Erika Pinheiro
Activist & Attorney | Empowering Marginalized Communities
About
Erika Pinheiro is a human rights attorney and activist dedicated to empowering marginalized communities. As co-founder of Al Otro Lado, a cross-border legal services organization, she has advocated for the rights of migrants and refugees, helping thousands access asylum and social services.
Pinheiro's TEDx talks have reached millions, shedding light on the systemic injustices facing the most vulnerable populations. Her keynotes provide audiences with practical frameworks for advancing social and economic equity through grassroots activism and policy reform.
Talks1
What's really happening at the US-Mexico border -- and how we can do better
At the US-Mexico border, policies of prolonged detention and family separation have made seeking asylum in the United States difficult and dangerous. In this raw and heartfelt talk, immigration attorney Erika Pinheiro offers a glimpse into her daily work on both sides of the border and shares some of the stories behind the statistics -- including her own story of being detained and separated from her son. It's a clear-eyed call to remember the humanity that's impacted by policy -- and a warning: "History shows us that the first population to be vilified and stripped of their rights is rarely the last," she says.
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