Protecting Undocumented Students

Arabi Hassan (she/her) is a first-generation Bangladeshi immigrant and the Co-Founder of First Gen Empower (FGE). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UC Berkeley and a JD from Harvard Law School. She has 8+ years of experience advocating for immigrant communities through policy advocacy, direct legal representation, college and career advising, and mentorship. She also advises organizations such as Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration and Immigrants Rising. As a formerly undocumented immigrant, Arabi’s passion for advocating for undocumented students is shaped by her own experiences navigating the American education system while undocumented. 

Avdeep, co-founder and Executive Director of First Gen Empower (FGE), is driven by a deep commitment to equitable education and career access. As a first-generation college graduate and immigrant, Avdeep understands firsthand the transformative power of opportunity. At FGE, she works on supporting undocumented students' college and career success, leveraging her background in social impact. In her previous roles, she has worked on investing in social enterprises at Kiva, building a social enterprise at PSI in Nairobi, consulting for non-profits and philanthropists at the Bridgespan group, and managing the rent relief initiative at Esusu. Avdeep holds a degree in Political Economy and a certificate in Entrepreneurship and Technology from UC Berkeley