Leidy Perez ’15 Reflects on Her White House Experience and Next Steps

Leidy Perez JD ‘15 recently completed her tenure as Special Assistant to the President for Immigration under the Biden-Harris Administration. During her time at the White House, Leidy worked on immigration law and policy while also playing a key role in advancing meaningful policy initiatives.

Reflecting on her role, Leidy emphasized the challenge of crafting immigration policies that are both effective and humane, balancing legal frameworks, political realities, and core national values. “My time in the White House reinforced the importance of principled governance—ensuring that policy decisions align with the broader ideals of what the U.S. stands for,” she shared.

Since leaving government in 2023, Leidy has returned to her work as Policy and Communications Director at an immigration nonprofit, where she continues advocating for immigrant communities.

Leidy credits FIU Law for preparing her for a career in public service, highlighting the mentorship she received from Professors Klion, Rosenthal, and Anglade, who believed in her potential from the start. She recommends that students connect with FIU Law’s faculty and alumni to help grow their professional networks: “We are always eager to support and guide students pursuing careers in government and policy.”