Maxima Guerrero
Puente Human Rights Movement
Phoenix, AZ USA
"I found people that were in my same situation but were organizing and that gave me hope. I saw myself in other people, where I thought I’d been alone this whole time."
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Maxima's work combines: Politics, Government, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
People will often tell undocumented immigrants that we should just go apply for citizenship rather than keep fighting for our rights. They just don't understand. I don't enjoy living a life where I have to face all these blockers—not being able to drive, go to college, or get a job. No one who struggles does so out of enjoyment. There's something within the system that we're navigating that pushes the need for advocacy.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Associate's Degree
Administration of Justice
Phoenix College
Bachelor's Degree
Organizational Leadership
Arizona State University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I was born in Mexico, moved to the U.S. when I was five years old, and was raised in Phoenix, Arizona.
2.
Even though I was a good student, I was blocked from going to college because I was undocumented.
3.
In 2009, I joined a group of undocumented students organizing at Arizona State University for the DREAM Act.
4.
From then on, I started getting more involved in social justice campaigns, specifically in regards to migrant rights, Dreamers, and the school to prison pipeline.
5.
After receiving my DACA status, I enrolled at Arizona State University to study organizational leadership.
6.
I was arrested in 2020 at a Black Lives Matter protest—the initial hearing found no probable cause but I was held by ICE because of my DACA status.
7.
I was charged with a misdemeanor and left with an ankle monitor—through my own advocacy and support from the community and elected officials, I secured my release and no criminal charges were pursued.
8.
I continue to fight for human rights through community organizing and civic engagement.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
Why don't you just apply for citizenship? Why are you fighting it? Just go do it.
How I responded:
People will often tell undocumented immigrants that we should just go apply for citizenship rather than keep fighting for our rights. They just don't understand. I don't enjoy living a life where I have to face all these blockers—not being able to drive, go to college, or get a job. No one who struggles does so out of enjoyment. There's something within the system that we're navigating that pushes the need for advocacy.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I came to the U.S. from Mexico when I was five years old. After high school, I was blocked from going to college or getting a job because I was undocumented. I'm now actively engaged in social justice campaigns to advocate for people like me.
I was arrested at a Black Lives Matter protest. While the initial hearing found no probable cause for my arrest, I was held for ICE processing because of my DACA status. It was a first-hand look at intentional criminalization by the justice system.