Biography

Ms. Cruz was born in El Salvador and immigrated to the United States when she was 12 years old. She is now an American citizen. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz and her law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law.

Her vast experience with immigration includes working with grass-roots organizations in the California Central Valley, conducting trainings for lay advocates and experienced attorneys throughout the United States, and consulting on complex immigration cases from around the country. In addition, Evelyn has taught immigration law for over five years and was a clinical teaching fellow at Yale University School of Law.

Ms. Cruz has also worked closely with members of national organizations in advocating for clarification and changes to U.S. immigration policy and served as a liaison between the Northern California District Citizenship and Immigration Services (Formerly INS) and community non-profit agencies. She has co-authored several immigration law manuals used by immigration practitioners and pro-se detainees at Immigration Detention Centers throughout the country. She has also written articles on immigration law, clinical education and therapeutic jurisprudence.