Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Principi.
Hi Morgan, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My training and my heart led me to my role as Director of Legal Services at Pathways to Citizenship, a nonprofit organization that provides legal and educational services for immigrants and refugees in San Diego. I attended law school at California Western School of Law here in San Diego. Initially, I wasn’t sure which area of law I wanted to practice but knew I wanted to impact underserved populations. I took an immigration law class during my second year at California Western and was shocked by how confusing U.S. immigration law is and how rapidly policies change. It was hard to imagine immigrants trying to navigate the system without guidance. I was moved by my professor’s empathy and passion for immigrants in San Diego and decided to do a clinical legal internship at Casa Cornelia, a local non-profit immigration law center. After passing the California Bar in 2008, I went into private practice in a different legal field but continued to volunteer at Casa Cornelia. In early 2020, the Legal Director position became available at Pathways to Citizenship. I saw this as an opportunity to provide a trusted legal resource for low-income immigrants and refugees in San Diego. As Director of Legal Services at Pathways, I’m able to mobilize a team of DOJ-accredited representatives and volunteer attorneys to represent San Diego immigrants and refugees as they navigate our confusing and expensive immigration system.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The biggest challenge today as an immigration attorney is navigating the heated debate surrounding U.S. immigration law and border policy. It is a very polarizing topic which tends to stifle productive conversation, progress, and reform. This is an issue that affects everyone living in the United States, regardless of background and immigration status. The health and vitality of our country has always been intertwined with immigration. Creating a space for an open and honest exchange is paramount to finding a path forward.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Two recent events accelerated the pace of our legal immigration work at Pathways to Citizenship. One was the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021, and the second is the Russia/Ukraine war that has been going on for over a year. These events led to an even greater influx of refugees and immigrants in San Diego. At Pathways, our doors are open to these vulnerable populations seeking answers, safety, and hope. We were one of the first nonprofits in our area to provide legal services and English classes for these clients without any guarantee of state or federal funding. Our donors, volunteers, and partners make it possible for our small nonprofit to respond quickly to the refugees and immigrants who come to San Diego fleeing violence and horror. Pathways strives to treat every client and student with dignity, and we thoroughly assess each individual’s unique legal situation with compassion and honesty.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
My ultimate goal as an immigration attorney is to expand the conversation around immigration in San Diego. I am privileged to work with each and every one of my clients. But I hope that my work at Pathways, by connecting our immigrant clients and students from around the world with our smart, talented, compassionate San Diego community, advocates for larger immigration reform and understanding.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pathwayssd.org
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/MPrincipi17
