Teen in Los Angeles creates app on immigrant rights
LOS ANGELES (NBC, KYMA) - An eighth grade student in Los Angeles is earning national recognition for his app which teaches people about their rights regarding immigration.
He says he was inspired by what he's seeing in his own community.
On his laptop, 14-year-old Julian Miramontes demonstrates an app he created to help people understand their rights when encountering immigration officers.
He even showed Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) how to use the tool.
"I wanted to create a resource that was easily accessible so people could know their rights in this country," Miramontes shared.
The El Sereno Middle School student is the winner for California's 35th Congressional District in the National App Challenge, a nationwide competition encouraging middle and high school students to design original apps that solve real-world problems.
"I saw the effects these immigration raids were having on the community," Miramontes explained.
Miramontes says he created the app at school in one of his STEM classes. He says it outlines key information people should know during an encounter with immigration officers
To reinforce understanding, the app quizzes the user.
His parents say the project reflects both his technical skills and his empathy.
"For us to see that he, on his own, took the initiative of choosing this topic, which is near and dear to us and our family members, it definitely creates a sense of pride and joy for us," said Enoc Miramontes, Miramontes' father.
Rep. Gomez says the app responds to real issues in the community adding, "What is going on at the moment, recognizes the crisis and what the fear is in the neighborhood and says, 'Okay, what would I want people to have?'"
While the award brings recognition, the teen says his true goal is simple.
"I am helping out my community in a good way," Miramontes expressed.
In addition to his $250 prize, Miramontes will have the opportunity to go to Washington D.C. and meet other other winners from across the country.
