Reflections from Current & Past Immigrant Justice Corps Fellows

Written by: Daniela Zarraga, Bowdoin Maine Community Fellow

This past year, ILAP was proud to become a host organization with Immigrant Justice Corps (IJC), welcoming some amazing new staff members through their fellowship program.

The IJC Fellowship consists of a two-year program that places lawyers with a passion for immigrants’ rights with one of their many partner host organizations.

Meet Emily

emily massell

Immigrant Justice Fellow

Emily’s initial interest in immigration stemmed from her family’s experience moving to Quebec, along with the three years she spent working in Jordan with Syrian refugees following a Fulbright fellowship there. “My time working abroad educated me on the harmful impacts of U.S. foreign policy on other countries and motivated me to help improve access to the immigration system for those who seek refuge here,” she reflects.

At ILAP, Emily works with the Immigrant Children’s Project supporting Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) cases, community outreach at the teen center at Preble Street, and the representation of detained youth. When she is not in the office, you might find Emily at the beach or knitting.

Meet kate

kate weaver

Immigrant Justice Fellow

Kate was initially drawn to immigration law because of a course during her first year of college that included conversations with refugee organizations abroad. She has done extensive work in the immigration field, including research, participation in and management of pro bono projects, and work with immigration organizations in the U.S. and abroad.

Kate is part of the Full Representation team at ILAP, assisting clients with asylum, relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and U-visas for clients who have been victims of a crime in the U.S. She says “building trust with my clients and being able to actively advocate for them,” is an especially meaningful part of her work.

Kate is grateful for the connection with the network of lawyers in the IJC cohort and the opportunity to connect with ILAP, as she did not have Maine on her radar prior to this fellowship. Outside the office, you might find Kate at a lighthouse, on a ferry, or looking for puffins!

Meet ILAP’s Past IJC Fellows

The impact of IJC at ILAP extends beyond our current members. Two of ILAP’s senior attorneys on our Full Representation team started their careers as immigration lawyers through IJC.

Leah Glowacki was part of the 2016 IJC cohort, working in removal defense for children and families through the Central American Refugee Center in Hempstead, New York. Emma Morgenstern, a member of IJC’s 2019 cohort, says, “I found the trainings offered by IJC foundational for my experience and I’m grateful for the network of fellows, many of whom I’m still in contact with!”

Meet the author

Daniela Zarraga

Bowdoin Maine Community Fellow

My name is Daniela and this summer I interned at ILAP through the Bowdoin Maine Community Fellowship. I am in my third year at Bowdoin College double-majoring in Government and Legal Studies and Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies. Applying the skills and experiences I developed at ILAP, I look forward to continuing fostering my passion for immigration rights and being involved within the Maine community!