Meet our team!
Vanessa Anguiano
Vanessa is a third-year Education Sciences major with a minor in Human Rights and Migration.
My father immigrated to the United States from Mexico City in pursuit of a better life than living in poverty. I grew up in San Diego hearing stories of undocumented immigrants being deported, which left me afraid everyday that my father would be next. His legal status was a secret I kept hidden, until he was lucky enough to be granted legal status after attempting to receive it for 30 years. I never understood why immigrants were considered “illegal” on stolen land, and as a result sparked my passion towards advocating for equal rights. I hope to provide insight and a voice for immigrants’ struggles through the MMFRP, as well as gain an understanding of the fight refugees face.
Natalia Arias
Natalia is a third year Sociology major with a concentration in International Studies with a minor in Middle East Studies
I am a first-generation Latina college student at UCSD. I was born in a small city in Mexico known as Los Reyes de Michoacan. When I was around 7 months my mom faced a demanding decision to remain in Mexico or immigrate to the US. The instant my mom stepped into the walls of this nation, she sacrificed her life and family in Mexico in pursuit of providing me with an opportunity to pursue education. When my mom and I entered the walls of this country our legal status threatened our well-being. However, throughout the years of residing in California we have had the privilege of becoming naturalized. By participating in this program, I look forward to expanding my knowledge in international migration especially since immigration has become a focal component of my story. I aspire to become a voice that is equipped with the right set of skills to listen to the struggles that other immigrants are confronted with. Only then, I can advocate for immigrant policies that positively impact the quality of life immigrants receive.
Rosalinda Blancarte
Rosalinda is a third year Anthropology major with a concentration in sociocultural anthropology.
I am a first-generation college student. I was born and raised in San Diego, more specifically Chula Vista. My maternal grandparents immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico and my dad immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico when he was 15. Growing up, my family and I used to go to Tijuana all the time. Going to Tijuana all the time made me aware of the border and how unfair and unjust it was. I remember thinking about why it was so easy to go into Tijuana but it was so difficult and time consuming to cross back to the U.S. I hope that by participating in the MMFRP I can learn more about immigration and use this knowledge throughout my whole life to inform any work I do and to help others better.
Melody Cervantes
Melody Cervantes is a fourth-year Sociology major with a concentration in Culture and Communication.
My name is Melody Cervantes (she/her/ella). I am a proud first generation transfer student. I was born and raised in Southeast San Diego, a community predominantly made up of hard working immigrant families. My parents emigrated from a small rancho outside of Culiacán, Sinaloa and Ameca, Jalisco. I hope to develop a deeper understanding of how the immigration “crisis” is tied into systems of capitalism, imperialism, climate change, etc. I want to contribute to research that focuses on uplifting Latinx immigrants and demystifies racist and xenophobic ideas of the Latinx community. I am honored to join the MMFRP team and hope to make deep connections with my peers and the communities we collaborate with.
Raquel Chavez
Raquel Chavez is a fourth year Sociology major with a concentration in International Studies
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Both of my parents migrated from Mexico when they were young. My mother was raised by her father, a man who worked three jobs. He worked tirelessly to give his children a better life. As hard as he worked, he always seemed to come up short, being terribly underpaid and treated unfairly in and out of the workplace. Even with these results, his tenacity and determination never wavered. His story inspires me to advocate for migrants and people of color, which has led me to volunteer and intern with an organization that helps them unionize and protect their businesses. Along with this, I transferred from community college last year and like to say that this experience has made me an even harder worker to obtain my goals. I am passionate, understanding, and determined about this research, as this project feels very close to my heart.
Kalani Curl
Kalani is a fourth year communication major.
I am a Guatemalan-American, first generation college student, as well as a transfer student. I’ve lived in San Diego my whole life. My mom is Guatemalan-American and my dad is American, or white. My mom migrated to the United States at the age of 15. I don’t know much about her immigration story. I only know the little she’s shared with me. I do know that my mom is a fighter. She is the hardest working person I know. She is a business owner, a single mother and a strong woman. For me this program is a way to honor my mom and all that she’s overcome and done. Through this program, I hope to learn about the barriers in place for migrants and to be an advocate for the Latinx community.
Lizbeth Diaz
Lizbeth Diaz is a second-year Political Science major with a concentration in Public Law and a minor in Environmental Studies.
I am a second-generation immigrant college student born to a Mexican mom and Puerto Rican dad. I was born in Chula Vista, CA but have lived in Tijuana, Mexico my whole life. I grew up crossing the border everyday to go to school in San Diego. As I grew up witnessing the economic and cultural differences between the US and Mexico I became interested in immigration as it has always been an important aspect of my life. As a Political Science major I hope to one day become an immigration lawyer and help create a faster and safer immigration pathway for migrants. I joined this program because as I have witnessed both sides of immigration I wanted to help give back to my community while also obtaining some research experience in a field that interests me.
Melanie Dubon
Melanie Dubon is a fourth year Global Health major with a minor in Healthcare-Social Issues
I am a first-generation Latina college student who is from San Pablo, California. I am the proud daughter of Salvadoran and Guatemalan parents. Having grown up in a predominantly Latino town with an oil refinery in our backyard, I had a small glimpse of how external environmental factors could disproportionately affect our communities. Since coming to UCSD, I have been able to expand my knowledge about the various structural factors that can contribute to health aside from a person’s individual behaviors. I have become most interested in immigrant/refugee health and women’s health as they are communities that I hold very close to my heart. In the MMFRP I hope to continue spreading light on the importance of environmental health as well as immigration reform.
Gloria Gonzalez
Gloria is a fourth year Sociology major with a concentration in Law and Society.
I am a first generation transfer student at UCSD and a proud daughter of an immigrant mother from Mexico. I joined the MMFRP program because, growing up, I lived five minutes away from the San Ysidro border. My mom, grandma, and many other women in my life were immigrants and worked cleaning houses. I remember my mom used to pick up my grandma from the border on days she had to work before taking my brother and I to school and one time, my grandma didn’t want to bother us so we found her at the bus stop near our house at 5am while driving by. These experiences sparked my interest in the relationship between immigration and labor. While I am grateful for the opportunities that I have had in my life, such as pursuing a higher education, I am aware that they have not come without sacrifices from my family, and specifically my mom. Through this program, I hope to give back to the Latinx community while learning more about immigration policies which have always been a big factor on how my family experienced everyday life.
Crystal Hernández
Crystal is a second-year Psychology major with a specialization in Clinical Psychology
I am a first-generation Mexican-American student who grew up in East LA, an unincorporated part of Los Angeles full of culture, history, and the powerful voices of Latine people. My parents grew up in the state of Guerrero in Mexico, and for all that they loved their home, they knew they had to leave to escape increasing violence and poverty. For as long as I can remember, the threat of deportation has always loomed in the back of my mind. My community consisted of those deemed “criminals” by the media and I remember having nightmares of my parents being taken away. This prolonged fear and the overall confusion I had regarding my parents immigration story led me to seek out the truth, and along the way, MMFRP. With my participation, I hope to be able to learn more about the stories of immigrants, seeing them not only for their pain, but their joy as well. I’m excited to learn more about policy, history, and how to advocate alongside the workers in the Imperial Valley to ensure the rights that they deserve.
Jennifer López Guisa
Jennifer is a 4th-year Sociology major with a minor in Law and Society
As the daughter of two Mexican migrants, from the time I was a young girl, I have been taught what hard work is and the doors it can open for you. Growing up my parents always allowed me to dream big in terms of what I could do in my future. This unconditional support allowed me to branch out into a career nobody in my immediate family has ever done. Deciding to pursue a career as an immigration lawyer stems from growing up surrounded by immigrant communities and seeing how hardworking and deserving they were of having their voices heard and amplified. I hope to serve as someone who can help unite families and advocate for those whose rights are being denied. As an undergraduate student, the MMFRP will give me my first opportunity to experience working in migration, and for that, I am forever grateful.
Giovanna Meza
Giovanna is a third year Literatures in English Major minoring in Linguistics and Human Rights and Migration
I am a first-generation college student who transferred to UCSD from Imperial Valley College. I grew up in a border town named Calexico where most families just like mine immigrated from Baja California, Mexico. Being raised in an environment where 90% of the people around me were Mexican I really embraced my culture. My mom always made it clear that she moved us to this country so I could pursue a higher education and now I’m here proving her sacrifices worth it. My goal is to go back and teach ESL and citizenship courses at IVC to help the immigrant population there. I want to be able to give back to the community who helped make me who I am today and the MMFRP can aid me in doing so.
Lynicia Moody
Lynicia is a third year Business Economics major with a minor in Human Rights and Migration
I am a proud first-generation college student at UCSD. I grew up right here in San Diego, California, within a low-income family with a unique history. My family has seen six generations of teen mothers, and my father immigrated from Mexico. While some might view my background as disadvantaged, I have been fortunate to experience unwavering support and love from my grandparents and cherished family friends. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the incredible impact a tight-knit community can have in altering the trajectory of future generations, shaping not only my life but also those of my three sisters. It’s this profound understanding that drew me to the community-based research of the MMFRP. I hold a strong belief in the importance of amplifying immigrant voices rather than speaking on their behalf. Thus, I feel immensely honored to be part of a research team that shares this commitment. Being a member of this team allows me to contribute to a collective effort dedicated to sharing the diverse stories of immigrants within the Imperial Valley.
Giselle Palomera
Giselle is a second-year Sociology major.
I am a first-generation college student at UCSD. Both my parents are from Mexico, my dad being from Jalisco, and my mom being from Nayarit. Growing up I didn’t hear a lot of my parents stories from Mexico or even how they came, it wasn’t until I asked when I was 15 did they share some of their heartbreaking details. Like how when my mom crossed the border she was caught by immigration and was placed in Tijuana, a city she’s never known. It wasn’t until I heard these stories did I realize I hardly knew anything about immigration. It was then when I came to college that I started to learn more about the injustices that immigrants face trying to cross over the border and the cruel conditions of detention centers. It made me even more curious about the real stories from other people and their immigration process. I wanted to learn more about these stories and thought MMFRP was the right place to do just that. I joined this research program to learn more about immigration, and the injustices immigrants face. I hope to come out of this program with a greater understanding of migration and how it impacts communities.
Melony Piña Lopez
Melony is a fourth-year Sociology Major with a concentration in Law and Society and a Minor in Business.
I am a Mexican American first-generation transfer student at UCSD. I’m the oldest daughter of 3 to a single immigrant father from San Luis Potosi, Mexico. I was born and raised in barrio logan near Chicano Park area where the community was predominantly low-income and Latinx. Growing up I constantly witnessed my father’s sacrifices, hard work, and determination to push my sisters and me forward. As my father worked day and night, I as the eldest was placed in a position as a mother figure where I had to raise my sisters and myself on my own from the age of 10. I was deprived of a childhood due to the position given to me of having to be the best role model for my sisters. My mother left due to her ignorant and selfish behavior and her unhealthy addiction to drugs and alcohol. There were times when I would witness my mother threaten my father with deportation and the “migra” if he didn’t supply her needs or give her money. My father always feared deportation and would restrict himself from ever going to certain areas in San Diego due to the “migra’s” presence. My father lost countless jobs due to his immigration status and always feared not being able to provide for his daughters. I always admired my father’s hard work, motivation, and perseverance to continue forward and push through the turmoil. I aspire to become an immigration lawyer like many of my peers and help immigrants like my father who sacrifice and work hard every day to provide and always be there for their families in a country where they are continuously degraded, segregated, and pushed away. I hope to grow in the MMFRP program as a person and gain a greater insight and understanding of the lives of many immigrants who simply look for a better future.
Tiffany Quintero
Tiffany is a fourth year Latin American Studies major with a concentration in Migration and Border Studies.
As a native of San Diego and as someone who has had to regularly cross the US-Mexico border, immigration and giving back to my community has always been on the forefront of my mind. This interest has been especially driven by having experienced the detention and eventual deportation of my mother. With this sudden shift, my family and I had to grapple with the new parameters of our lives and had to quickly come to terms with being a binational family, with my mother on one side of the border and us on the other. As a result I am extremely interested in learning as much as possible about the impacts borders have and on the communities surrounding these spaces. I hope that my participation in this program will further expand my knowledge and that I am able to be of some use in the research we look to accomplish.
Heidy Ramon
Heidy is a 4th year Global Health Major on the Pre-Med track with a minor in human development.
I am the daughter of a Guatemala father and a daughter of a Mexican mother. I was born and raised in Escondido, California where strawberry pickers can be seen from the highway. As a first generation UCSD student, I have gained passion and compassion for my community as well as communities where injustices have been committed and the need for care is essential. I hope to become a doctor and concentrate on family medicine. In order to do so, I must expose myself to the stories and struggles of people. Although growing up my parents could not afford the best doctors, my underfunded clinic thrived with doctors who spoke Spanish, who were patient, and who always made the visit less nerve racking. I aspire to become a doctor where I can truly understand not just the patient’s medical needs, but also their needs to be heard.
Francisca Karina Rivera
Francisca Karina Rivera is a third year Public – Global Health Doctoral student with an M.A. in Global Health and B.A’s in both Global Health and Sociocultural Anthropology.
I am a first generation Central American and Puerto Rican woman, as well as a first generation university graduate. My mother and maternal family are all immigrants from Guatemala. They migrated from Guatemala in the 1970’s and began to settle in Maryland and Southern California. My father and his siblings were born in Patillas, Puerto Rico and migrated and settled in Maryland and Pennsylvania. As a first generation U.S. born woman I have witnessed and experienced the hardships that my family has lived through in order to build a life and integrate into U.S. society. Unfortunately, many, if not all of my elders experienced a life plagued with financial hardships, addiction, poverty, mental health challenges, physical illnesses, and other hardships that coincide with migration. For many, those negative experiences were insurmountable and they continued a cycle of transgenerational trauma. Through my role as a researcher and academic I hope to continue to gain experience working with vulnerable populations through conducting community engaged research that informs initiatives that can be utilized to reduce health disparities and inequities among systematically disadvantaged populations. I am excited to be part of the MMFRP, as the work and research conducted advances my academic and career goals as well as supports the recognition, validation, and inclusion of Latinx immigrant communities near the U.S.-MX border region.
Beatriz Rodelo
Beatriz is a fourth year Sociology Major with a concentration in Law and Society
I am a first generation college student and mother. I grew up in Sinaloa, Mexico up to 13 years of age. I moved to San Leandro, CA afterwards. Growing up in Sinaloa, Mexico involved spending most of my time in the fields with my father, who is a farmer. This also meant watching kids as young as 5 years of age working the fields under scorching heat for hardly any money. This also came with a heavy exposure to pesticides. Since an early age I felt a deep desire to help the community, especially farmers. My passion grew as I moved to the U.S.and realized this problem only became bigger and more marginalized on a broader spectrum. Although I am a U.S. citizen due to my grandfather’s involvement through the Bracero Program it did not prevent me from facing major challenges during my journey. Once I moved to the U.S. I had to survive, adapt and modify myself into this new lifestyle, language and school system. It has been rough and intense and I truly cannot imagine what this journey would have been if I wouldn’t be a citizen. This is why I truly want to invest myself as much as possible in the MMFRP program. I want to spend time with the people of Imperial Valley from all working backgrounds and to allow me to somehow be a voice for their needs and make myself and others more aware of struggles that go unheard.
Elena Rodriguez
Elena Rodriguez is a fourth-year Sociology major with a concentration in Law & Society and a minor in International Studies.
I am a fourth-year undergraduate student and come from a multicultural family. I am a proud daughter of a Chinese-American mother and an immigrant father from Argentina. My upbringing took place in one of the oldest neighborhoods in the San Francisco Bay Area. During my high school years, I attended a school where the majority of students were learning English as a second language, and a significant number were undocumented. This experience ignited my passion for immigration studies and advocacy as I gained insight into the hardships and challenges faced by undocumented immigrants in the United States. Through the MMFRP, I aim to acquire a deeper understanding of the challenges and experiences of immigrants and refugees, with the ultimate aim of advocating for change and the implementation of improved policies and safety measures.
Oliver Rodriguez
Oliver is a third-year Political Science and Latin American Studies double major with a minor in Spanish Literature.
I am the proud son of two Mexican immigrants; my mother is from Mexicali, and my father is from Tijuana. I grew up in the predominantly white community of Temecula, California, where I slowly lost connection to my family’s heritage. Only through my connection to my grandmother did I maintain a semblance of connection to that culture and heritage. Sadly, when I entered high school she was diagnosed with dementia. To preserve my connection to her through knowledge of her culture, I read more books about Mexican and Latin American culture, re-learned Spanish, and paid more attention to current events. As I finished high school, my effort to preserve a connection to my grandmother became a passion for immigrant rights and struggles. Now, my studies at UCSD aim to put me in the best position to fight for immigrants as an immigration attorney. I am excited to join the MMFRP team as a first step in my journey to help immigrants in the United States and beyond.
Lillian Vazquez
Lillian Vazquez is a second-year Ethnic Studies major.
I am a first-generation Mexican-American from South Central Los Angeles, a predominantly Black and Brown low-income community with a large migrant population. Both of my parents migrated from their hometowns in Puebla, Mexico as teenagers. Once they came to the U.S., they worked in clothing and garment factories for less than minimum wage. The only jobs available to them were ones that took advantage of their undocumented status and because of that, we struggled financially like many other families in my community. As I grew up, I continued to notice these disparities and became interested in learning more about them and how to effectively combat them. I am very eager to learn more about immigration law, policies, and the effects they have on migrant communities while engaging in community-based research through the MMFRP.
Mexican Migration Field Research Program 