Edna Yang is Co-Executive Director of American Gateways, one of the largest immigration legal services providers in Texas. She is a champion for the dignity and human rights of immigrants, refugees, and survivors of persecution, torture, conflict, and human trafficking. Under her leadership, along with fellow Co-Executive Director Rebecca Lightsey, American Gateways provides exceptional immigration legal services at no or low cost, education, and advocacy, in collaboration with a team of pro bono partners. Edna conducts training sessions for law enforcement officials and social service providers throughout Central Texas and nationally. Her presentations focus on how to work with and provide services to immigrants in the community. Edna has over 20 years with American Gateways, formerly the Political Asylum Project of Austin (PAPA). Starting as a Staff Attorney from 2002 – 2006, she provided direct representation to immigrants seeking relief under the immigration provisions of the Violence Against Women Act. Edna expanded her practice to include asylum and removal defense, detention work, and family-based immigration representation; in her role as the Legal Director from 2006 – 2015. She served as the agency’s Interim Executive Director for American Gateways in 2012. Edna started as Co-Executive Director in October 2022.Edna received a J.D. and an M.A. in International Studies from American University in Washington; and her B.A. in Russian Language and Literature and Political Science from the University of Michigan. Edna lives with her family in Austin, Texas.