Being an indigenous Mexican-American immigrant from Medford, Oregon, Irving has always been passionate about human rights and migration. He graduated summa cum laude from Union College in Schenectady, NY where he majored in Political Science and Latin American & Caribbean Studies. During his time at Union, Irving studied in Brazil, Argentina, and Senegal. He also interned at the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants helping with refugee resettlement, and at the Society for International Development. 

After graduation, Irving served as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Malaysia, which solidified his decision to pursue a career in the foreign service. Upon returning to the U.S., he worked as a paralegal at the National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago providing legal assistance to detained and non-detained unaccompanied immigrant children from countries like Afghanistan, Guatemala, and Somalia seeking protection through asylum and other forms of relief. Most recently, Irving interned at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus assisting congressional members support legislation affecting latino and immigrant communities in the U.S. 

As a 2022 Rangel Fellow, Irving is excited to join the foreign service with an international development lens. He hopes to use his skills and passion to continue working with refugee and migrant communities through the Department of State. 

Irving is passionate about immersing himself in new cultures and interacting with people of different backgrounds. Irving’s languages include Spanish, French, Portuguese, and some Malay.

Summer Internship Experience

Supporting Diplomacy, Democracy, and Governance During Presidential Elections in Guatemala

This summer I worked at the US Embassy Guatemala City as a political/economic affair fellow. With threats to Guatemala’s democratic system, I assisted the embassy by tracking electoral news, meeting with civil society organizations and human rights activists, cooperating with European diplomatic missions in Guatemala, consulting with government officials, and drafting cables. I had the opportunity to participate as an elections observer for the first round of presidential elections during a very turbulent electoral environment. Other tasks included selecting projects for Gender Based Violence programming in Central America, participating in the Fulbright selection committee, and supporting the economic team in sanctioning actors involved in corruption schemes. My experience reinforced my passion for diplomacy, and it helped me better understand what my career as a diplomat will be like once I join the foreign service.