Reflecting on International Women’s Month with Julina Guo
Julina Guo is a Senior Staff Attorney in the Immigration Law Clinic at The Justice Center at Albany Law School. Julina represents survivors of domestic violence and crimes, children, and other vulnerable individuals in obtaining humanitarian immigration status. Julina coordinated volunteers for the Detention Outreach Project when the government transferred over 300 asylum-seekers to the Albany County Jail. Julina also participates in advocacy on immigration issues, working closely with other stakeholders such as community-based organizations, law enforcement, and members of Congress. Prior to joining Albany Law School, Julina investigated and prosecuted claims of discrimination at the NYC Commission on Human Rights based on the NYC Human Rights Law, one of the broadest municipal anti-discrimination laws in the nation. Julina also represented survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence in obtaining humanitarian immigration status at Sanctuary for Families, where she was an Immigrant Justice Corps Fellow.
She earned a B.A. in Psychology and East Asian Languages & Cultures from Columbia University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
1.) What inspired you to enter your current field of work?
As a first-generation immigrant in NYC, I grew up with many friends whose journeys (or families’ journeys) were very different from mine. As a child, it was perplexing and fascinating at the same time. I came to know many other immigrants through volunteering to teach English and registering newly sworn-in citizens to vote. There is always a story behind every person. I benefited firsthand from the diversity of cultures and values around me, and I especially wanted to help amplify voices in low-income communities and communities of color.
2.) How has being a woman in your industry further empowered you to make changes?
My background has helped me to identify with and help immigrants in sensitive situations. For example, at Sanctuary for Families, I represented Mandarin-speaking women who were survivors of sex trafficking. These women were sometimes the same age as me but oftentimes much older. After building trust, we were able to use our clients’ stories to educate law enforcement (including ICE) on the lesser known forms of sex trafficking in NYC and throughout the United States. In direct services, cultural competency and client-centered counseling are key.
3.) What changes would you like to see moving forward?
I would like to see us get past “labeling” immigrants—and human beings generally. Is a domestic violence survivor who struggles to support her family more or less “deserving” of lawful status than a multimillionaire who invests in U.S. properties and jobs? This type of dialogue is not productive, and creates a false dichotomy of who is “worthy” and who is not. We should strive to be a more compassionate and humane society for all.
