Aimee Benitez Aguirre 

CHCI Public Policy Fellow

Presented by Amazon  

Hometown: Los Angeles, California 

School: University of California-Los Angeles 

Degree: B.A in Public Policy & B.A in International Development Studies 

Placement: Office of Rep. Nanette Barragan

Aimee Benitez Aguirre (she/her) was born in Guatemala City and proudly raised by her immigrant parents in Los Angeles’ Westlake-MacArthur Park community—a vibrant area shaped by the Central American diaspora and its lasting contributions to the city’s socioeconomic fabric. Aimee carries with her the lessons her upbringing taught her: humility, compassion, and self-advocacy are propellers of change. Grounded in this experience, she brings a deep understanding of how policy—or its absence—can shape the life trajectories of entire communities. 

Aimee earned dual B.A. degrees in Public Policy and International Development from UCLA. During college, she gained experience across the nonprofit sector and academic research, all while amplifying marginalized voices. As a Policy Fellow at the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute, she conducted research to support data-informed governance aimed at improving the quality of life for communities of color, notably co-authoring a brief on Latino underrepresentation in California’s judiciary. Her advocacy was further shaped by work with immigrant rights coalitions and deepened at UCLA, where she co-chaired Improving Dreams, Equity, Access, and Success—an advocacy network for undocumented students. She was also selected as a community-engaged researcher with the UCLA Labor Center, partnering with garment workers to examine labor conditions in L.A.’s garment industry. Collectively, these experiences taught her that effective policy requires multidisciplinary strategies grounded in research, mobilization, and community. 

Beyond campus, Aimee represented L.A. City District One—the city’s most immigrant-rich area—on the L.A. City Youth Council. Most recently, she worked at Public Counsel, supporting litigation and direct services for transition-age youth affected by the foster care and juvenile justice systems. In recognition of her leadership and scholarship, Aimee was named a 2023 PPIA Law Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and a 2024 Future History Maker by Hispanas Organized for Political Equity. 

Now, as a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Aimee looks forward to sharpening her ability to uplift underrepresented communities through public service in Washington, D.C. As an aspiring lawyer, she views this fellowship as both a learning opportunity and a responsibility: to grow her capacity to lead with purpose, to remain accountable to the communities that shaped her, and to contribute to more equitable policy outcomes.