Helen Yan

Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program | Cambridge, MA

Helen Yan is a Chinese-American activist and legal advocate raised in Massachusetts. She is the daughter of two hard working immigrant restaurant owners whose story has inspired her to care deeply for immigrant rights. She hopes to advance legal pathways and opportunities for immigrants through advocacy and education.

Helen is a rising junior at Harvard College concentrating in History with a focus on Immigration law and Asian American studies. At Harvard, Helen serves in leadership roles which align with her interests. Helen currently serves as president of The Harvard-Radcliffe Asian American Women’s Association and co-president of The Harvard Undergraduate Women in Law Association. These organizations strive to foster community and expand resource access to students at Harvard with marginalized gender identities.

Helen worked as an intern at the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program (HIRCP) last summer. HIRCP advocates for immigrant justice through clinical education, legal representation, litigation, and community outreach. Helen assisted with tasks related to asylum research, housing outreach, and social media outreach. She learned vital immigration advocacy skills which will help her in further serving needed communities.

This summer Helen will continue her impact with HIRCP. She will assist with legal needs of clients by compiling resources for clients seeking legal aid in different states and collaborate on projects with fellow interns. HIRCP works tirelessly to advance the rights of immigrants through exposing conditions of immigration detention centers and working alongside other political and community members. Helen hopes to collaborate with others and further the work she has begun.