Ana Maria Archila facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ana Maria Archila
Personal details
Born	1978/1979 (age 45–46) Colombia
Political party	Democratic / Working Families
Education	Montclair State University (BA)

Ana María Archila (born 1978 or 1979) is an American lawyer and activist. An activist is someone who works hard to bring about social or political change. She is currently a co-director of the New York Working Families Party. Before this, she ran for Lieutenant Governor of New York in 2022. She also used to be a leader at the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD). She helped start and lead Make the Road New York and Make the Road Action, which are groups that help people.

In New York, Ana María worked for better education. She helped lead efforts to make sure public schools had enough money. She also worked to create programs that help students go to college. She supported the New York Dream Act, which helps immigrant students. She was also very involved in getting paid sick days for workers and raising the minimum wage. She has been a strong leader in the fight for fair immigration laws.

Ana María became well-known when she spoke to former Arizona Senator Jeff Flake. This happened just before the Senate was going to vote on a new Supreme Court judge, Brett Kavanaugh. Her actions led to a delay in the voting process. Later, she was a special guest with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the 2019 State of the Union.

Early Life and Education

Ana María Archila was born and grew up in Bogotá, Colombia. When she was 17 years old, she moved to the United States.

She later went to Montclair State University. After college, she started working at the Latin American Integration Center (LAIC). This center was in Staten Island and Queens, New York. The person who started LAIC, Sara Maria Archila, was a human rights lawyer from Colombia and Ana María's aunt.

Working for Change

Leading the Latin American Integration Center

After her aunt, Sara María Archila, passed away, Ana María became the executive director of LAIC in 2003. In this role, she made sure the organization provided important services. She also helped organize people to fight for immigrant rights. She became a voice for Latino immigrant communities in New York state.

Ana María spoke up for parents in Staten Island and Queens who did not speak much English. She helped them get more information about their children's education. Later, LAIC joined with another group to become Make the Road New York (MRNY). Ana María became a co-executive director of this new organization. Under her leadership, MRNY grew to be the biggest group helping immigrants in New York City.

Helping People Across the Country

Ana María then became a co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD). This group works with many community organizations across the country. In her role, Ana María spoke out against the immigration rules of US President Donald Trump. She also spoke against his efforts to change the Affordable Care Act.

She told CNN that taking children away from their parents could cause long-lasting harm. She continued her work for immigration reform. She wanted to create a way for millions of undocumented people to become citizens. In June 2018, Ana María was sad that the zero tolerance policy was still separating immigrant children from their parents.

Ana María also brought attention to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. She pointed out that the island did not have proper government help. She warned that Puerto Rico was not ready for the next hurricane season. She also asked for debt relief to help Puerto Rico's economy. Ana María said that the United States Congress was not helping Puerto Rico enough. She felt they did not see it as their duty to represent the island.

Speaking Up in Washington

Ana María Archila gained national attention during the U.S. Senate hearings for a new Supreme Court judge. She and another activist, Maria Gallagher, spoke to Senator Jeff Flake in an elevator. They asked him to make sure there was a full investigation into the claims against the judge. Their powerful message helped lead to a delay in the Senate's vote. Later that day, President Donald Trump asked the FBI to look into the claims.

Running for Lieutenant Governor

In 2022, Ana María Archila was chosen by Jumaane Williams to be his running mate. They ran together in the 2022 New York gubernatorial election. Ana María's campaign focused on supporting the rights and safety of working people. She wanted to give all working New Yorkers a strong voice in Albany, the state capital.

Many elected officials and groups supported Ana María. These included the Working Families Party, Rep. Jamaal Bowman, Rep. Nydia Velázquez, and New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also supported her. In the primary election, Ana María finished second in a race with three candidates. The current Lieutenant Governor, Antonio Delgado, won the election.

Leading the Working Families Party

In 2023, Ana María Archila and education activist Jasmine Gripper were named co-directors. They now lead the New York chapter of the Working Families Party.