ORLANDO, Fla. – Lorena Rivas needed all of 5 minutes, 50 seconds to emphasize why the popular Tulsa immigration attorney is rapidly becoming a household name in the field of immigration law.
The Fry & Elder partner and standout immigration attorney captivated and inspired an engaged audience this past Friday night at the 2019 American Heritage Awards in Orlando with her riveting speech titled “This is America,” to close out the gala.
Presented by the American Immigration Council, the American Heritage Awards featured stand-up comic Hari Kondabolu, 10-piece salsa band Dave Santiago & Latin Affair and 2019 honoree Martine Kalaw.
Amongst a star-studded lineup, Rivas more than held her own as the event’s final presenter.
She began her speech by outlining the origins of how America’s name derived from Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci. She went on to highlight how more and more explorers and immigrants made their way into America where they not only flourished but took the country to new heights along the way.
Rivas’ speech can be heard in its entirety here, but the last portion went as follows:
“And with expansion come opportunities – opportunities for more immigrants from faraway lands to come to this land and help build cities, factories and dreams. They see this magnificent lady with welcoming torch and inviting message. They see masterful machinery that can cut through distance like an eagle soaring through the sky. They see their children staking a flag in a piece of land to build the home and memories.
“This, this is America.
“Now, even though they still see the children, the memories are not the same. They see and hear their children crying and begging for their parent. They see their children in cages. They feel the frigidness of a cooler. They smell the fear of their fellow refugees of being returned to a war-torn country where dreams go to die. They see lists, fences and walls.
“This is America.
“But this doesn’t have to be America. This doesn’t have to be a never-ending cycle between the conqueror and conquered. This land was seen as a revolutionary idea. This land was seen as a land of opportunities – as a home of diverse people and ideas, as a place of endless frontiers and dreams. This land was seen as a home by both natives and foreigners, and there’s no reason why this revolution should stop.
“I see a land where the diversity and differences brought by our immigrants is embraced. I see the immigrants creating advances and technology in medicine that haven’t even been fathomed. I see families reuniting with their loved ones because they haven’t had to wait decades to lawfully migrate to America. I see refugees being given a warm meal and bed after their long harrowing journey. I see the children of our immigrants remaining with their parents and enjoying their first day of school. I see what the explorers saw when they first set their eyes on this land but better. I see dreams for our children. I see hope for our future.
“I see America.”
Powerful Speeches Nothing New for Popular Tulsa Immigration Attorney Lorena Rivas
As Rivas ended her gripping speech with the final words of “I see America,” the in-demand immigration attorney was showered with applause which culminated into a standing ovation to conclude the American Heritage Awards.
Rivas’ most recent speech employed symbolism and vivid imagery, but the popular Tulsa immigration attorney has proven time and time again that she is a versatile and highly-skilled orator.
Earlier this year, Rivas traveled to Southern California where she presented on the controversial Matter of A–B– with Kate Jastram, who serves as the Senior Staff Attorney and Gender Asylum Campaign Director with the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies.
Following the duo’s presentation at the 2019 American Immigration Lawyers Association Midwinter Conference, Jastrom had this to say about Fry & Elder’s acclaimed immigration attorney.
“It was a tremendous pleasure presenting at the AILA conference with Lorena,” Jastrom said. “She’s clearly extremely knowledgeable about asylum law, and she made an excellent contribution to our AILA practice advisory, showing attorneys the concrete steps they need to take to effectively represent their clients.
“Her presentation was polished and we got a lot of good feedback from the approximately 100 attorneys in attendance. I’m very glad to know there are attorneys like her helping asylum-seekers navigate this complex legal environment.”
Though Rivas has flourished on the national stage, she still has a deep-rooted allegiance to her Oklahoma roots.
Perhaps her most powerful speech came during a 2017 University Central Oklahoma Pre-Law Society meeting in which the dynamic immigration attorney gave her personal story about what led her to seek a career in immigration law.
“I’ve been very blessed to have been given many opportunities and multiple platforms to tell my story and to try and help those in need,” Rivas said. “This job can be very demanding and emotionally draining, but when you hear the positive feedback and get those positive outcomes, it only reinforces that you are doing something noble.”
Popular Tulsa Immigration Attorney Lorena Rivas has Far-Reaching Impact
Rivas stature as a leading immigration law attorney is not up for debate.
She has traveled to Washington D.C. multiple times to meet with state and national legislators to discuss and advocate for immigration law reform as a top national immigration law attorney.
Additionally, Rivas has garnered many honors and awards for her legal contributions and efforts in immigration law throughout the years.
She further established herself as a top national immigration law attorney when she was chosen as the 2018 Fern Holland Award Winner, an honor annually given to a lawyer who advocates for human rights or the empowerment of women.
Rivas also was honored as a 2018 Super Lawyers® Rising Star and was named to Leadership Tulsa Class 60 and to the Tulsa Business & Legal News’ 2016 Women of Distinction Awards.
Her immigration law services include:
- Asylum
- Business Immigration
- Citizenship/Naturalization
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
- Deportation/Removal Defense
- Family Immigration
- Fiancé Visa
- Humanitarian Relief
- Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity
- Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
- Waivers
Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with a popular Tulsa immigration attorney Lorena Rivas.
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