Marielena Hincapié

Marielena Hincapié served as the executive director of the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund until November 2022. Hincapié began her journey at NILC in 2000, where she played a vital role in shaping labor and employment law at the intersection of immigration issues. Under her leadership, the organization combined litigation, policy, and grassroots movement-building to drive transformative change.

A passionate advocate for equity and justice, Hincapié co-led the Immigrant Movement Visioning Process and was instrumental in the establishment of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. She co-founded the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition and launched the #ImmigrantsAreEssential campaign, which received multiple awards for its impact. Originally from Colombia, Hincapié brings a unique bicultural perspective to her work. She has received numerous accolades, including the Univision Corazón Award and the National Public Service Award from Stanford Law School.

Additionally, she has held fellowships at respected institutions and continues to influence the national dialogue on immigration, equity, and democracy. Hincapié earned her juris doctor degree from Northeastern University School of Law and is a sought-after speaker and media figure.