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 As the lead field coordinator for our Safe Haven program in Miami, Alexandra Peralta serves as a shining beacon of hope for the children whose lives she touches every day.
Alexandra came to Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service to work with unaccompanied children—the most vulnerable immigrant population we serve. When immigrant children who arrive in the United States without their parents or other adult caregivers end up in the custody of the federal government, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is there to help when they need it most.
Many of these children have suffered great tragedy and trauma along the way. Each day, Alexandra and dozens more field staff across the country work with the children, their family members and lawyers, staff at youth shelters and group homes, foster families, caseworkers and clinicians at residential treatment centers, community-based organizations and government liaisons to ensure their best possible care. They serve as the children’s most tireless advocates—voices for the voiceless.
The official function of a field coordinator is to provide a best interests determination on behalf of each child, applying proven child welfare principles to advise federal government officials who make decisions about the care and release of minors in their custody. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is an expert is serving unaccompanied children and is currently the only organization contracted to carry out this critical task.
 Alexandra describes her work as “the perfect balance between micro and macro.” She maintains relationships and direct contact with the children under her supervision while continuing to work for systemic change from the national platform of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and through interaction with the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement.
A strong passion for working with immigrants and refugees comes in part from Alexandra’s own experiences. Born in Argentina and having lived in several countries including Italy, Canada, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, she can certainly relate to the migrant experience. Alexandra returned to Argentina for undergraduate work in psychology and traveled to Tokyo to study international human rights in a post-graduate program at the United Nations University.
Her passionate attitude has not gone unnoticed. While finishing her graduate work at Indiana University last year, Alexandra was named as the Master of Social Work Student of the Year by the Indiana Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. The award recognized her “exceptional leadership qualities, as well as her commitment to social justice and her passion to work with refugees throughout the world.”
Before coming to Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Alexandra spent a year in Nairobi, Kenya, where she had the opportunity to work with Somali refugees and other internally displaced persons through the International Organization for Migration. Prior to her international experience, Alexandra served as the resettlement director for Exodus Refugee Immigration in Indianapolis.
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service values Alexandra’s passion and experience, too. She is a remarkable member of a committed team of professionals—program director and national case manager, regional supervisors, field coordinators and program assistants. We are proud of our Safe Haven program staff and the amazing work they do every day to protect vulnerable children! Learn more.
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