Voices Unheard: Advocating for the Children Left in Legal Limbo

Please join First Class, HIP, and SALSA for a lunch talk on Friday, March 29 with Pareen Mhatre, who will discuss her work advocating for a pathway to citizenship for children of long-term visa holders

Pareen Mhatre is an Indian-born immigration activist from Iowa City, Iowa, and a graduate of the University of Iowa with a degree in biomedical engineering and minor in business administration. She is on the board of directors for Improve The Dream, a youth-led, non-profit organization that supports and advocates for a pathway to citizenship for children of long-term visa holders. Through this organization, Pareen has testified in front of the House Judiciary Committee, and as a result, her story and activism have been featured in ABC News, Fox News, NPR, NBC News, Good Morning America, and more. Pareen was also cited in a recent DACA ruling by the Department of Homeland Security. She has written an op-ed for Teen Vogue about the lack of legal protections children of long-term visa holders have, and the need for reform. Pareen was awarded the Hancher-Finkbine Distinguished Student Leader Award in 2022, and was recognized as one of Teen Vogue’s 21 Under 21.