Edward Rosario Arriaga Oasis’ First Gen Paralegal
Edward is a senior and first-generation college student at the University of California, Berkeley pursuing a simultaneous degree in Data Science and Chicanx Latinx Studies with an emphasis on Inequalities in Society. Coming from a low income, immigrant family within the San Joaquin Valley, he aims to advocate and serve the immigrant and undocumented community through advocacy for policy reform through research, technology, and law. By understanding new emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, biometric and automated surveillance systems, and global immigration patterns we can better protect immigrant populations, especially minority groups such as LGBTQ+ immigrants, from hyper-surveillance, data exploitations, and deportations to create better and more holistic immigration reform for our communities.
Since 2019, Oasis has proudly hosted first generation paralegal interns, including undergraduate students or recent college graduates, and DACAmented students (undocumented young people who came to the U.S. as children, granted temporary protection from deportation and work authorization under the DACA program). Partnering with first generation interns is something very special to us because many on our staff, including our Asylum Program Director, are first generation college graduates themselves! After experiencing the challenges that come with being the first in one's family to graduate from college, being able to provide opportunities where our interns can learn new skills and strengthen those they already have, is integral to our work. In this reciprocal process where our interns immensely support our work and clients, Oasis takes the time to support our interns to advance their careers, whether they choose to pursue immigration legal work or something else that closely aligns with their interests.
Edward was an Oasis paralegal intern during the Fall of 2025 and will be returning to Oasis again for Spring 2026. We are truly grateful to have Edward on our team!
If you are an undergraduate student interested in a paralegal internship, please email a resumé and cover letter to paralegalintern@oasislegalservices.org. We partner with schools to offer course credit to undergraduate students interning with us.