectrum in support of just and humane federal immigration policies. In order to shape the debate around a sensible and workable immigration reform, the Bridge Project will engage Republicans, Democrats, and others to work in a bi-partisan way. We seek to do this by providing first-hand accounts on the impact of the lack of a functioning immigration system has on immigrant communities, the economy, and country as a whole. Show less The Bridge Project goals are to undertake actions to link political leaders from across the political spectrum in support of just and humane federal immigration policies. In order to shape the debate around a sensible and workable immigration reform, the Bridge Project will engage Republicans, Democrats, and others to work in a bi-partisan way. We seek to do this by providing first-hand accounts on the impact of the lack of a functioning immigration system has on immigrant communities, the economy, and country as a whole. Show less

  • Co-Director

    Jan 2014 - Aug 2014

  • Associate Director

    Aug 2013 - Dec 2013

  • Senior Research Associate

    May 2013 - Aug 2013
• 

  His House Children's Home

  Aug 2014 - May 2016

  UC Case Manager

  His House Children's Home is a faith-based social services agency fulfilling God's directive to defend the cause of the "weak and fatherless" by providing excellent care and a safe place to call home. His House International was established to care for Unaccompanied Children (UC) hoping to find personal safety and make better lives for themselves in the United States. Many UC are fleeing poor socioeconomic conditions, gang violence or affiliation, homelessness, and abuse. They are also vulnerable to human trafficking. These children from foreign countries are left to face the U.S. immigration process.Responsibilities: Managed cases of clients under Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) care; presented reunification packages to ORR; coordinated legal services for clients. Assessed needs of each client and screened for trafficking concerns. Show less

• 

  Immigration Law Students Association (ILSA)

  Jan 2017 - May 2018

  President

  The Immigration Law Students Association (ILSA) aims to promote awareness and discussion of current and relevant legal immigration issues and to create and promote pro bono service opportunities relating to immigration law at St. Thomas University School of Law. ILSA is devoted to fostering and maintaining a supportive community of immigration law students, as well as facilitating networking among graduates, faculty, industry professionals, and students.

• 

  Equal Justice Works

  Apr 2017 - Feb 2018

  Fellow, Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps JD

  The Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps JD program provides law students with the opportunity to deliver critically needed legal assistance in low-income and underserved communities across the country. The Justice AmeriCorps Program helps immigrant children who have crossed the U.S. border without a parent or guardian. Key responsibilities included: Conduct legal screenings, client intakes, draft legal briefs and motions, perform research, prepare applications for asylum, and provide courtroom support. Show less

• 

  Southern Poverty Law Center

  Aug 2019 - Sept 2022

  The Southeast Immigrant Freedom Initiative (SIFI) aims to safeguard due process by providing high-quality, pro bono legal representation to detained immigrants at four immigrant detention centers in the Deep South.SIFI's objectives:- Protect immigrants’ due process rights- Challenge the deportation machine,- Educate the public about immigrants and thereby change the narrative- Hold law enforcement and detention facility personnel accountable for violations of immigrants’ civil rights- Cultivate and expand attorney engagement.The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy, the SPLC works toward the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality. Show less

  • Interim Policy Counsel, Immigrant Justice

    Mar 2022 - Sept 2022

  • Direct Services Attorney - SIFI

    Aug 2019 - Mar 2022
• 

  Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration

  Sept 2022 - now

  Director of Policy and Strategy

  The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that brings college and university presidents and chancellors together on the immigration issues that impact higher education, our students, campuses, communities and nation. Launched in late 2017, we equip higher education leaders, build sustainable partnerships, support undocumented, international and refugee students, and advocate for just, forward-looking immigration policies and practices at the federal level, in our states, and across our college campuses. We are the only national organization exclusively focused on the intersection of higher education and immigration. The Alliance comprises over 570 presidents and chancellors of public and private colleges and universities, enrolling over five million students in 42 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Show less