Elba Heddesheimer

Elba Heddesheimer is a junior in Davenport College at Yale University, majoring in Political Science and pursuing certificates in Spanish and German, with a strong interest in Latin American & Iberian Studies. Her research focuses on migration from Latin America to the United States and the development of inclusive immigration policies.

Elba has gained practical experience working with Latin American immigrant communities through internships at Apostle Immigrant Services, assisting primarily Latine clients, and Human Rights First’s Refugee Representation Team, supported by the Dwight Hall Community Response Fellowship. On campus, she serves as Co-Director of Immigration for Migration Alliance at Yale and leads projects with the Yale Undergraduate Legal Aid Association and Elena’s Light, a nonprofit serving refugee women and families.

In Summer 2025, Elba was a GRP Fellow with the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Rights team, supporting the UPR+ initiative by developing programming aligned with Universal Periodic Review recommendations in Latin American countries. This work deepened her interest in how European development funding supports migration-related initiatives and human rights efforts across the region.