25 people to watch in 2025: A lived experience now helps other immigrants

Editor’s note: The Herald-Leader will be profiling 25 individuals we predict will be making news in 2025.

We are watching: Mizari Suarez

Background: Executive Director of the Neighbors Immigration Clinic in Lexington, which gives legal representation to immigrants across 20 Kentucky counties.

The upcoming year will be a big one for anyone in the field of immigration, given the threats made by President-elect Donald Trump to round up immigrants of every stripe for deportation.

Suarez is herself an immigrant, so she knows exactly how important it is to disseminate clear and accurate information and advice against a backdrop of confusion and panic.

The Neighbors Clinic will be launching a “Know Your Rights” training so that lawyers, friends, allies and whoever is interested can learn how to go into immigrant communities and provide access to what to do and not do in case of ICE raids.

What Suarez says about 2025: “We will more than likely see an increase in violence toward immigrant communities. We hope to combat hate by leading story-telling spaces for the community members interested in learning how to show up for our immigrant neighbors and understanding the complexities of our immigration system.”

What others say about Suarez: Monica Calleja, who runs the Casa de la Cultura nonprofit group in Lexington, has known Suarez for many years, and says it’s so important to have someone like her in the immigration arena for what’s coming.

“She is a very strong woman with a huge penchant for the cause,” Calleja said. “She understands the depth of immigration law and the frustration when it doesn’t work. Being an impacted person definitely gives you more heart.”