DAISY TORRES

Hometown: Jackson Heights, New York
School: Princeton University
Major: African American Studies
Placement: The Office of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Daisy Torres was born and raised in one of the most diverse places in the world, Jackson Heights, New York. Her parents immigrated to the United States from Cuenca, Ecuador to support their families. A first-generation college student, Daisy’s main goal is to engage in social justice discourse and participate in advocacy work on campus.

At Princeton University, she is pursuing a degree in African American Studies, with a focus on Race and Public Policy, as well as minors in Latin American Studies and Journalism. Daisy is the Co-Director of Princeton Students for Immigrant Empowerment, where she helps undocumented students navigate the college application process. During her sophomore year, she was awarded the Liman Fellowship for Public Interest Law and used it to intern at a law center supporting immigrant and refugee youth. Noticing the lack of attention given to incarcerated people amid the pandemic, Daisy joined the ACLU’s National Prison Project and provided campaign and litigation support for cases related to prisoner’s rights. Daisy is passionate about becoming a public defender and ensuring the civil rights of Black and Brown communities in New York City.

As a CHCI Intern, Daisy hopes to explore how government advocacy can help design a fair justice system for low-income immigrants. An education activist, she aims to create a safer legal system for immigrant youth by dismantling policing tactics in NYC schools. Daisy believes that CHCI will provide her with a strong introduction to the world of public service and immigration policymaking.