Where are they Wednesdays:
Stories of UNCW Spanish Alumni
Keegan Huynh, Spanish BA, Class of 2017
Why did you study Spanish?
I decided to study Spanish after volunteering at the Centro Latino legal clinic and witnessing how Spanish fluency can be harnessed to change lives. Two years later I volunteered at an immigrant detention facility in Texas where I helped mothers and children apply for asylum. Afterwards I decided to pursue a career in immigration law to help immigrants establish themselves in the U.S. and fight the injustices of the system.
How do you use Spanish now?
After graduation I spent three years working as a paralegal at a local firm (Helen Tarokic Law PLLC). I primarily spent my time assisting undocumented immigrants that were victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and U-Visa qualifying crimes. I also used my Spanish every day to work on cases involving business immigration, marriage, and adjustment of status. During the 2020 primary I was inspired by Elizabeth Warren’s plans to reform the immigration system and worked as a field organizer in the Piedmont. Currently I am taking time off to explore some national parks before jumping back into the fight.
