We’re excited to welcome Daniella Paniagua-Ruiz to the Sierra Community House team! As our new Legal Advocate specializing in immigration support, Daniella brings both passion and purpose to their role—supporting individuals and families navigating complex legal systems with care, compassion, and expertise.
In her role as Legal Advocate – Immigration Specialist, Daniella will be working closely with our legal team, to support clients with a wide range of immigration services. This includes assisting with DACA renewals, U-Visa applications, and the naturalization process. She also helps prepare individuals for their immigration interviews and ensures that every client receives clear, thorough information about their options and next steps. Her goal is to empower clients with knowledge and guidance during what can often be a complex and emotional process.
We sat down with Daniella to learn a bit more about their background, what inspires them, and what they’re most looking forward to in this new chapter with our community.
Can you tell us a little bit about your background and what brought you to Sierra Community House?
Daniella a Truckee local and the oldest of three daughters in an immigrant family, so immigration has always been something close to my heart. She went to UC Riverside and studied political science, and throughout school found herself drawn to anything related to immigration policy or advocacy. Daniella always heard such great things about Sierra Community House, and knew she wanted to be part of an organization that’s truly making a difference right here in our community. Daniella feels passionate to be doing work that’s both personal and impactful.
What excites you most about your new role?
Everything about this role excites Daniella! She is especially looking forward to working alongside such experienced immigration specialists—there’s so much she is excited to learn from them. Daniella is also really excited to get a better understanding of the other programs at Sierra Community House and how they all come together to support the community. To Daniella, it feels like such a dynamic and meaningful place to be.
What’s something you’re passionate about outside of work?
Outside of work, Daniella really passionate about reading and learning—she’s always loved diving into new books and ideas. She also enjoys reading to learn new words and expand her vocabulary. One of her favorite books is The School for Good and Evil. She’s a big fan of stories that mix a little magic with meaningful lessons.
Are you a coffee or tea person?
Daniella loves coffee and trying out new places and flavors! In the morning, she usually keeps it simple with a plain black coffee, but by midday, she’ll switch it up with an iced caramel latte. It’s the perfect little pick-me-up!
What does community mean to you?
To Daniella, community means being surrounded by people you feel connected to and truly belong with. It’s about showing up for each other—both physically and emotionally—and knowing that you’re supported, especially during your hardest moments. It’s about giving, receiving, and just being there for one another in a real, meaningful way.
We’re so grateful to have Daniella on board as we continue our mission to connect and empower our community through family strengthening, crisis intervention, hunger relief, and legal support. With Daniella’s dedication to immigrant justice and community advocacy, we know they will make a powerful impact. Learn more about our legal program here.
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