ILAP Welcomes & Farewells
BIENVenUE! Wilkommen, Welcome!
Eric Munyentwari
ILAP is thrilled to welcome Eric Munyentwari as a Legal Program Assistant for the Asylum Assistance and Legal Orientation Project (AALOP). Eric was born in Burundi as a Rwandan refugee and has experience in education and law, most recently serving as a professional mediator at the Supreme Court of Rwanda. He is also a Reverend Pastor.
Paula Esteves
We are also excited to welcome Paula Esteves to the AALOP team. Paula is a third-year law student at the University of Maine School of Law and started as a summer Racial Justice Fellow before joining ILAP staff. Originally from Brazil, Paula has worked in both non-profit and private practices of immigration law.
Manuchca Alcime
ILAP is thrilled to welcome Manuchca Alcime as Portland’s office Legal Program Assistant. Manuchca has a background in healthcare, working previously for a non-profit organization strengthening healthcare facilities in northern Haiti. Upon moving to the U.S., Manuchca worked in homecare and environmental services.
Elizabeth Schwartz
We are also excited to welcome Elizabeth Schwartz to ILAP as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. She will be working primarily with ILAP’s Forms Program as well as the Immigrant Children’s Project. Elizabeth is a recent graduate of Saint Louis University, where she studied Environmental Science and Political Science.
Emily Massell, Esq.
We are proud to welcome Immigrant Justice Corps Fellow Emily Massell. Emily is a recent graduate of Northeastern University School of Law and will be working with ILAP’s Immigrant Children’s Project. She completed a Fulbright fellowship in Jordan and worked as a student attorney in Northeastern’s Immigrant Justice Clinic Practicum.
Kate Weaver, Esq.
ILAP is also proud to welcome Immigrant Justice Corps Fellow Kate Weaver, a recent law school graduate from Duke Law who will be working with our full representation team. Kate worked abroad in Switzerland and France, researching immigration topics and worked directly with immigrant communities throughout law school.
Barbara Leen
We are thrilled to welcome Barbara Leen to ILAP’s Board of Directors. Barbara serves as a Senior Corporate Counsel with Microsoft’s U.S. Immigration group. Previously, Barbara worked at the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Senate Judiciary committee where her work focused on immigration policy, legal operations, and litigation.
Farewell & Well Wishes
ILAP said goodbye to Semhar Yehdego, who played an integral role in welcoming clients to ILAP and connecting immigrants across the state with legal support. Best of luck at law school in London, Semhar!
Sue Roche presents a card and gift from ILAP staff to Lauren on her last day as a Jesuit Volunteer.
We also bid farewell to long-time staff member Jennifer Bailey. ILAP was lucky to benefit from her expertise, leadership, and humor for over a decade. Jennifer is, to her core, a tireless advocate for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers here in Maine and around the world. Our deepest appreciation goes out to you, Jennifer. ILAP is the organization it is today in many ways because of your passion and dedication.
ILAP was sad to see Lauren Abrams’ Jesuit Volunteer Corps year come to an end this spring. Among other work, Lauren assisted with over 100 Forms Programs cases during her year here and the impact of her work will be felt for years to come. Thank you, Lauren!
Thank you also to Immigrant Justice Fellows Abby Khanal and Paula Esteves and development and communications intern Emmy Tinkham. Read Meet ILAP's 2023 Summer Interns to hear more about our interns’ incredible work this summer.