Alicia was born and raised in Hillsboro Oregon along with her 12 brothers and sisters. Half of Alicia’s siblings came to America as refugees and have since been able to petition for their siblings and parents to join them in the US. Family gatherings at the Vial homestead are very exciting with over 70 family members, representing 3 different nationalities and speaking 8 languages.

Alicia and her husband raise their four children on their farm, along with approx. 15 head of cattle, 5 horses, and a multitude of sheep and chickens.

In 2002-2003, Alicia spent a year and a half in the Indian Ocean learning French on the Islands of Mauritius and La Reunion. Upon returning she continued her studies in anthropology at BYU-Hawaii, where she decided to learn Spanish. Alicia then completed her senior ethnography project in Momostenango Guatemala. She continues to visit as often as possible to spend time with the family who took her in while there as a young student. Alicia completed her Law Degree at BYU Law in Utah and spent as much time as possible during law school traveling and volunteering doing non-profit work. Alicia runs a non-profit which supports sustainable humanitarian businesses in various countries in Africa.

Alicia loves the complexity and happy endings she gets to play a part in with immigration law. Alicia is a member of American Immigration Lawyers Associates (AILA).