Ana Lopez

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be able to intern at EXPO. Without the extra income,
I would not have been able to stay in Madison for the summer. These 10 weeks went flying. I
loved my time with EXPO. It is a non-profit organization and EXPO stands for Ex-incarcerated
People Organizing. I helped do research and wrote three one pagers to present them at the
Capital for Action day. We talked about the big three EXPO wants to see a difference on. Which
are Unlock the vote, Locked up on the outside, and Increase access in safe, dignified, and
supporting housing. We talked to different representatives and made our voices heard. Working
really opened my eyes because I did not know what ex-incarcerated people went through after
being released. The criminal justice system is broken and it is truly surprising the struggles to
re-enter society. The people were amazing and I will truly miss them. I hope one day we can
make a difference to bring justice or at least to be able to provide shelters or jobs to people who
are released with nothing to their names. EXPO offered me an extended position to intern, but I
declined. I am more interested in immigration law rather than policy changing or criminal law. I
am glad this only reinforced my desire to stick with immigration and find an internship that
satisfies me. Again, thank you for your support! Here is a picture of me at Action Day!