Staff Spotlight: Jason Corral

via HIRC blog

Jason Corral is the current staff attorney for the Harvard Representation Initiative after taking the position in January of 2017. Born in Costa Rica, and originally from the Los Angeles area, he now lives in Boston with his two children and wife. A graduate of Northeastern Law School, Jason has spent his career working in public advocacy. After working at Greater Boston Legal Services and Catholic Charities of Boston, Jason wanted to continue serving his community while joining a larger team. He ultimately came to Harvard and found a home at HRI. Throughout his professional career, he has always maintained his identity as a large part of his drive for what he does. He highlights his desire to serve his community and those he cares the most for. Having grown up near the border, Jason cherishes his multicultural identity and when asked about the role it plays in his work, he acknowledges, “the border is my community.”

At HRI, Jason has loved being a part of the initiative to provide support for the greater Harvard community in regards to all issues related to immigration. Initially a program catered to DACA students, it has broadened to help Harvard staff, relatives, and beyond as the services provided proved to be essential. Jason knows the importance of the work he does with HRI and emphasizes that his favorite thing about it is the fact that “everyone brings themselves to the table” and is ready to listen and help. He knows that the immigration process can be a very difficult and taxing one, and highlights his office’s desire to preserve the human aspect of the process at all costs, “In the end, all of our clients are human beings.”

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Desde enero del 2017, Jason Corral es el abogado del personal en la oficina de HRI. Nacido en Costa Rica y originalmente de Los Angeles, el vive ahora en Boston con sus dos niños y esposa. Se graduó de la escuela de leyes de Northeastern University y a dedicado toda su carrera en problemas de defensa publica. Después de haber trabajado en Greater Boston Legal Services y Catholic Charities of Boston, Jason quería continuar su servicio a sus comunidades y terminó encontrando su próxima posición en HRI. En toda su carrera, Jason a mantenido la importancia de su identidad en el trabajo que hace. El explica que, para él, es muy importante ayudarle a su comunidad y proveer servicios que son muy necesitados. El creció muy cerca a la frontera de México, y explica, “La frontera es mi comunidad.”

Al empezar su tiempo con HRI, el programa se enfocaba en la comunidad de estudiantes con el estatus DACA, y desde entonces, Jason ha trabajado con sus compañeros para proveer los servicios de inmigración a la comunidad más general de Harvard, como sus trabajadores y familiares . El ama el trabajo que hace con HRI e enfatiza que una de sus cosas favoritas de su trabajo es el hecho que todos son auténticos y están listos para escuchar y ayudar. El entiende que el proceso inmigratorio puede ser muy difícil y destaca la capacidad de HRI para proteger a sus clientes diciendo, “al fin del dia, todos nuestros clientes son seres humanos.”

This staff profile was written by HIRC intern Diego Flores. Diego is a first year at Harvard College.