Respiratory Therapist Able To Help COVID-19 Patients After Licensing Barriers For Immigrants Removed
By: Flaviano Graciano / NMILC Communications Manager
Christian Farfan is an NMILC ally and member of our community partner organization, the New Mexico Dream Team. He began his career as a respiratory therapist on the COVID-19 frontline in Farmington, New Mexico. He was born in Mexico City and migrated with his family to Georgia when he was 15 years old. After graduating high school, Christian moved to New Mexico to pursue a license in respiratory therapy.
Christian obtained his degree in 2018 from Central New Mexico Community College, but was unable to practice because he lacked the Social Security Number needed for licensing. He was only able to practice after SB 137 passed in the 2020 New Mexico legislative session. Right away, he used his newly acquired license to help New Mexico in the fight against COVID-19.
“It was very tough to see people go through a disease like COVID-19. It made me see life in a different way,” Farfan said. “Just trying to make a difference in the life of my patients going through COVID-19 was what kept me going.”
This year, Christian joined NMILC and our community partners in advocating the passage of SB 219. Today, he helps patients suffering from COVID-19 while continuing his advocacy for the removal of licensing barriers in New Mexico.
“All careers are important, and we all deserve the same equality,” Farfan stated.
In 2021, NMILC has contacted more than 13 licensing boards to ensure that they updated their policies and trained staff members from WESST, a business incubator, on the impact of SB 137 and SB 219 on immigrant businesses.
Flaviano Graciano is the Communication Manager for the New Mexican Immigrant Law Center.
Posted February 3, 2022 by Flaviano Graciano, NMILC Communications Manager.
