Claudia Joanna Velasquez

Equal Justice Works Crime Victim Advocacy Program Fellow

Joanna joins the NMILC as an Equal Justice Works Fellow for Victim Crime Advocacy, providing direct representation to immigrant victims of crime.

Joanna was born and raised in Santa Fe and is the proud daughter of Mexican and Salvadoran parents. She obtained an AA in Legal Studies and an AAS in Paralegal Studies from the Santa Fe Community College, followed by a BA in Criminal Justice Studies from Highlands University. She then obtained a Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law, where she was a Professional Articles Editor for the New Mexico Law Review, and the President of the Immigration Law Student Association. While in law school, Joanna was also part of the Community Lawyering Clinic and was the recipient of the Immigration Advocacy Award for her passion and commitment to serving the immigrant community.