Despite the obstacles, Arce rose through the ranks of the financial world, eventually becoming a Vice President at Goldman Sachs. She later left Wall Street to focus on advocacy and writing.
She co-founded the Ascend Educational Fund , which provides scholarships to immigrant students. 18 eighteen julissa
Born in Mexico, Arce moved to Texas at age 11. Her status as an undocumented immigrant created immense pressure during her late teens. Despite the obstacles, Arce rose through the ranks
💡 Arce's story highlights how the "traditional" path to adulthood (turning 18, heading to college, starting a career) is often fraught with extra layers of difficulty for undocumented youth. Born in Mexico, Arce moved to Texas at age 11
She is the author of My American Dream , Someone Like Me , and You Sound Like a White Girl .
Because she was ineligible for financial aid, she paid for college using money earned from her family’s funnel cake stand.
Julissa Arce is a Mexican-American author, speaker, and advocate for immigration rights. Her journey from an undocumented teenager to a high-flying Wall Street executive has made her a powerful voice for the immigrant experience in America. Early Life and Legal Struggles