We are thrilled to announce that Allegra Upton has joined Disability Law United’s Summer Intern Program! A Colorado native, graduate of CU Boulder, and second-year student at the University of San Francisco School of Law, Allegra will be working closely with Disability Law United’s Immigration Detention Accountability Program (IDAP) during her internship.
Allegra holds a lifelong passion for disability rights and her interest in immigration rights developed while at the University of Colorado, culminating in an English Honors Thesis titled, “The Othering of Muslim Women by Western & Eastern Societies.” It’s hardly surprising that Allegra found herself drawn to IDAP where she will be on the forefront of disability law, immigration law, and their intersection. “I was inspired to pursue these areas of law by both my personal background and a consistent dedication to helping others. Disability Law United offers the extraordinary opportunity to work on large scale impact and systemic change, which is exactly the type of work I envision for my legal career,” states Allegra. “I am also incredibly grateful to USF Law School for underwriting my internship experience with a Public Interest Law Foundation grant, which makes it possible to pursue such a deeply meaningful experience.”
Prior to her Disability Law United internship, Allegra contributed to several advocacy organizations related to her professional interests. Allegra’s previous work ranges from serving as a congressional intern for Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet where she was involved with immigration casework, to three years as writer and editor at The Borgen Project, a nonprofit advocating bipartisan legislation to combat global poverty.
IDAP Director Liz Jordan remarks, “We’re so excited to welcome Allegra to the IDAP team for the summer. She’s enthusiastic and has so many skills she’s developing as a law student that will be of great help to our project and clients. We are certain she’ll make important contributions to our timely and urgent work, especially around the COVID-19 pandemic in ICE detention.”
Outside of work and school, Allegra enjoys running and singing – sometimes simultaneously if the inspiration so strikes! She has raced in several marathons (including local favorite, the Colfax Marathon) and, as President of CU Women’s Chorus, she once performed in Carnegie Hall, NY. In addition to interning this summer with Disability Law United, Allegra is learning Spanish online, adding to her working proficiency in French.
Please join all of us at Disability Law United in saying, “Welcome, Allegra!”