Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Herrera
Hi Diana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Diana Herrera, and I am a proud Mexican national who, through unwavering faith in God, tireless hard work, and the boundless support of my family, fulfilled my lifelong dream of becoming an attorney.
I was born in the beautiful city of Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States with my parents when I was just two years old.
Growing up, I can’t pinpoint the exact moment I decided to become a lawyer, but the dream was always in my heart. For Career Day in pre-K, I proudly dressed as an attorney, even though no one in my family had ever pursued a career in law—and I had never even met an attorney. Somehow, I knew this path was meant for me.
From an early age, I worked tirelessly toward this goal. However, in high school, I came face-to-face with the reality of my immigration status. My dream began to feel out of reach, but everything changed with the enactment of DACA. It gave me a renewed sense of hope and the opportunity to keep moving forward.
In 2016, I graduated high school with an associate’s degree and earned a merit scholarship to attend the University of Houston-Downtown, where my tuition and fees were fully covered. While at UHD, I became a passionate advocate for DACA, leading community and campus efforts to protect recipients facing immense uncertainty. Despite these challenges, I stayed committed to my dream, and in 2018, I graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
After college, I worked as a legal assistant, helping immigrant families navigate their cases. This experience not only strengthened my passion for the legal field but also reaffirmed my calling to serve others. With limited financial resources but an abundance of faith, I took a leap and applied to law school. By God’s grace, I was accepted.
Attending law school as a DACA recipient felt like an impossible dream achieved, but it came with significant hurdles. I had no access to federal financial aid and struggled to make ends meet. Thankfully, my husband worked tirelessly to support me, giving me the stability and encouragement I needed to press on. During this time, I also experienced a life changing moment, I obtained legal residency in the United States. The weight of uncertainty lifted from my shoulders, and my family and I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and gratitude.
Through faith, perseverance, and the sacrifices of those who believed in me, I graduated law school with honors. It was a moment that felt like the culmination of every prayer, every struggle, and every moment of hope.
Today, I am proud to say I am a licensed attorney. In just a few weeks, I will step fully into my calling: helping immigrant families overcome the same obstacles I once faced. My journey has come full circle, and I am humbled and grateful to use my story to bring hope and guidance, to others who might familiarize themselves.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
– my immigration status
– low income
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m mostly know for advocating for DACA and immigration reform in the US. I have been interviewed by several networks throughout the years regarding these matters.
I am proud to have achieved a career where I can help the right individuals seek the relief they deserve.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is being able to say “I wouldn’t have done anything differently”.
