IIBA Volunteer: Samantha May
Samantha May volunteered for IIBA in 2015, and her time at IIBA inspired her to pursue a career in immigration law. "After hours spent reading about what people were fleeing from and what they wanted here," Samantha said, "I realized that I wanted to devote my career to helping immigrants."
IIBA Client: Carlos Macias Prieto
For almost three decades, Carlos and his family have come to IIBA for help with immigration paperwork. When he finally received his green card, Carlos was able to visit Mexico, for the first time in twenty years.
Close to Home: IIBA’s Karla Márquez
When the North Bay fires broke out on Sunday, October 8, Karla Márquez could see the smoke not far from home. She knew people would need help, so she sprung into action, seeking the nearest evacuation center.
Former IISF Executive Director: Terry De Luca Schooler
As IIBA celebrates 100 years of serving immigrants and refugees, we will be sharing stories of the IIBA family throughout time. We hope you enjoy learning more about our rich history in the Bay Area.
It is our pleasure to introduce you to Terry De Luca Schooler, former Executive Director of International Institute of San Francisco in the 1960s.
Stories from the Border
IIBA deployed six staff members to the border to give witness to what is happening, to stand for the rights of people who have crossed the border, to serve as translators, to provide much-needed legal expertise, and to bring compassion to those who have received far too little of it.
IIBA Volunteer: Rie Sugisawa
As a naturalized citizen, Rie Sugisawa wanted to use her knowledge of the naturalization process to help others. So Rie volunteers every week at IIBA’s Napa office, administering “mock” interviews to IIBA clients, preparing them for their citizenship interview.
Redwood City Citizenship Workshop Volunteers
IIBA offers citizenship workshops throughout the Bay Area, helping legal permanent residents apply for and gain citizenship. Many of IIBA’s workshop volunteers are attorneys providing valuable pro bono hours.
IIBA Intern: Peter Skow
“By the end of the summer, I hope to learn more about IIBA’s fundraising efforts and how to craft a legal argument for a case,” says Peter. He connected with IIBA through the San Francisco Social Impact Internship Program at Dartmouth College, where he is an undergraduate student.
IIBA Client: Amelia Hernandez
“IIBA staff always kept me updated on the status of my case and made me feel secure,” says Amelia Hernandez. She appreciates that sense of security more than ever after her nightmarish journey to the U.S.
IIBA Staff: Diamante Rueda
Diamante is the Legal Outreach Coordinator at IIBA’s Redwood City office and educates the immigrant community on their constitutional rights. She also works on diverse immigration cases and coordinates the DACA program. Diamante chose IIBA because she is passionate about advocating for the immigrant community.
