As the daughter of immigrants, Juliana Figueroa ’23 knows the importance of having someone who can speak your language. That’s why she wants to be a voice for Latinx immigrant communities. “I want to be an immigration lawyer and provide translation services,” says Figueroa, a law and society major and Spanish interpretation minor. “My time at John Jay has opened my eyes to the lack of translation aids in our daily lives. Latinx immigrants who do not speak English face constant challenges due to language barriers—especially in vital places like a courtroom, a doctor’s office, school, church, and the workplace,” shares the Queens, New York native. “I want to use my bilingual skills to be an advocate for my community.”
What made you want to come to John Jay College?
I knew John Jay was the best college for me because it promotes advocacy, racial equality, and justice in all its forms. John Jay’s Latinx student body also impacted my decision to come here. Being at a college as diverse as John Jay makes me feel like I belong. Having peers who share the same culture, similar features, and beliefs allows me to embrace my identity as a proud Latina instead of hiding who I am.
How has John Jay deepened your appreciation of your Latinx identity?
Without the ¡Adelante! program, I would not be the proud Latina I am today. The program introduced me to great people, like Professor Andreina Rosa, who pushed me to reach my full potential as a student. She taught me that I could help my community by speaking up and using my bilingual skills so I could translate.
To enhance those skills, I joined the Spanish Certificate program, where I met Professor Cristina Lozano-Argüelles, Ph.D., who guided me and helped improve my Spanish interpretation abilities. She encouraged me to apply for opportunities where I could work as a translator. Because of her, I’m now a legal translator at Lutheran Social Services of New York.
What are you most proud of in terms of your Latinx identity?
I’m proud of the culture, beliefs, and identity I hold being a Colombian-Puerto Rican woman. I connect with my culture through food and dancing. The women in my family all come together and cook empanadas from scratch. As we’re cooking, my aunts and mother share stories of when they were my age and about life back in Colombia.
How do you embrace your Latinx heritage during Latinx Heritage Month and throughout the year?
During Latinx Heritage Month I like to support small Latinx-owned businesses throughout the city and Queens. I also celebrate my identity daily, including at my job, where I work at a Latin fusion restaurant. I love that I can communicate with the Latinx community in the heart of the city.
What are your biggest hopes for the future of Latinx communities?
I’d like to see the community tear down stereotypes, improve its financial situation, mend the connection with government, and gain access to resources that can uplift our community. As a daughter of immigrants, I want the world to know that times are changing. Latinx citizens are here; they work hard to overcome the obstacles in their way, and they deserve to be seen and heard.
