Nelly Paredes Walsborn is an immigration advocate, educator, and community leader originally from Ruiz Cortines, Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico, now based in Oakdale, California. She is the founder and director of 605 Ciudadanía, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing accurate and accessible immigration and citizenship services, especially to migrants vulnerable to legal scams and misinformation.

Nelly arrived in the United States at the age of 18 with limited English and no local family connections apart from an aunt she had never met. Her early years in Los Angeles were marked by economic hardship and language barriers. Over time, she took night classes, pursued higher education, and eventually earned a doctorate in communication sciences. Along the way, she was honored as Woman of the Year in 1995 by Congresswoman Grace Napolitano for her service to the immigrant community.

She has combined her academic and grassroots knowledge through television production, co-directing a local station with her late husband. Together, they produced educational programming on immigration, collaborated with the Department of Education and Immigration, and aired on public access and cable networks. Their work connected her to influential figures such as Antonio Aguilar, Joan Sebastian, Libertad Lamarque, and Lola Beltrán, among others.

Nelly is known for her citizenship and English classes, which she has taught since 1987. She believes in teaching through empathy and personal connection, saying that you must first win someone’s heart before you can guide them in learning. Her classes have supported thousands of students over decades—ranging in age from young children to elders in their 80s—many of whom have gone on to pass citizenship exams with her encouragement and instruction.

Her belief in the power of letter writing has been a recurring theme in her life. She credits one letter for bringing her to the US, and another for helping her resolve an immigration case after receiving a personal response from President Reagan. Her advocacy continues through writing, education, and community outreach.

In 2024, she wrote and presented a corrido honoring the Mexican immigrant community in the San Joaquin Valley, which was performed publicly and recognized for its heartfelt tribute to farmworkers, construction laborers, and working-class dignity. She described the performance as a gift from God, reinforcing her view that music, service, and spirituality are all ways to uplift and unite her community.

For Nelly Paredes, education, faith, and advocacy are lifelong commitments. Her work continues to empower generations of immigrants—equipping them not only with legal knowledge but with cultural pride, confidence, and the tools to participate fully in American civic life.