July 25, 2023
Dana Bucin, Partner and Immigration Chair and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Chair, was recently named a Shining Star by Our Influential Women awards presented by the Boy Scouts of America’s Connecticut Rivers Council.
Our Influential Women seeks to honor influential women who are agents of change, mentors and leaders who are making a difference in our communities.
Dana was recognized for her tireless commitment to pro bono legal work on behalf of indigent immigrants and refugees, including seeking a "travel lane" for Ukrainians fleeing to the U.S. who have relatives here. Dana engaged in public advocacy efforts to place pressure on decision-makers to create a dedicated "parole" program like Canada's, which is now a reality in the U.S. via the Uniting for Ukraine Parole Program.
Dana was also honored for her efforts to help Ukrainians in a Tijuana, Mexico refugee camp. In April 2022, she spent three days going back and forth through the U.S.-Mexico border representing refugees seeking humanitarian parole. She counseled and saw more than 2,000 refugees be legally admitted in the United States.
After returning from the Tijuana trip, Dana kickstarted a public service/pro bono partnership between the Honorary Consulate of Romania to CT and the firm's Immigration practice to match Ukrainian refugees to CT sponsors (ctukraine.org) that to date brought more than 91 Ukrainian refugees to Connecticut by placing them with sponsors she identified.
She was also honored for her efforts to mentor law students and undergraduate students in vulnerable communities. Dana directs a volunteer & mentorship program for Romanian students through the Honorary Consulate of Romania, for which she is Honorary Consul.
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