Spring 2022 Congressional Interns
VICTORIA N. ESPARZA
Current Position/Organization
CHCI-Walmart Intern
Hometown: New Haven, Connecticut
School: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Major: Political Science and Spanish
Placement: The Office of Rep. Mondaire Jones
Victoria Esparza was born and raised in Tecalitlan, Jalisco. She immigrated to the United States at the age of eleven. As a first-generation immigrant woman, Victoria understands the obstacles individuals like herself endure because of their identity and how important it is to pursue opportunities to grow as individuals and give back to her community who supported her in achieving her goals. At her university, Victoria served as an Undocu/DACA Mentor for two years where she assisted undocumented students with navigating and accessing resources.
Victoria also served as a Senator in the Illinois Student Government. As a Senator, she secured $24,500 in funding for DACA renewal applications for U of I students by creating a program to collaborate with the Immigration Law Clinic at the University of Illinois College of Law to distribute the funds for DACA renewal applications.
Victoria is in the last semester of her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she’s majoring in Political Science and Spanish. She is planning to attend law school and become an immigration attorney.
As a CHCI Intern, Victoria hopes to strengthen her knowledge of the legislative process and gain experience from professionals at Capitol Hill before applying to law school.
