Walking down Madden Hall at the Adrian Dominican campus, you may pass a door and hear the echoes of a woman speaking Spanish. The kind female voice assists a caller seeking help with their immigration case. The Office of Immigration Assistance may be small, but the ministry provides crucial legal assistance for individuals and families trying to gain lawful immigration status. 

“We provide pro-bono immigration legal assistance for immigrants in our community,” said Laura Negron-Terrones ‘93, Office Manager for the Office of Immigration Assistance. “Without this ministry, they would have to pay tens of thousands of dollars for legal support.” 

In addition to her studies, Laura’s education at Siena provided her the opportunity to work with the Community Action Agency in Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale counties under the guidance of now CEO Toby Berry. This experience fostered her commitment to service, a value that continues to shape her career. 

Laura began her journey to this important work at Siena Heights, graduating with two bachelor’s degrees, one in business administration and the other in Spanish. “I received a lot of support at Siena. The small class sizes and the ability to stay close to home were important to me,” said Laura. “I never felt out of place, and I met a lot of students from all over the world, which I loved.” 

With the support of her academic advisor, Laura secured an internship at Johnson Controls in Manchester. Following her graduation, she was hired to work in the International Sales Department. Over her eight years on the team, the company underwent several ownership changes but continued to grow. “It was an exciting time because as our division expanded, it led to growth in other areas of the company,” Laura shared. 

After leaving her previous position, she enjoyed her time as a mother and worked in real estate. In her current role at the Office of Immigration Assistance, where most of the clients are Spanish-speaking, she interprets during meetings and helps complete written documentation and forms. “Though our clients’ primary language is Spanish, some aren’t able to read or write,” said Laura. “It takes a lot of time, energy, effort, and work because our clients have to write declarations. I feel privileged and honored to be part of such a great ministry.” 

Today, Laura works alongside a dedicated team, including Director and Attorney Sister Attracta Kelly, Attorney Sarah Nash, and Paralegal Kyle Hibbard, all of whom are committed to supporting immigrants in need. 

“When you hear the stories of these individuals, of what it took for them to get here, you would just be in awe,” Laura reflects. “It’s incredible to see the lives of these individuals changed. We serve young women with children who fled horrible situations in their home country and now have asylum. They are safe, they are working and going to school. Their children are safe.”  

“They’re not coming here to try to receive some kind of government assistance. They want to be safe and they want to be productive and they want to contribute,” said Laura. “Many have dreams of starting their own business or getting an education. They don’t want anything handed to them.” 

Laura’s mother immigrated from Mexico as a child, while her father grew up in Puerto Rico and moved to America as a young man. Her husband received an amnesty immigration benefit during the Reagan Presidential Administration. “My mother received her GED but eventually took classes at Siena Heights when she was older,” said Laura. “My mom encouraged me to go to school. It was an important goal for my family.” 

“When my husband completed the immigration process, he attended classes at Schoolcraft College. We were married, and he worked in Plymouth, Michigan but we lived in Adrian,” recalls Laura. “He’d wake up at three or four o’clock in the morning to be on the road, go to work and work eight to 10 hours, and then go to class and come home. It was difficult but he was determined to get his degree.” 

Laura works diligently to help immigrants gain legal status, providing them with opportunities that would be impossible in their home countries. Opportunity is also the primary reason she encourages people to keep learning. “You go to college because it willl open opportunities for you. No one can take your degree away from you. Nobody can take your education away from you,” said Laura. “Everything that you learn, that’s yours. The more you know, the better person you will be in society, as a neighbor, and as a friend. That’s what I always say, just keep learning.”