Andrea Flores is the Vice President of Immigration Policy and Campaigns at FWD.us, an advocacy organization which focuses on immigration reform and criminal justice reform. Flores previously served as Director of Border Management on the National Security Council, counseling the Biden administration on matters related to immigration and border policy. She also spearheaded the national immigration advocacy efforts of the ACLU and served as a Regional Policy Director for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. In the Obama Administration, Flores held positions at both the White House and the Department of Homeland Security, where she took part in the inception and execution of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This fall, she is a resident fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics. Flores sat down with the HPR for a conversation on her extensive background in immigration policy and the current state of immigration in the United States.
HPR: What inspired your career in immigration policy? I know you grew up in New Mexico, so how did growing up in a border state affect your path within immigration policy?
Andrea Flores: It had a tangible impact. Growing up in a Mexican-American family in a border state like New Mexico, I had a strong connection to Mexico and northern Mexico, especially in border communities. I spent my childhood visiting Ciudad Juarez to see family. However, post-9/11, the border became a major national political issue. Before I attended Harvard, I witnessed the national immigration movement organizing for broader reform, with the border being a focal point. I saw how the border transformed from a place of connection to a heavily surveilled and policed area. I had personal encounters with Border Patrol agents questioning my citizenship.
When I got to Harvard, fellow students talked about immigration and the border in ways that concerned me, with some even suggesting the use of lethal force on immigrants. This disconnect between perception and reality motivated me to become an expert on immigration and border politics. I delved into the history of immigration and citizenship, recognizing that our immigration laws have often perpetuated inequality. I wanted to work in policy because I believed that limiting citizenship based on racial preferences harms our democracy. My interest in immigration policy started at Harvard, and I entered the field during a pivotal time in the Obama administration.
HPR: You mentioned that you were an undergrad here, and I know you were the first Latina student body president, which is amazing. Now that you’re back as a resident fellow, what prompted your return, and what changes do you see happening at the college? Additionally, what do you hope or envision for your role as a fellow this semester?
AF: I returned at a point in my career where I had been a political staffer for most of it, which meant I couldn’t openly express my thoughts. My experiences in immigration policy over the years inspired me to use my voice more actively. I realized that if advocates for a more equitable immigration system don’t speak up, we won’t make progress. I felt a sense of obligation, drawing from the history of civil rights movements, where speaking out in different spaces was crucial for change. I wanted to engage students on the current immigration challenges and serve as a resource I wished I had when I was at Harvard. I’ve been pleased to see positive changes at the Institute of Politics, which now appears more inclusive, diverse, and welcoming. Students’ interest in discussing immigration was inspiring, and it motivated me to return.
HPR: You played an essential role in the passing of the Deferred Action for Civil Arrivals law, or DACA. DACA is an immigration policy that grants temporary protection from deportation and work permits to eligible undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. Could you share some key insights from your experience working on that issue?
AF: DACA happened because undocumented youth shared their stories and demanded to be heard by political leaders. I was at the Department of Homeland Security when I saw this movement gaining momentum. Witnessing minds change from skepticism to support for DACA was inspiring. It reminded me of the potential for policy and social justice work.
The impact of DACA, which provided security to many, changed lives dramatically. It’s why I’m in public service, and it’s work I emulated in the Biden White House, where we brought back 13,000 people from Mexico, changing lives for the better. Government should make people’s lives better, and that’s what DACA represented: a successful policy that improved lives.
HPR: You mentioned the Biden and Trump administrations. What are the current challenges and priorities in immigration?
AF: Coming out of the Trump administration, immigration became a major domestic policy issue. Trump’s approach was unprecedented, as he sought to restrict immigration across the board. He dismantled the bipartisan support for various aspects of immigration policy and disrupted the coalition that had previously existed. He targeted not only DACA but also Temporary Protected Status recipients, foreign students, and employment-based visa categories. He even used asylum as a focus to justify his policies, which made it challenging to address immigration comprehensively.
The Biden administration faced the legacy of Trump’s policies, which had a significant influence on the direction of immigration policy in the early years of the Biden presidency. There was a disproportionate focus on the border, which didn’t align with my principles and led to some difficult decisions. The border should not be the sole focus, as there are other important issues like DACA, TPS, and more.
In terms of priorities, my main focus remains the well-being and civil rights of the undocumented population. However, we also need to address the challenges of new arrivals, such as Afghans and Ukrainians, by using the tools at our disposal until Congress enacts new legislation. The last immigration reform occurred in 1990, and we need to continue building political and popular support for meaningful change. Despite the challenges, it’s essential to keep advocating for a more equitable immigration system, as demonstrated by the DACA movement’s success.
HPR: On the issue of bussing, I think a lot of students aren’t really educated on that issue either. The fact that even some Democrats like Arizona’s Governor Katie Hobbs and New York Mayor Eric Adams, have started busing asylum seekers to other places is a great concern for a lot of us. Can you explain why this is happening and provide more information about busing and its consequences?
AF: Well, I think it’s dangerous to our democracy when people are used as political pawns to make policy statements. Texas’s Governor Greg Abbott is intentionally sending people to cities to force them to respond in a certain way. These buses don’t provide full information to the passengers, no legal advice, and they end up in unknown destinations, even outside the Vice President’s residence. It’s a divisive tactic used to create distrust among certain populations. We should condemn such tactics.
However, border communities, like where I grew up, face challenges dealing with new populations and they need support, whether it’s helping immigrants get to the airport, providing housing, or various other services. The politics of moving people against their will is wrong, but there’s a policy challenge in welcoming and supporting newcomers. Western democracies are taking in more migration due to increased displacement. I’ve been advocating for the federal government to play a greater role in coordinating arrivals, creating a cohesive effort for this challenge.
HPR: You have a background as an attorney and an immigration policy advocate. How do these two roles intersect in your work, and what unique perspective do you bring?
AF: Well, I went to law school after working in the Obama administration because I wanted to thoroughly understand the laws I was trying to change. I wanted to show that I could be taken seriously as a policy expert. My legal training helps me consider legal risks when crafting policies. Being a lawyer also helps me engage with the legal challenges in immigration policy.
HPR: Can you share a memorable achievement or experience from your career that significantly impacted your perspective?
AF: Working on the 2016 Hillary Clinton presidential campaign was a significant experience. The outcome of the Trump election was traumatic and made me question my career choice. It forced me to consider whether it’s more protective to work in a different field. Witnessing the government’s separation of children from their parents underscored the importance of immigration policy work and the need to take it seriously.
HPR: Drawing from your experience in political campaigns and government, what advice would you offer young people interested in policy, advocacy, and law?
AF: Be open to working on a variety of issues, as each has its own unique challenges and stakeholders. Don’t assume that the most prestigious job on paper is the best fit for you; sometimes, smaller organizations or campaigns offer more impact. And for those from underrepresented communities, be prepared for the challenges but know that you can navigate and overcome them with resilience and determination.
