Jacklyn Garcia

I grew up in New York, and my friends always joked that I was born to be an immigration attorney—long before I realized it myself. In high school, my diverse group of friends, affectionately called the United Nations by my parents, hit an unexpected roadblock. Some could apply for driver’s licenses and financial aid, while others faced frustrating legal barriers.

When talk of President Obama’s plans for Dreamers gained momentum, I knew my calling. I pursued Sociology and Spanish at Quinnipiac University, focusing on immigration issues and women’s rights. My passion led me to work at a refugee resettlement agency, where I witnessed firsthand the struggles many immigrants face.

After graduating in 2013, I moved to Austin to serve as an AmeriCorps member at Casa Marianella, a shelter for immigrants and asylum seekers. There, I truly connected with Austin’s immigrant community and its dedicated advocates. In 2016, I joined Lincoln-Goldfinch Law as a legal assistant, gaining hands-on experience volunteering at detention centers and legal aid clinics.

Determined to deepen my impact, I returned to New York in 2017 to attend the City University of New York School of Law. During law school, I organized training and volunteer trips to family detention centers in Pennsylvania and Texas, helping asylum seekers navigate the legal system. After graduating in 2020, I made Austin my permanent home with my husband and dog.

Now, as an Associate Attorney at Houston Texas Immigration Lawyers, I focus on deportation defense and humanitarian Visa cases, continuing my lifelong commitment to immigrant rights.