The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) recently announced the recipients of its Law School Scholarship Program.
Among this year’s recipients is Janet Ibarra who is studying at Michigan State University College of Law.
A native of Bangor in southwest Michigan and graduate of Bangor High School where she was Hispanic Student Association president, Ibarra is one of seven siblings born to Mexican immigrants, who came to the U.S. in search of a better life.
Her parents have solely relied on farm work, specifically blueberries, to sustain their large family.
Working in the fields with her family inspired Ibarra at a young age to pursue a legal education to help bridge the gap in legal resources for communities like hers.
With the support of the College Assistance Migrant Program and the Social Science Scholars Program, she double majored in Social Relations & Policy and Political Science (pre-law) at MSU.
At MSU with the support of mentors, Ibarra founded Civil Rights for Immigrants @ MSU, an organization that strives to educate college students on the importance of state and local politics, and its impact on immigrants in the Greater Lansing area. She also conducted a research project focused on Undergraduate Latinx Perceptions of the Trump Presidency.
During law school, she has interned with the Office of Legal Counsel for the Governor and participated in the American Bar Association Judicial Clerkship Program.
She also studied for a year at Cambridge University in England.
Upon graduation, she hopes to practice immigration and labor and employment law.
Her ultimate career goal is to start her own law firm and provide subsidized immigration services; and in the future, she would also like to run for office.
Since its founding in 1968, MALDEF has awarded scholarships to law students committed to furthering its mission of promoting and protecting the civil rights of the Latino community in the United States.
“Anyone aware of current events understands the dire need for lawyers committed to defending the civil rights of the Latino community,” said Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF president and general counsel.
“MALDEF is proud to continue our work to foster the development of the next generation of civil rights lawyers.”
For years, MALDEF has awarded five to 15 deserving students scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 each. MALDEF’s Law School Scholarship application is open to any student enrolled at an accredited U.S. law school. This year, 10 recipients each received $5,000. The recipients are selected with the assistance of a national committee of leading attorneys.
The scholarship committee assesses applicants based on personal background and financial need; academic and extracurricular achievement; demonstrated commitment to serving the Latino community, shown through academic, extracurricular, or professional record of service; and future plans to advance the rights of Latinos.
All of the recipients have a passion for protecting the civil rights of Latinos. Several of the winners are the children of immigrants or immigrants themselves, including a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). All of the scholarship winners have spent time working for organizations that promote the rights of Latinos and other communities.
Applications for MALDEF’s 2024-2025 MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program are now available for download at www.maldef.org/resources/scholarship-resources. The deadline to apply is April 30.
Donations may be made to MALDEF’s Law School Scholarship Program online at www.maldef.org/donate.
Among this year’s recipients is Janet Ibarra who is studying at Michigan State University College of Law.
A native of Bangor in southwest Michigan and graduate of Bangor High School where she was Hispanic Student Association president, Ibarra is one of seven siblings born to Mexican immigrants, who came to the U.S. in search of a better life.
Her parents have solely relied on farm work, specifically blueberries, to sustain their large family.
Working in the fields with her family inspired Ibarra at a young age to pursue a legal education to help bridge the gap in legal resources for communities like hers.
With the support of the College Assistance Migrant Program and the Social Science Scholars Program, she double majored in Social Relations & Policy and Political Science (pre-law) at MSU.
At MSU with the support of mentors, Ibarra founded Civil Rights for Immigrants @ MSU, an organization that strives to educate college students on the importance of state and local politics, and its impact on immigrants in the Greater Lansing area. She also conducted a research project focused on Undergraduate Latinx Perceptions of the Trump Presidency.
During law school, she has interned with the Office of Legal Counsel for the Governor and participated in the American Bar Association Judicial Clerkship Program.
She also studied for a year at Cambridge University in England.
Upon graduation, she hopes to practice immigration and labor and employment law.
Her ultimate career goal is to start her own law firm and provide subsidized immigration services; and in the future, she would also like to run for office.
Since its founding in 1968, MALDEF has awarded scholarships to law students committed to furthering its mission of promoting and protecting the civil rights of the Latino community in the United States.
“Anyone aware of current events understands the dire need for lawyers committed to defending the civil rights of the Latino community,” said Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF president and general counsel.
“MALDEF is proud to continue our work to foster the development of the next generation of civil rights lawyers.”
For years, MALDEF has awarded five to 15 deserving students scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 each. MALDEF’s Law School Scholarship application is open to any student enrolled at an accredited U.S. law school. This year, 10 recipients each received $5,000. The recipients are selected with the assistance of a national committee of leading attorneys.
The scholarship committee assesses applicants based on personal background and financial need; academic and extracurricular achievement; demonstrated commitment to serving the Latino community, shown through academic, extracurricular, or professional record of service; and future plans to advance the rights of Latinos.
All of the recipients have a passion for protecting the civil rights of Latinos. Several of the winners are the children of immigrants or immigrants themselves, including a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). All of the scholarship winners have spent time working for organizations that promote the rights of Latinos and other communities.
Applications for MALDEF’s 2024-2025 MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program are now available for download at www.maldef.org/resources/scholarship-resources. The deadline to apply is April 30.
Donations may be made to MALDEF’s Law School Scholarship Program online at www.maldef.org/donate.
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