Highlighting Funmi Akinnawonu for Women’s Month

1.) How has working for I-ARC, a women-led organization, inspired you?

Advocacy work requires assertiveness, which is a quality that is often discouraged in women. I find the assertive instinct that led to the creation of I-ARC, that drives its growth, and that I see so often embodied by my colleagues inspiring.

2.) What are some advantages and disadvantages to being a woman in your field?

The biggest advantage of being a woman doing immigration advocacy work in New York, is that the field includes many women in leadership roles across many different organizations. I still struggle to fight against an instinct to be pleasing that does not always service my work.

3.) What does women's history month mean to you?

It’s a great opportunity to be intentional about celebrating the contributions of women.

4.) What is something you’re currently working on?

I am currently drafting a comment on the “Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility.” Section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act allows the government to deny both entry into or adjustment of status within the United States if a person is likely to become a public charge. As a consequence, many immigrants who may qualify for some public benefits or who live in mixed-status household where some family members qualify for public benefits are too afraid to request or utilized those benefits. USCIS has opened up this subject to public comment through a notice of proposed rulemaking. The government is indicating that they will be drafting regulations concerning the public charge ground of inadmissibility and I-ARC is taking this opportunity to discuss the detrimental affect of the public charge ground of inadmissibility.