Today we’d like to introduce you to Adriana Backhaus.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Without Borders Inc. was co-founded by Adriana Backhaus and Valeska Silva after years of working closely with immigrant families and seeing, firsthand, how confusing and overwhelming the immigration process can be. Many of the people they served did not know where to turn, struggled with language barriers, or had received incorrect information that put their cases at risk. Without Borders grew from the shared belief that immigrants deserve clear guidance, honest answers, and support that respects both the law and the person.
From the beginning, the organization focused on providing practical, lawful immigration services through Department of Justice–authorized representation, along with education and document support. Beyond case preparation, the work includes helping individuals understand their options, make informed decisions, and feel less alone while navigating complex systems. The goal has always been simple: to walk alongside people during difficult moments and help them move forward with clarity and dignity.
As the organization developed, Cristiane Barreto joined the board as an Advisor, offering guidance drawn from her experience in nonprofit development and organizational strategy. Her involvement helped strengthen the structure and long-term vision of Without Borders while keeping the mission centered on service and accountability. Together, the founders and advisory leadership continue to build an organization rooted in trust, community, and care—without borders.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all—it has not been a smooth road.
Like many grassroots organizations, Without Borders Inc. was built while serving people in real time, often with limited resources and under constant pressure. One of the earliest struggles was balancing the urgency of community needs with the responsibility of doing everything the right way—legally, ethically, and sustainably. Immigration work leaves little room for error, and building compliant systems, policies, and structures while actively serving families required long hours, difficult decisions, and constant learning.
Another challenge was emotional and personal. Both co-founders, Adriana Backhaus and Valeska Silva, carried the weight of the stories they encountered—families facing separation, individuals misled by misinformation, and clients arriving after previous harm had already been done. Saying “no” when the law did not allow a solution, setting boundaries, and resisting shortcuts—even when people were desperate—was often painful but necessary. Financial uncertainty, limited staffing, and the slow pace of trust-building in the community were also ongoing realities.
Another ongoing challenge has been explaining who we are to the community we serve. In immigration, most people only recognize two roles: attorneys and paralegals. When individuals hear that we are not attorneys, they often assume we are informal helpers or unlicensed preparers, which creates confusion and hesitation. It takes time to explain that, as a Department of Justice–recognized organization, Without Borders Inc. is legally authorized to represent clients in immigration matters in the same way an attorney would—by filing a G-28, communicating with immigration agencies, and attending interviews alongside our clients. One of our core goals is education: helping the community understand that accredited representation exists specifically to serve low-income and underserved populations lawfully, ethically, and with full authority—so no one feels forced to choose between unaffordable legal fees and unsafe alternatives.
As the organization grew, governance and sustainability became new areas of growth and challenge. Bringing structure to vision, transitioning from informal service to formal accountability, and learning to build a board that could both support and challenge leadership took time. The addition of Cristiane Barreto as an Advisor helped guide that transition, but growth itself required humility, resilience, and patience. The road has been demanding, but each obstacle helped clarify the mission: to serve with integrity, protect the people who trust us, and build something that lasts—even when the path forward isn’t easy.
As you know, we’re big fans of Without Borders – Integrated Solutions. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Without Borders Inc. is a community-based nonprofit organization that provides lawful immigration services, education, and support to low-income and underserved immigrant families. Our work focuses on helping people understand their options, prepare their cases correctly, and navigate complex immigration systems with clarity and dignity. We are a Department of Justice–recognized organization, which means we are legally authorized to represent clients before immigration agencies, including filing G-28 forms, communicating with USCIS and EOIR, and attending interviews and hearings alongside those we serve.
We specialize in family-based immigration, humanitarian relief, waivers, status adjustments, and community education. In addition to direct representation, we place strong emphasis on education—helping individuals understand the law, avoid misinformation, and make informed decisions. Many of the people who come to us have been misled in the past or feel overwhelmed by fear and confusion. Our role is often to slow things down, explain the process honestly, and help them move forward safely, even when the answer is not what they hoped to hear.
What sets Without Borders apart is our commitment to ethical practice and accessibility. We exist in the space between unaffordable private legal services and unsafe, unlicensed help. While we are not attorneys, our recognition allows us to provide representation with the same authority in immigration matters, specifically for communities that otherwise might not have access to quality legal support. We are intentional about compliance, transparency, and boundaries, because protecting our clients also means protecting them from false promises and shortcuts that can cause long-term harm.
Brand-wise, what we are most proud of is trust. Our name is known not because we promise outcomes, but because we tell the truth, follow the law, and stay present with people throughout their process. We want readers to understand that Without Borders is not just about paperwork—it is about walking with people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, offering steady guidance, clear information, and lawful representation rooted in respect. Our work is simple, careful, and community-centered—and that is exactly how we intend to keep it.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
One of the most important things I learned is that mentorship often grows out of proximity, not formality. Instead of searching for someone with the title “mentor,” I paid attention to people whose work, values, and integrity I respected. I showed up consistently—at trainings, community events, nonprofit spaces, and professional settings—and focused on listening more than talking. Asking thoughtful questions, following up, and applying what I learned naturally led to relationships where guidance began to flow without being forced.
Networking has worked best for me when it is purpose-driven, not transactional. I stopped approaching conversations with the mindset of “what can this person do for me?” and shifted to “what can I learn here, and how can I show respect for their time and experience?” Many relationships that later became partnerships or mentorships started as simple, honest conversations. Being clear about what I was building—and where I still needed to grow—created trust and opened doors over time.
Another lesson was understanding the value of bringing the right expertise into the organization. Having an experienced business consultant like Cristiane Barreto on board was essential. Her ability to look outside the box, anticipate obstacles before they appeared, and help structure systems and processes strengthened the organization in ways I could not have done alone. She brought a perspective that balanced mission with sustainability and helped turn vision into structure.
I also learned to seek mentors for specific seasons and needs, rather than expecting one person to guide everything. Some offered insight into nonprofit governance, others into immigration compliance, leadership, or boundaries. Receiving correction—especially when it was uncomfortable—became part of the growth. Building Without Borders Inc. required humility, patience, and a willingness to learn as we went.
If I had one piece of advice, it would be this: be consistent, be teachable, and be honest about where you are. The right mentors often appear once you are already doing the work, not before.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://withoutborders.cliogrow.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/withoutbordersinc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Without-Borders/61580594516114/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/without-borders-inc/
