Karla was the Program Assistant for Immigration and Refugee Policy. In her work, Karla tracked key legislation on congressional appropriations and funding, collaborated with partner organizations, and uplifted the values of FCNL through congressional visits and lobbying. She believes in the importance of maintaining relationships with constituents, and advocates for an immigration system where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Karla graduated from the University of New Mexico with a B.A. in both political science and international studies with a concentration in global governance and political institutions in Latin America. While at the University of New Mexico she co-founded the Annual Educators Summit, where over 75 educators learn about a multitude of ways to support undocumented students.
She also co-founded New Mexico Dream Team, the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the state. Additionally, she lobbied the New Mexico legislature on early childhood and minimum wage bills through the Center for Civic Policy as their Policy and Advocacy Fellow. Prior to joining FCNL, she worked at the Institute for Policy Studies as the New Mexico Fellow.