Aimee Benitez
AIMEE BENITEZ was born in Guatemala, where she lived for the first four years of her life, before migrating to the U.S. She is a sophomore at UCLA studying International Development Studies and Public Affairs with interests in immigration, environmental justice, education policy, and international diplomacy. As a first-generation student, she knows firsthand how important it is to advocate against systematic oppression. She has volunteered with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) and the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) to expand immigrant rights and create a more stable and equitable America in which the Latinx community has power. On campus, Aimee serves as administrative director for the AB540 Project, a student advocacy organization for undocumented immigrants, and is a staff member in the Undergraduate Students Association Council (USAC) Office of the External Vice President, where she engages the student body in local, state, and federal issues through grassroot organizing and educational opportunities. At the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Initiative, Aimee hopes to further connect her passions for grassroot organizing, data analysis and research. Her long term goals include working for the United Nations and becoming the first female President of Guatemala.