Eight AUWCL Graduates named Immigrant Justice Corps Fellows
The 2023 graduates will serve for two years as staff attorneys
Eight recent American University Washington College of Law graduates have been selected to be 2023 Justice Fellows by the Immigrant Justice Corps (IJC).
The 2023 graduates, Rachel Alexander, Emma Matters, Antonella Banegas, Nicole Gasmen, Luke Hancox, Erin Hoff, Karla Jasmin Manzanares, and Jazmin Moya, are among the 90 fellows selected for their passion, talent, and commitment to immigrant rights. With a diverse array of skills and expertise at their disposal, they are poised to make significant contributions to address the pressing legal representation challenges within the field of immigration.
Alexander is working with the CAIR Coalition, focusing on assisting unaccompanied minors as part of the IJC’s collaboration with the Vera Institute of Justice.
Being the daughter of immigrants, she has a passion for immigration law.
“I am so excited to be kick-starting my career with an organization that wants to foster and hone my skills as an immigration attorney and aims to change the landscape of immigration law for the better,” Alexander said.
During her fellowship, Manzanares will lend her support to the Charlotte immigrant community. As an IJC Fellow, she will help provide legal counsel to an underrepresented population ensuring accessible legal assistance with minimal or no financial burden on the clients.
“Being selected as an IJC fellow is both an honor and a kind welcome into the immigration law community,” said Manzanares. “I'm lucky enough to have the support of the current IJC team, my host organization, and other fellows in the program. I also have the opportunity to build connections with past IJC fellow alums who are now experienced advocates across the country.”
Over the course of their two-year tenure, the fellows will serve as staff attorneys for immigrant legal service providers and community-based organizations across the nation. Their mission is to provide vital legal assistance to economically disadvantaged immigrants, navigating complex immigration matters such as deportation defense and affirmative applications for those seeking refuge from persecution.
~Story by Liz Newton.