Cristian Gonzalez Perez

You recently were named Pro Bono Student of Distinction by the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. What did that recognition mean to you?

I was surprised to have been named the winner of the award, and it really came out of the blue. This recognition to me means that every action we take and everything we do matters and that it all really is a team effort. I would not have been able to volunteer and help as many people as I did if were it not for the opportunities that the immigration clinic and Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada offer students. The work of the clinic and LACSN is highly valuable and shows that they really are pillars in helping the most vulnerable communities in Las Vegas.

You have political aspirations, yes?

YES!!! I do have political aspirations, but I will have to put them on the back burner until my immigration status changes. I'm a DACAmented student, so for the moment I don't meet the qualifications for running for office. If the opportunity to stay in the US is closed off, and I were to return to Mexico, I do aspire to one day run for President in Mexico and to tackle the violence, drug, and economic problems that currently plague the country.

What do you wish you knew more about?

I wish I knew more what life freely without restrictions is like. As an immigrant you learn at an early age that many opportunities that are available to others might not be available to you because of a lack of a legal document. I want to know what it’s like being able to travel to another country without worrying about not being able to return home or to apply to jobs without first checking to see if citizenship is a requirement.

What can you not wait to do once the pandemic is behind us?

I can't wait to do some Karaoke again like in the before times. I really do miss jamming out to English, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean songs with my friends. Singing really helps to relieve stress!