Thoughts from Working for 44

It’s a moment I will never forget: entering the White House gates for the first time as a staff member.  Two years later, I still wonder how I ended up there.  For now, let’s call it a happy medium between a little bit of luck and hard work, but either way you put it, it was an experience of a lifetime I’m still struggling to figure how I’m going to top.

I had the honor of working on both drug and immigration policy during my time as an appointee at the White House and Department of Homeland Security.  From writing speeches for national address, to developing strategic plans and recommendations to raise awareness of our domestic and international programs and policies, to traveling far and wide to welcome our newest citizens, this has been an opportunity like no other.  To work on, and have a front-row seat, to our nation’s most pressing issues is something I will never take for granted. The work must continue.  Our immigration system?  Still broken. Our drug policies?  Still out of touch, still negatively affect minority communities, and still reflect drug use as a moral failing.

Absent congressional action and met with staunch opposition, we saw President Obama attempt to implement actions to help our Nation fix these persistent problems.  Seeing his drive and resilience, despite all of the forces against him, motivates me to continue the work and advance the progressive agenda. In my role outside of the administration, although still in development (stay tuned!), I look forward to mobilizing various stakeholder groups around the pressing social issues of today and bridging the gap between awareness and practical action at all levels of government.  The road ahead will be tough, but if working for this administration has taught me anything, it is that if you have the slightest inkling to facilitate change, you should act on that impulse.

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