Milagros Yanes

Born in Cuba at 25 weeks, weighing only 1 pound, 7 ounces, Milagros Yanes has lived with visual and hearing impairments her entire life. When she arrived in the United States at 14, Milagros embraced a new language and culture despite her disability, proving to everyone that she would let nothing stand in the way of achieving her American dream.

After a difficult time in high school, where she had to acclimate to a new life with her disability, her hard work and the support of family and professors enabled Milagros to graduate with a 3.4 GPA. She then enrolled at Miami Dade College, where she graduated with highest honors and earned an Associate of Arts in Pre-Law and an Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies.

FIU welcomed Milagros in the Fall of 2017, when she began to pursue her bachelor’s in political science. Among her many achievements, Milagros received several leadership awards, was an active member of multiple honor societies and held internships in the office of former U.S. Rep. Donna Shalala, the Consulate General of Spain, and an immigration law firm.

Milagros is graduating Summa Cum Laude from FIU’s School of International & Public Affairs with a 4.0 GPA. She is also part of the FIU Honors College and the Disability Resource Center and will be recognized as an FIU Global Learning Medallion graduate.

Continuing to pursue her passion for immigration law, Milagros plans to help others achieve their American dream and fight for immigrant rights as a paralegal at a law firm. In the future, she plans to attend law school.

By Gabriela Aguirrechu
Media Relations Representative
Office of External Relations, Strategic Communications and Marketing

Nominated by Lukas Danner