Immigrant Voices

The Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA) has launched a new campaign – called I’M IIBA – uplifting what we know to be the true character and positive contributions of immigrants in the Bay Area. This week we’re featuring Elisa, a volunteer interpreter at IIBA I’M Elisa I’m originally from Mexico City. One of the happiest…

The Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA) has launched a new campaign – called I’M IIBA – uplifting what we know to be the true character and positive contributions of immigrants in the Bay Area. This week we highlight the inspirational story of Valentina I’M VALENTINA One of my earliest memories is the Christmas morning I…

As a passionate photographer, Richard captures the beauty of Sonoma County in photos such as this one of Healdsburg. Photo courtesy of Richard Sarkar Cipriani. © Richard Sarkar Cipriani. IIBA client and permanent resident Richard has long considered himself a citizen of the world. Born in the Caribbean island country of Trinidad and Tobago, he grew…

The Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA) has launched a new campaign – called I’M IIBA – uplifting what we know to be the true character and positive contributions of immigrants in the Bay Area. This week we highlight the inspirational story of Hugo I’M HUGO I was born in Peru where I lived until I…

As the U.S. heads into the final lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, longtime IIBA client and permanent resident Claudia has been working diligently behind the scenes to make sure voters in Alameda County have everything they need to make their voices heard. As an elections technician at the Alameda County Registrar of Voters, Claudia…

Jacqueline was born in Mexico and came to the United States when she was eight years old. Today she is one of more than half a million people protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which gives her temporary permission to live and work in the country she’s known most of her…

For Isaac, growing up undocumented meant living in constant fear. With IIBA’s legal and financial support, Isaac has been able to maintain his DACA status without paying exorbitant fees, giving him peace of mind to pursue better opportunities for his family.

Taking a leap of faith, Cinthya got married and moved to the United States. With IIBA’s support, she became a permanent resident in 2003. Two decades later, Cinthya again turned to IIBA for legal help to obtain citizenship, in hopes of giving back to her adopted community in Redwood City.

After surviving a tragic accident, Leska left Ukraine and found home and community in the Bay Area. She worked with IIBA’s Redwood City team to achieve her dream of becoming a U.S. citizen. Now, Leska hopes to coach and inspire others with the invaluable lessons from her own immigration journey.

Before they met in 2015, Eric and Patricia each had complicated relationships with the U.S. immigration system. After falling in love and getting married, the couple would again have to navigate the complex system to prove their love to immigration officials.