From a young age, San Joaquin College of Law student, Karen Lopez-Peña, always wanted to be a lawyer. After immigrating from Mexico at four years old and enduring abuse along the way, she found the strength to pursue her dream and is determined to become a voice for the voiceless.
Learn more about Karen, including her long journey to law school, how she navigates being a full-time mom, employee and student, and why she’s so passionate about helping her community.
Tell Us About Your Journey Through Law School.
I’ve always known I wanted to become an attorney. It’s cliche to say but looking back, I really do believe that becoming an attorney was part of my DNA. Ever since I was a child, it was my understanding that attorneys help people who have problems. An attorney will speak up for those they represent and help them solve their problems. I confirmed this ambition to be an attorney through my own experience helping my mom go through our immigration process at an early age and it took years.
I am in law school today because I was brought to the United States when I was four years old as an undocumented immigrant. Being an undocumented immigrant is a fundamental reason for me being at SJCL. For 14 years, I lived in the United States as an undocumented immigrant with no legal rights in this country. Knowing my future was limited, I did the best that I could with what I had at the time. However, I was fortunate to be able to go through the immigration process and obtain the legal status I have today. Yet, there are many people in my community in the same situation now that I was in who need help with their immigration process. When I understood the consequences that came with being an undocumented immigrant, all I wanted was to obtain legal status and once I did, I knew I wanted to help my community achieve the same.
Being at SJCL has been a challenge but I always knew it would be the best law school for me. Fresno is where I have lived my whole life. My family is here, my friends are here, my work is here, and SJCL is local. Growing up in Fresno and helping my mom clean houses, I met a lot of attorneys that were SJCL alumni. Each one was always very encouraging and seeing what they achieved with their law degree only confirmed why I wanted to come to SCJL. There have been times where I doubted or questioned if I really belonged at SCJL and honestly, I do. I am blessed with an amazing support system at home and here at SCJL, which has made my law school journey manageable and memorable so far.
Was the Transition to the U.S. Difficult for You?
I thought the transition was difficult as I was going through it, but it wasn't. Because my fundamental years were spent in Mexico with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, I thought home was with the family I left behind. My mom came to the U.S. to work, but I was so young that I don’t recall her absence. My mom brought me here because this is where she wanted me to grow up and for her, this was home. In my early years, home to me was in Mexico. I don't recall exact memories about my transition, but I do recall feelings. I remember feeling lonely, sad, isolated but most of all frustrated because I didn’t understand why I couldn’t visit my grandparents. I didn’t understand that if I returned to visit them, I wouldn't be able to come back. The last time my family in Mexico saw me was when I was four years old and I couldn’t make a trip back until I was 19. By this time, my grandfather had passed away and home just wasn’t the same for me. My grandfather was gone, the family I had longed for and missed was also not the same. We all had aged and grown. My likes and customs were slightly different compared to theirs. Things looked and tasted different. After longing to be in Mexico for so many years, once I was there I realized home was now in the United States. So looking back, because I was brought here so young the transition itself was not difficult for me. It was lonely and scary at times, but I learned the language fast and adjusted to living here easily.
Is Your Immigration Experience a Driving Factor for Why You Want to Become a Lawyer?
Most definitely. One of the things that I rarely talk about is how I was smuggled through the border inside a gas tank in the middle of July and how the man who helped my mom and I immigrate wasn't a good person. We endured domestic, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse from him and because of our legal status or lack thereof, we thought we couldn't leave that abusive environment because he had promised to immigrate us. We were prisoners in our own home and aware of our situation, so we didn't dare leave and had to endure whatever abuse we were suffering. Had I known that the abuse we went through could have helped us obtain legal status faster than waiting on his promise, I would've sought the help. But we withstood it because we wanted to get to the end of that promise and even though it took a long time, we were willing to do that. Obviously, that's not something I think anyone should have to go through, especially a child, which is why I want to help my community. I want my community to know there is help and there is a way out. You don't have to stay in an abusive environment just because you believe or were told that it’s the only way to get the legal status every undocumented immigrant seeks.
When Did You Realize You Had an Interest in Learning the Law?
Due to everything I lived through with the abuse and all, I thought it was unfair. I figured there had to be some legal benefit or something that could be done in our favor for what my mom and I had been through. Going through the abuse I did, my suffering had to lead to something and that something was ensuring I secured my legal residency, even if it was without legal representation. During this time, my mom only had me and she relied on me 100%. I was her translator, her secretary, her messenger and anything she needed, I helped her figure it out through trial and error. I was a child calling USCIS, translating and filling out immigration forms. Ultimately, we were able to find a self-help clinic but overall, all communications and documents for our immigration process went through me. From the inception of our immigration process, I knew I was meant to be in the legal field.
Our immigration experience led me to a political science major in college. As a requirement for political science, I had to intern at a law office, so I chose a law firm here in Fresno primarily as a cold call taker and I got to hear a lot of people's stories during the intake process. Eventually, I was hired on part time to take calls for the Spanish-speaking community. I would hear a lot of their personal injury and medical malpractice stories. That experience opened my eyes to how much help the community truly needs, not just with immigration issues. That exposure really pushed my interest even more to continue my path into law school and learn the law. Although immigration is a big topic here in California, it's not the only area of law that interests me.
How Does it Make You Feel Knowing You're a Role Model to Fellow Immigrants and Women of Color?
I don’t consider myself a role model, but I do see myself as somebody who is proof that perseverance, courage, and hard work pays off. I’m not afraid to work hard and strive towards my goals even after enduring many hardships in my life. I’m taking full advantage of the opportunity I was given from being brought to this country and eventually becoming a U.S. citizen. There are people who wish they could immigrate here but unfortunately, those who lack legal status don’t get the opportunities I was fortunate to get and I don't want to waste that privilege. There was a lot of pain, suffering and abuse I endured to secure my legal status and after surviving it all to get here, I don't want to throw that away. I’m not saying that non-immigrants waste their life away, but I as an immigrant, a woman, and a minority, am taking advantage of the opportunity I have here to do the best that I can as a citizen of this country. For me, that means having a legal education and one day serving my community as an attorney.
What Was Your First Year of Law School Experience Like?
It was very challenging because I still worked full time and I have a family that wants my time and attention, all while I go to evening classes and somehow squeeze in homework and studying. I really focus on quality time over quantity because I have to dedicate myself to the things that I have to get done with the limited time I have. I work 8 to 5, Monday through Friday as a billable paralegal, so I can’t squeeze in any homework or studying in between because my time is accounted for. Thankfully, I’m blessed to have an amazing support system because without them, I don't think I could do it.
Overall, San Joaquin College of Law has been great for me and my peers and classmates have been very supportive. The upperclassmen have also been very supportive and I really like that about SJCL because we're not in competition with each other. Everyone is rooting for everybody and if I need help, all I need to do is ask. The comradery between my peers and the availability of the professors has been very helpful as well. That's really encouraging for me to keep going because even though it’s hard, I do have a support system at home and it definitely extends here on campus.
How Important is a Support System While You're in Law School?
It's very important and it can either make or break you. If you have that support system, you can come to school and focus on what you need to get done. At home, I don't have to worry about who's taking care of my kids or if they've eaten or done their homework. During finals, I take time off from work to study and my attorneys are very supportive. They've even offered to provide any guidance or take time to help me study if needed, so it's very important to have a solid support system and I'm very fortunate to have it.
As a Full-Time Mom, Paralegal and Law School Student, What Advice Do You Have for Maintaining a Healthy School, Work and Life Balance?
Just take things a day at a time and things will get done. They have to get done, right? We have deadlines, we have information we have to learn, and we must prove that we've learned it. If you get overwhelmed, take a minute to breathe, set small achievable goals by taking a task at a time, prioritize and organize your time. Self care is also very important and everyone copes with stress differently, so you have to learn and do what helps you. For some, taking small breaks from school and spending time with family provides that balance. Personally, my family and I discussed my free time before I started law school and it was understood that my time is very limited. Because of this, my family time is also very limited between work, class and homework and that's okay with me. I might sneak in one of my kids' games or a recital here or there, but for the most part, I'm studying and doing homework on the weekends because that's the only time I have. It also helps to incorporate your family when you study. I’ve found that reading case law will really put a kid to sleep fast. I also learned that my kids found it very satisfying when quizzing me because they were able to correct me when I was wrong. Sometimes my daughter would give me a suggestion, a key phrase or word that she thought would make it easier for me to remember what I couldn’t memorize and that would work. At the end of the day, I was studying, teaching, learning and spending time with my family. It's a win-win if you ask me.
What Advice Do You Have for Having Those Important Conversations With Your Loved Ones Before You Start Law School?
You must have those tough conversations and everyone you know who will be affected by your decision to go to law school needs to be in that room when you do. Hearing it firsthand from you and getting that reassurance that they understand the severity of this decision is important because it's something you must pay for. It’s a loan you have to pull out or it's money that you have to take away from your home or your family or your kids to put into this investment, so it's a sacrifice for everybody. I assembled my immediate family and explained the importance of it, the ramifications of it, how it would affect us as a family, and the things that both them and I would have to give up. But we also discussed the benefits that would come from it as well. I had the same conversation with our support system, which included my work, my immediate boss and my extended family who helped my husband and I with our children. It was very important that everyone who confirmed they would be committed to this journey understood the importance, so I needed to get that assurance that it wasn't just an agreement, it was a commitment.
What’s Been the Most Challenging Aspect of Law School So Far?
The most challenging thing for me has been sticking to the plan. Sometimes I wish I could spend my weekend away with my kids or go watch a movie or just do something else other than schoolwork. I'm on such a routine to get things done and it gets tiring, which makes it difficult to stay on the plan. But I know I can't deviate from it because I don't have any extra time to make up for it if I do.
What’s the Best Advice for Dealing With Those Guilty Feelings When it Comes to Spending Time With Your Family?
Law school will be over in a few years. Being away from the family is only temporary and the reason why you’re away from them is because you’re working towards a better life and more opportunities. That’s what I tell myself and my family. I also look back at where I started and where I am today. A year ago, I was thinking about going to law school and thinking about taking the LSAT. Now, I’ve finished my first year. So back then, I wished I could be where I am now. My family understands and although it can be overwhelming, we go back to that family meeting, reaffirm our commitment and look at how fast the first year has gone by.
What Would You Tell Future Law Students or Anyone Thinking About a Law Degree?
If it's something you’ve always thought about, don’t wait. There's never a perfect time for anything in life, especially law school. You just have to commit and do it. If you’ve really thought about it and it's been in the back of your mind, just go for it. A law degree will open the doors to many professional possibilities. If you’re worried about the money, look at your law degree as good debt because it’s an investment in yourself and your future.
What Ways Are You Helping Your Community Now and What Do You See Yourself Doing in the Future?
Prior to working in the legal field, I didn't know that there were non-profit organizations that help undocumented immigrants through free legal services. I knew self help clinics existed, but those still require some sort of payment. I learned about this free immigration service after I was able to help my attorney on an immigration case at work, specifically for children. Currently, I’m helping my attorney with cases from KIND, which stands for Kids in Need of Defense. I’m working on my second case now that involves two minors from El Salvador who were part of the caravans that traveled to Mexico and were left at the border by their dad. It’s unclear if their dad thought they would have a better chance to immigrate if he abandoned them, but I just can't believe their story. They were left to fend for themselves in a new country with no money. They were all over the United States moving from one office to another and it took months for someone related to them to find them. At least these two minors had each other and were old enough to communicate with someone if needed. It was very sad to know they're not the only children in situations like those. I have children of my own and I can't imagine leaving my kids anywhere with a stranger, let alone in a different country with an unknown language. So I’m truly invested in helping kids like them stay in this country to have a better life.
Given my personal immigration experience and having been an undocumented immigrant, KIND is an organization I would be willing to support and provide services for when I become an attorney. Immigration will always be an area of law that hits very close to my heart. Even if my practice area in the future doesn’t involve immigration, I do see myself volunteering to do pro bono work for cases like this.
How Does It Make You Feel Knowing That Your Negative Immigration Experience Can Have a Positive Impact for Others?
Everything I lived through makes my experience worthwhile because in the end, it was not in vain. In a way, I’m thankful for the life that I’ve lived because it could’ve been worse. Even with all the hardships I went through, I didn't have the privilege of allowing myself to suffer from depression or being a carefree kid. I had to cook, clean and be a caretaker for my siblings while my mom worked. At the same time, I had to be a responsible student because that’s what was expected of me, even though I lacked the resources and parental support to accomplish it. I strongly believe that had it been someone else in my place, they would have felt like giving up. I had my moments but in the end, I pushed through because I knew I didn't want to be a statistic. I didn't want to give anyone the satisfaction of saying I was one more immigrant that fell into drugs, alcohol or gangs or anything of the like because at the end of the day, it didn't benefit me. My hardships and immigration process built the woman I am today and helped me grow academically and professionally. If my story can inspire or serve as a testimony that there is light at the end of the tunnel, I’m open to sharing it. I’m realistic, logical, and optimistic, so I’ve chosen to take my life experience as a lesson rather than becoming a victim of it. When I see something I know is unfair or is hurting somebody, I'll speak up because nobody spoke up for me. I want to be a voice for the voiceless so I can have a positive impact on other immigrants.
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