Migrants: From discriminated youth to defender of Latino rights in Nevada

Melissa moved back to Las Vegas at 12 after living in Presidio, Durango, her mother’s hometown. Although born in the United States, her family had returned to Mexico after her father’s death, and she forged much of her identity in Durango, where she excelled academically.

Her return to the U.S. was motivated by her mother’s hope that Melissa would “do something more” to make a difference—a phrase that has inspired much of her ongoing fight to defend Latino migrants.

A life dedicated to migrant advocacy

Melissa’s path was also shaped by the discrimination she faced. In an interview with Heraldo USA, she recounted how, upon arriving in Las Vegas, she encountered hateful attitudes toward the Latino community. “My mom had brought her car from Mexico, and as soon as they saw the Durango plates, people started commenting,” she said.

This experience left a strong mark on her, as her mother grew fearful of public places and worried about further discrimination. This is a reality that many Latinos still face, compounded by language barriers.

Instead of retreating, Melissa, proud of her heritage and driven by a deep sense of purpose, decided to improve conditions for immigrant communities. She studied law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and dedicated her career to defending Latino migrants, primarily through non-profit law firms.

She is currently the president-elect of the Nevada Latino Bar Association and has served as a lawyer at the Community Advocacy Office (CAO) since 2022. There, she focuses on representing individuals at risk of deportation due to their immigration status. She also gained experience at the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and as a student attorney at the UNLV Immigration Clinic, where she has upheld the dignity of all clients, regardless of their immigration status.

Organizing to empower the community

The Nevada Latino Bar Association was founded 2021 as a predominantly Latino attorneys and judges network. In 1995, an organizational effort began in Las Vegas that expanded to include professionals across Nevada. The association’s mission is to advocate for Latino interests, promote legal reforms, improve justice access, advance Latinos within the legal profession, and form alliances with other professional and community organizations to further these goals.

Melissa told Heraldo USA that one of the Bar’s current priorities is mentoring new Latino attorneys to help them achieve their goals, which is vital to strengthening the Latino community.

Through its efforts, the Nevada Latino Bar Association has become a vital organizing force, fostering unity and visibility for the Latino community. By bringing together proud Latino professionals, it seeks to open doors for future generations, building a more inclusive, supportive environment where being different is a strength, not an obstacle.

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