Yajaira Arroyo

Yajaira Arroyo is a first-generation college student at UC Berkeley, pursuing a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture. As the eldest daughter of Mexican immigrants and a native of Oxnard, California, growing up in a mixed-legal status household has shaped her passion for public service, particularly in pathways to higher education and immigration reform.

During her time at UC Berkeley, Yajaira has worked as a college advisor at a continuation high school in East Oakland, helping graduating seniors and their families navigate the college, financial aid, and scholarship application processes. As an active member of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc., an organization dedicated to uplifting Latinas in higher education, she recognizes the importance of creating accessible pathways to higher education for underrepresented communities regardless of legal status.

Yajaira has also advocated for a wet-reckless policy in Ventura County as an intern at The Law Office of Vanessa Frank. Experiencing firsthand the effects of family separation due to immigration, she realizes the necessity of immigration reform. As a participant in the UC Berkeley Study Abroad program, she worked on a project collecting the untold stories of Venezuelan and Colombian immigrants in Spain and their context of reception. Most recently, Yajaira worked as a Tenant Organizer through the UC Berkeley Labor Summer program helping educate and enforce the recent Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Ordinance affecting Concord residents.

As a Matsui Center Washington Fellow, Yajaira hopes to continue advocating for underrepresented communities through access to higher education and immigration reform. She is thrilled to be interning at the UC Federal Governmental Relations office this Fall, where she will be advocating on behalf of UC students.