DIEGO LOPEZ-RODARTE
High School: Dakota Ridge High School
Hometown: Lakewood, CO
Diego Lopez-Rodarte's path toward serving and empowering immigrant families emerged in response to his witnessing the broad challenges faced by individuals navigating the American immigration system. This experience was a turning point for Diego, leading him to delve into immigration policies and legalities. His efforts not only brought clarity to the challenges faced by many but also ignited a passion within him to assist others in similar situations. “The [resilience I witnessed] fueled my aspiration to assist immigrant families in navigating the complex system," he shares, reflecting on the experiences that propelled him to found Youth for Humane Borders, a nonprofit organization that shines a light on the legal rights of immigrants.
Under his leadership, Youth for Humane Borders has produced over 20 bilingual legal guides and more than 100 news articles, aiming to help immigrants navigate the intricacies of immigration policies and protect them against deportation. Additionally, Diego has creatively combined his passion for music and advocacy by organizing piano recitals to contribute to the funding for the travel expenses of pro bono immigration attorneys providing crucial support to vulnerable immigrant children at the border.
Diego's dedication extended to his summer internship at Knudson & Associates LLC, an immigration law firm, where he shadowed seasoned attorneys and contributed to their blog, gaining invaluable insights into immigration law. His bilingual skills further served his local immigrant community at the Littleton Immigrant Resource Center, where he leveraged his bilingual skills to empower immigrants by serving as an ESL tutor and helping people prepare for their US citizenship test.
Diego's awareness of the impacts of diversity, or the lack thereof, deepened through his involvement in his school's Student Voice & Diversity Club and his internship. The lack of diversity in public service and legal professions is a concern that Diego seeks to address. He realized that embracing a multitude of perspectives, especially from the Hispanic community, is key to bridging gaps and fostering a more compassionate and effective approach to public service and social justice. Diego envisions a future where the voices of the Latinx community are integral to shaping policies that affect their lives.
One of Diego's most ambitious goals is to ensure legal representation for immigrant children, inspired by distressing headlines, including “Three-Year-Old Immigrant Child Represents Himself in Court.” “If the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution asserts the right to an attorney, why are these rights stripped away from immigrant children?,” questions Diego. “This unequal access to legal representation for the undocumented exposes the significant flaws within our country,” he adds. His advocacy for amending the constitutional right to an attorney for immigrants is a step toward rectifying these disparities. Through Youth for Humane Borders, he champions this cause, aiming to initiate a national conversation and action toward equitable legal representation.
Diego's roots in Tequila, Jalisco, México, and his parents' harrowing journey to the United States are a constant source of inspiration. The challenges they faced and overcame motivate him to strive for a society where compassion and understanding bridge divides. His work tutoring immigrants in English is not just about language; it's about offering the support and opportunities his parents didn't have, reflecting a deep-seated desire to foster a community that uplifts and includes everyone.
Diego's achievements are numerous, from being a distinguished scholar recognized by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and being selected as a 2024 Coca-Cola Scholar to his engagement in extracurriculars that underscore his commitment to his community and heritage. His academic excellence is matched by his leadership through his nonprofit and his role as a tutor, showcasing a well-rounded profile of a young leader dedicated to effecting positive change.
Diego is poised to further his education and advocacy as he attends the University of Southern California. He plans to pursue a pre-law track while minoring in Chicanx/Latinx studies, preparing himself to continue his fight for immigrant rights and social justice.
