Blanca Torres

CHCI Public Policy Fellow Presented by ConocoPhillips
Hometown: Houston, Texas
School: Smith College
Degree: B.A. in Sociology
Placement: U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability

Blanca (she/her) was born in Sabá Colon, Honduras, and grew up in Houston, Texas. At four years old, she immigrated to the United States with her mother in search of a better life. She was undocumented until age 15 when she was granted DACA and had experienced first-hand the injustices against immigrants in the U.S. This experience fostered a passion for social justice and advocacy.

As a proud first-generation college graduate, Blanca received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Smith College. Throughout her undergraduate and professional career she co-founded the Undocumented Student Organization, a club set to amplify the voices and needs of undocumented students and make Smith an equitable campus for all regardless of immigration status. She also served as an immigration intern for Children at Risk, a non-profit that works towards improving the quality of life for children through public policy, research, and advocacy, and interned for the Public Policy and Advocacy Team at the Tahirih Justice Center, a national non-profit organization that serves immigrant survivors fleeing gender-based violence. The immigration space has allowed her to aid her community and do the work necessary to improve the experiences of immigrants in the States.

As a Public Policy Fellow, she hopes to learn more about the public policy process and advocate for her community. In the future, she hopes to attend law school to further dedicate her life to aiding underserved communities.