Cruz is a second-year law student at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. He graduated from DePaul University and worked as a paralegal for several years before attending law school. Cruz is committed to using the law to advance racial and social justice. He has shown this commitment by dedicating his legal skills and advocacy to pro bono immigration services at the border, advocating for incarcerated LGBTQ Muslims, and protecting protestors’ constitutional and civil rights at protests. He plans to dedicate his legal career to advocating for marginalized communities. This summer, Cruz will work at the American Bar Association’s South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project where he will advocate for unaccompanied migrant children in detention centers. The HLSF scholarship will provide Cruz with the necessary financial support to continue pursuing a career in public interest. HLSF proudly welcomes this future Latino lawyer to its network and the overall community of Latino lawyers.