CRIS Staff Spotlight | Carolina Iporre

Carolina Iporre serves as a paralegal and the Legal Clinic Coordinator for CRIS Legal Services.

“I started at CRIS in August of 2024 as an immigration paralegal and Legal Clinic Coordinator. In my role, I help ensure all our legal clinics run smoothly and that our clients' matters are fully cared for. Knowing that we are helping—that the work we do is meaningful and makes a big impact in the community—is the most rewarding part of my job. Whether it’s helping someone secure a work authorization card so they can provide for their family, or assisting a client through citizenship so they can petition for their parents, knowing we played a part in their journey to self-sufficiency is very rewarding.

I am originally from Tarija, a beautiful city in the south of Bolivia. Because of my parents’ professions, we moved around a lot during my childhood. I ended up growing up between Rurrenabaque, a village in the Amazon jungle, and La Paz, a big city up in the snowy mountains. Moving between such drastically different realities—from scorching heat, humidity, and lush greenery to the high-plateau coldness and rugged mountains—helped me nurture my adaptability early on.

I graduated from law school in Bolivia in 2019. Before coming to CRIS, my most relevant professional experience was working at the American Chamber of Commerce of Bolivia as a Project Coordinator for AmCham Junior, a program that helped Bolivian entrepreneurs expand their businesses. I also worked as an English teacher for adults, teenagers, and children.

I am an immigrant myself and have lived in the U.S. for about four years. The ‘firsts’ of everything in a new country are always challenging. I remember being nervous about every single interaction when I first arrived, but I was fortunate to have my husband by my side to support me through the adjustment process. I often think about people who do not have that kind of help when they arrive, and how much more confusing and difficult it must be for them.

Working at an NGO and building a career focused on humanitarian work, program implementation, and serving multicultural populations has always been a dream of mine. CRIS provides essential help and support to immigrants who are navigating this new system alone. Being a part of an organization supporting people who are going through what I went through—and often much more—is amazing. I am very fortunate to be at CRIS, working alongside attorneys who support my growth and a team that always has my back.”