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LUZ ELENA

@finding.luz

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followers

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mexican american
dc/nova + everywhere 🌎🗞️
✉️[email protected]

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the truth about machismo that nobody wants to admit? it’s woven into everyday life.

I’ve been told I “don’t know when to shut up.”

and you know what? they were absolutely right.

because what they left out was that one day, that voice would become my calling: carrying people’s stories and using my voice to advocate for immigrants.

so, to all my first-gen’s, Latinas, and women:

don’t shut up.

and happy Latina day !!!✨🤍🫶🏼 taken in Washington, DC by @finding.luz

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a month ago

what you see v my why.

my culture. my roots. my people. my pride. 🇲🇽
this is why I show up. by @finding.luz

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8 months ago

i get to run freely in the middle of dc, and that’s not a privilege i take lightly.

if you’re new here, a few things about me to get you up to speed:

-i was laid off from domestic immigration policy and advocacy — a field i had just broken into in dc. update!! I back in immigration work (❤️‍🩹 july 2026)

-i’m healing and grieving from that, and from watching how much my community continues to hurt. 💔

-i’m a proud first-gen mexican american (¡que viva méxico!).

-lately i’ve been figuring out my next career path while running it off and training for my first half marathon.

and i’ll always stand by my people — no matter how cringe or uncomfortable it makes others, online or in real life.

so grateful for everyone i’ve connected with here and all the love & support. 💛

#washingtondc #immigration #latina #firstgen resistance taken in Washington D. C. by @finding.luz

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a year ago

cómo se explica esto? 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽

#latina #mexicanamerican #firstgen #colombia #méxico taken in Baltimore, Maryland by @finding.luz

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17 hours ago

guys I guess running is my personality until my next half marathon in November!! that’s right, I’m running my third half and discipline will be my best friend until then…. go run!!

#runner #strava #firstgen #mexican #dc taken in Washington D. C. by @finding.luz

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4 days ago

I didn’t used to love running.
I actually hated it. I’d hate the gym because that meant ‘running.’ and before last year, I don’t think I’ve ran a mile in years.

I’m not proud of it, but it’s the truth. then last year, my life changed. I got laid off from my job in immigration advocacy and I quite literally lost my mind seeing what was happening in our country. so I went on a run…

I always joke, “wow things have must have been REALLY BAD if I decided to run.” and they were, I don’t think people talk enough about grieving something you poured so much into as a first-generation Latina.

anyway, I thought, “why not make running a little fun and sign up for a half marathon?”

I’m so glad I did!!!!!

I started running early last year and now I’m training for my third half marathon and working back in immigration advocacy 🤍

running is escapism for me. everyday, all I’m reading and keeping track of is what’s happening next. who’s TPS ended, unaccompanied children’s legal services funds were cut, immigr*nt families are getting k*dnapped…etc. it doesn’t end.

so today, I’m extra grateful for frolicks before sunrise and a big fat coffee after 🗞️🌥️

#mexicanamerican #firstgenlatina #politics #running #dc taken in Washington, DC by @finding.luz

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9 days ago

should I tell you what this post was going to be about?

my happy moments, and it still can be. just with a little politics on the side because everything is political. but I wanted to intentionally capture my moments of joy because being in this space (working in immigration advocacy as a first gen Mexican American) for years is draining.

I talk a little bit more about life as a Latina during these trying times on my substack! go check it out!

‘a millions things & my luteal phase’ in my bio!

#mexicanamerican #latina #immigration #politics #substack

farmers market every weekend and guess who came with?

your reminder: buy local and organic 🍎🥬 because well…you know

god do I really need to say more? farmers market run with a carrot juice on the side 🥕

I’ve been blowing up some family pictures and landed on this one…San Miguel de Allende with my babe 😍

travel is political. if you disagree, idk what to tell you.

having a safe home for the three of us. I get to have that. political?

having the opportunity to continue to learn about immigrati…political.

what do you mean I get to freely drive around as a first gen Mexican American in these trying times? taken in Northern Virginia by @finding.luz

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11 days ago

all while people are still being detained, abused, and kidnapped in the United States…

I get online and see artists and people with wealth and platforms, and I wonder: how can I support someone who cannot publicly support basic human rights?

shouting “Free Palestine” shouldn’t be controversial. defending immigrants shouldn’t be called heroic. caring about children shouldn’t be radical.

and yet, so many people choose silence because it’s easier.

meanwhile, I’m a first-gen Mexican American, sitting in a work meeting advocating for unaccompanied children while ICE is targeting people in my hometown in Virginia, detention camps are still open, families are still being separated, and I’m watching people with enormous platforms say nothing.

I’m not saying this because I think I’m doing something extraordinary. I don’t think speaking up should make anyone heroic.

I think the people who have the most to lose aren’t always the people who are speaking the loudest and the people who have the least to lose shouldn’t be the ones doing all the speaking.

I hope this inspires you to use your voice 🤍 I will continue using mine!

#hispanicheritagemonth #mexican #latinapower #immigration #politics taken in Northern Virginia by @finding.luz

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14 days ago

as a first generation Mexican American, the worst thing I could ever be is someone who looks back on her life and realizes she stood quiet.

#firstgen #mexicanamerican #latina #politics #immigration taken in Northern Virginia by @finding.luz

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16 days ago

is it bad that I love Charlottesville (the most) for their pumpkin cider and apple cider donuts !? 🍩🍻🍎🧺

#firstgenmexicanamerican #latina #latinatraveler #charlottesville

we turn 5 years married this year 😭😭😭

I’ve been brownsugarmaxxxxing @summerfridays

🌈🌈🌈🌈

I become obsessed with anything pumpkin and apple cider this time of year, but don’t we all?!

our friends gifted this to us 🥹🥹🥹 I can’t wait for the special occasion to pop this open

🍾🧺💐🥂🌳 taken in Charlottesville, Virginia by @finding.luz

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22 days ago

chillona pero ching♡na….fue un sueño hecho realidad poder estar en CDMX y sentir el orgullo mexicano como una primera generación mexicoamericana 😭😭😭

alguien más estará en el juego al fin del mes en @mandtbankstadium ?? taken in Northern Virginia by @finding.luz

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25 days ago

my life as a first-generation Latina & all the fun:

(I know I’ve shared so much heaviness on here soooo get ready for the fun stuff 🤪)

my actual reaction to eating pizza for breakfast in NYC at the very end !!!!

this was actually one of the most peaceful sunrise runs

NYC = taquitos 🫶🏼

I think I was meant to live in NYC in another lifetime. I have other places I’d love to live in first pero super cute, no?

something about living in the city but it still feeling like a casita in the middle of the woods on a rainy day 🌧️

if I don’t drop a pizza pic in the dump, please check on me ❤️‍🩹

inspired by @itsnataliecass to simply buy groceries at the farmers market. I fear I cannot go back to the stores for my produce 🌿

cafe con leche y Latina power @shopjzd

is my work really work when I love it? tell meee

best way to start my days 🏃🏻‍♀️

mi bebé precioso, my only child @itsositobonito

como que comimos pizza antes de medio día porque se nos dio la gana 🙂‍↕️ taken in Northern Virginia by @finding.luz

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a month ago