PANELISTS
Ana Tello-Duran left Mexico in 2011 as an unaccompanied minor with her older sister in search of a better life. After gaining asylum, Ana obtained a bachelor’s degree of Social Work (BSW) from the Virginia Commonwealth University. Shortly after, Ana was accepted into the advanced standing MSW program and received the Child Welfare Stipend. Ana obtained a master’s degree in social work (MSW) in 2018. Ana has worked in the field for more than 4 years, serving a variety of different communities in Virginia. Ana has relocated to Illinois, where she is now working as a Family Support Specialist with the U.S. Committee of Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI).
Gerson Navidad left El Salvador in 2016 as an unaccompanied minor seeking asylum to reunite with his mother in the United States. He completed high school in three years, learned English, and won several awards. Gerson participated in a Congressional briefing in Washington D.C., addressing the mistreatment of immigrants at the Southern Border. He is currently an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley, passionate about data analysis and history.
Alejandra Valdez left El Salvador in 2014 as an unaccompanied child with her brother to seek safety in the United States. Alejandra was connected to Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), which helped her gain asylum. Alejandra graduated salutatorian from her high school in Washington D.C., and is now at George Washington University where she is studying to become an immigration lawyer.
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