I sat down with the 2025 graduating class of Cisneros Scholars to reflect on the experiences that shaped their time at GW. Cristiana Barno, from Chantilly, Virginia, majors in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies and currently studies abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Cristiana Barno discovered her passion for law in 2020. At the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, she began researching social justice issues and found herself drawn to law as a means of seeking justice. Immigration law, in particular, resonated with her on a personal level. As the daughter of an immigrant and having grown up in a community where many children shared similar experiences, she was constantly exposed to immigration issues.
Her interest in the field deepened when she volunteered with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). Although her role mostly involved interpretating, she found the work rewarding and realized that helping others gave her a profound sense of purpose. That is when Cristiana knew she wanted to be at the front lines, and litigation became her path forward.
In her sophomore year, she learned she had secured an internship at the GW Law Immigration Clinic.
The first month on the job was rough. Cristiana was the only undergraduate in the clinic, and she often felt out of place. Without a formal background in immigration law, she found the work challenging and struggled with imposter syndrome. However, with the encouragement of her colleagues, she began to settle in and build her confidence.
Looking back, Cristiana remembers the immense pride she felt helping a client stay in the United States and reuniting a family of five children with their parents. Nothing compares to witnessing the joy on the mother’s face! Another highlight was attending in-person hearings on behalf of her clients. She went from starting the internship with no experience to defending someone’s future in court. Yet, Cristiana quickly redirects her praise to her clients, calling them the true heroes – some of the kindest and strongest people she has ever met.
When she graduates at the end of this semester, Cristiana plans to take a gap year to focus on applying for law school, treating the application process a full-time job. She hopes to intern at another immigration law firm or possibly work abroad. Regardless of where she ends up, Cristiana remains committed to pursuing immigration law and making a lasting impact in the field.