Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

About the Author

Karla Cornejo Villavicencio is an acclaimed Ecuadorian-American author and essayist whose work fearlessly explores the lives of undocumented immigrants in the United States. Born in Quito, Ecuador, and raised in New York City, she draws from her own experiences as a DACA recipient to illuminate the struggles, resilience, and humanity of marginalized communities often overlooked by mainstream narratives. Her debut book, The Undocumented Americans (One World Essentials), a poignant blend of memoir and reportage, earned critical praise for its raw honesty and vivid storytelling, challenging readers to confront the systemic injustices faced by Latino communities. A graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, Cornejo Villavicencio continues to write essays for outlets like The New Yorker and The Atlantic, advocating for immigrant rights while weaving personal anecdotes with sharp social commentary.