Melissa Aguinaga was born and raised in Lima, Peru. She migrated to the United States upon graduating from high school. In 2008, Mrs. Aguinaga obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, with a minor in Pre-Law. In 2011, she graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from Florida Coastal School of Law and was admitted to the Florida Bar Association.

During law school, Mrs. Aguinaga served as a legal intern at the Jacksonville Legal Aid, Refugee Immigration Project, and Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration & Customs Enforcement in Orlando, Florida.

Mrs. Aguinaga is fluent in English and Spanish. Being an immigrant herself, she has experienced the immigration system first-hand and believes in its importance to the United States.

Mrs. Aguinaga is a member of the American Bar Association (ABA), Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).