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OUR INTERNS

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Alexandra Gonzalez-Amaro

Policy and Research Intern

Alexandra (Ale) is an incoming junior at the University of Notre Dame majoring in Political Science, with additional studies in Latino Studies and Civil and Human Rights. She is deeply passionate about public policy, migration,  and community-based work that empowers immigrant communities. Ale has experience in citizenship education classes, where she supported individuals on their path to naturalization. 

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Emiliano Lopez

Policy and Research Intern

Emiliano is pursuing a BA in Government with a minor in Business and Public Policy at the University of Texas at Austin, with plans to attend law school after graduation. Having lived in the borderland for 21 years, he has developed a deep understanding of the complex issues facing the migrant community through years of research and analysis.

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Mario Varo

Policy and Research Intern

Mario is a first-generation college graduate raised by two immigrants from Oaxaca, Mexico, in southern California’s Inland Empire. He recently earned his BA in Political Science from UC Berkeley, where his research focused on immigration enforcement, deportation, and detention. Mario also holds an AA in Political Science from Chaffey College.

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Samantha Vazquez

Policy and Research Intern

Samantha is a rising sophomore at the University of Notre Dame studying Political Science, Spanish, and Latino Studies. Originally from the South Chicago suburbs, she is passionate about advancing social justice and Latino advocacy. Her passions lie in law and public policy, where she aims to serve and uplift underrepresented communities.

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OLIVIA CHIANG

Policy and Research Intern

Olivia is pursuing a BA in International Relations at Stanford University. She is highly dedicated to advancing migrant rights. She volunteers at Bay Area immigration firms to provide legal aid to low-income African and Latin American migrants seeking asylum, visas, and temporary protected status. 

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ASTRID LIDEN

Policy and Research Intern

Astrid is a Rhodes Scholar with a Master's in Refugee & Forced Migration Studies from Oxford and a BA in Political Science and Latin American & Caribbean Studies from Columbia University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Policy at Oxford, focusing on Venezuelan displacement and the broader Latin American movement. Astrid is passionate about research and advocacy for forcibly displaced populations and the role of the Church in addressing their needs.

Our Past Interns

Astrid Liden

Oxford University

Policy and Research Intern, 2025

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Luke Monnich

Georgetown University

Policy Intern, 2024-2025

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Sofia Gomez

University of Notre Dame

Research & Policy Intern, 2023

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Zach Goodwin

NOHA Erasmus program

Humanitarian Intern, 2023

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Valeria Zendejas

California State University

Social Work Intern, Summer 2023

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Lía López

Professional Fellows Program

Visiting Fellow, Fall 2022

 

Jack  Griffiths

University of Notre Dame

Policy Intern, Summer 2022

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Jasmine Peña Ramirez

University of Notre Dame

Policy Intern, Summer 2022

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Lauryn Pfrommer-Pease

Colorado College

Summer Research Institute 2022

 

Linden Heffelfinger

Colorado College

Summer Research Institute 2022

 

Italia Quintana 

Colorado College

Summer Research Institute 2022

 

Cristal Arguello

University of Connecticut

Administrative Intern, Spring 2022

 

Kathleen Meyer

University of Notre Dame

Policy Intern, Summer 2021

 

Alondra Aca

The City University of New York

NSF Research Assistant, Summer 2019

 

Daniel Avitia

University of Texas El Paso

NSF Research Assistant, Summer 2019

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Lizbeth Castillo Monterrosa

Cal State University Long Beach

NSF Research Assistant, Summer 2019

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Kathryn Garcia

Northeastern University

NSF Research Assistant, Summer 2019

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Jesús De La Torre 

University of San Francisco 

Root Causes Intern 2022-2023

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Rebecca Melendez
New Mexico State University

NSF Research Assistant, Summer 2019

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Gabriela Vidal

University of Texas El Paso

Social Work Intern 2018-2019

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Zanetta Thomas

University of Texas El Paso

Social Work Intern 2018-2019

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Jenn Nicole Ampey

Stanford University

Research & Policy Intern, Summer 2018

 

Nina Dewi Horstmann

Stanford University

Research & Policy Intern, Summer 2018

 

Brian Elizalde

Brown University

NSF Research Assistant, Summer 2018

 

Estrella Loredo

University of Texas El Paso

NSF Research Assistant, Summer 2018

 

Sara French

University of Dayton

Research/Advocacy Intern, Summer 2018

 

Christian Carrara

Columbus School of Law - Catholic University of America 

Pro Bono Collaboration, 2017 

 

Laura de la Torre

Columbus School of Law - Catholic University of America 

Pro Bono Collaboration, 2017 

 

Elizabeth Herdmann

University of Dayton

Summer Research Institute 2017 

 

Calla Couch

University of Dayton

Summer Research Institute 2017

The HOPE Experience

“My work with HOPE brought me back to reality, back to a place where I could connect with the issues we so commonly ignore. You can read all you want about people’s experiences at the border, but it is an entirely other level of understanding being able to talk to them face to face, give them a hot meal and a clean set of clothes, and most of all, appreciate the immense amount of love, gratitude, and patience that persists.”

- Lauryn Pfrommer-Pease, Summer Research Institute 2022

—  Name, Title

For more information about internship opportunities and applications click here.

Not Currently Accepting Applications

Contact:

Success! Message received.

info@hopeborder.org

(915) 872-8400 ext.200

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media@hopeborder.org

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