Bio
Maribel Hern谩ndez Rivera is the National Director of Immigrant Community Strategies at the 糖心Vlog. She was previously the Director of Policy and Government Affairs for Border and Immigration at the ACLU, and before that, served as the organization's Deputy National Political Director and Equality Division Director. Maribel鈥檚 professional and lived experience has centered around advocating for immigrants' rights.
She previously served as District Director for Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez where she established and oversaw all day-to-day operations of two district offices, liaised with community and local government stakeholders, served as the offices鈥� in-house expert on immigration, and participated as a post-election observer on behalf of the House of Representatives. Prior to joining Rep. Ocasio-Cortez鈥檚 office, Maribel served as Executive Director of Legal Initiatives for the New York City Mayor鈥檚 Office of Immigrant Affairs where she designed, implemented, managed and coordinated the operation of ActionNYC, an approximately $9 million citywide initiative providing immigration legal services in New York City public schools, Health and Hospitals facilities, and community-based organizations. Maribel earlier served as Supervising Attorney at Immigrant Justice Corps, a staff attorney at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and a Litigation Associate at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP.
Maribel received her J.D. from New York University School of Law, her Masters in Public Affairs from Princeton鈥檚 School of Public and International Affairs and her A.B. from Harvard University. Upon law school graduation, Maribel served as law clerk to the Honorable Mary M. Schroeder in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She is a native Spanish speaker and is the ACLU's Spanish language spokesperson.
Press Coverage
Telemundo, January 2025
In the face of the Trump administration鈥檚 sweeping immigration-related measures, Maribel Hern谩ndez Rivera joins Noticias Telemundo Mediod铆a to urge all immigrant communities to know their constitutional rights and protections.
Al Jazeera鈥檚 鈥淭he Take鈥�, January 2025
President Trump is expected to launch a full attack on immigrant rights as he takes office for a second time. Maribel Hern谩ndez Rivera shares her own immigration story, exposing the uncertainty that millions in immigrant communities now face.
La Opini贸n, January 2025
If you want to know what Trump鈥檚 second term means for immigration policies, look to his first term. In La Opinion, Maribel Hern谩ndez Rivera reflects on previous actions taken by the first Trump administration, warns of escalation in his second term, and offers the best line of defense that immigrants can take against deportation attempts.
