Los Angeles- CARECEN-LA is proud to announce that Laura Urias, Esq., is joining our legal team as Co-Legal Director and as the first Salvadoran Legal Director in our organization’s history. Laura Urias brings over 18 years of immigration law experience, having served the Los Angeles community at United Farm Workers, the Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice, Immigrant Defenders Law Center, and through her own law firm. 

Laura will join Julie Mitchell as Co-Legal Director, leading the organization’s legal strategy and implementing our vision and mission while navigating the rapidly changing landscape of immigrant legal services and rights during this unprecedented time moment in our nation’s history. 

“We are incredibly proud to welcome a leader whose experience, vision, and deep commitment to our communities will help move CARECEN forward at a critical moment for immigrant rights. said Martha Arevalo, CARECEN-LA Executive Director “Laura’s leadership will help carry our mission forward as we expand our impact, and continue fighting for dignity and justice for all.” 

“We are thrilled to be joined by someone with so much passion, commitment, leadership, and expertise,” said Julie Mitchell, CARECEN-LA Co-Legal Director. “With Laura’s leadership, CARECEN-LA aims to expand its capacity for deportation defense to meet the growing demand for community representation.” 

“I am honored and proud to join an organization like CARECEN that has been a beacon of light for the Central American community for decades,” said Laura Urias, Co-Legal Director of CARECEN-LA. “As the immigration legal services landscape continues to face growing instability, now more than ever we must protect our communities, demand justice, and hold the government accountable. I am excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”