Brooke graduated with a Master in Legal Studies from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in May of 2020. Coming from a Mexican immigrant family, Brooke grew up seeing the struggles and injustices many of her own family members faced and still face. Her experiences and passion led her to pursue a career in advocacy in hopes of advocating for the rights of BIPOC LGBTQ+ communities. Brooke plans to attend law school in the future to become an immigration attorney and is also a native Spanish speaker. She is thrilled to be a part of RMIAN, working alongside immigration attorneys. In her free time, Brooke enjoys spending time with her husband and her 5 English bulldogs.

Emily Bachman Brock, Esq.

She, Her, Ella

Deputy Managing Attorney, Children’s Program
Abogada Senior del Programa Infantil

Emily Brock is a 2012 graduate of The Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law in Washington, DC. She received her undergraduate degree in International Studies at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to law school she worked as a paralegal in the legal department of Morgan Stanley in New York. During law school, Emily joined the Families in Law Clinic as a student attorney where she represented low-income victims of domestic violence under the supervision of licensed attorneys. Seeking more experience in immigration, she accepted an Equal Justice America Fellowship to work as a legal intern at Ayuda, a nonprofit organization in the DC area that provides legal and social services to immigrants. After graduating from law school, Emily joined Ayuda as a pro bono attorney before moving to Colorado with her husband in April of 2013. Before joining RMIAN, Emily was an Associate at the private immigration law firm, Green and Gardner, LLC. Emily is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and is proficient in Spanish.

Grace joined RMIAN in January 2023 as a Legal Extern for the Children's Program and then became a Law Clerk for the Children's Program in August 2023. Grace graduated from The University of Colorado Law School in May 2023 and received her undergraduate degree in 2019 from The City College of New York in New York City. Before law school, Grace worked as an immigration paralegal at a boutique law firm in NYC, where she assisted children and families on their immigration cases. During law school, Grace continued to study and work in immigration law. She joined the Criminal and Immigration Clinic at CU Law as a Student Attorney representing clients in immigration court and preparing Asylum, DACA, and SIJS applications. Grace also interned at The Door Legal Services in NYC, where she provided immigrant youth with legal support on their immigration cases. As an Ecuadorian-American, Grace is passionate about the work she does and is honored to advocate for the rights of immigrant families and children. Grace is fluent in Spanish.

Paulina Cook is a 2019 graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science with a minor in Writing from the University of Colorado in Denver. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Paulina spent a semester working with Colorado Legal Services in their intake program helping to screen clients for free legal assistance. During law school, Paulina attended classes in Antigua, Guatemala, to better expand her legal vocabulary in Spanish. She then worked at Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Clinic helping applicants apply for certain humanitarian visas. Paulina spent her last year of law school in Madrid, Spain, obtaining a LLM concurrently with her third year of law school. In pursuit of the LLM, Paulina wrote a thesis on the topic of Free Trade and its possible deadly effects on trade union leaders. She enjoys travel and learning about different cultures.

Denis is a Staff Attorney for the Detention Program at the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN), where he represents immigrants in bond and removal proceedings before the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Prior to joining RMIAN in early 2024, Denis acquired extensive private practice experience in cases involving complex immigration and criminal histories. A member of the State Bar of Arizona and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Denis earned his J.D. from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University and his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Systems from Arizona State University. Born in Curitiba, Brazil, Denis is a first generation immigrant who also lived in Mexico before immigrating to the United States. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and conversational in French.

Jenny joined the team in 2025 as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She was raised in Miami, Florida, to Cuban immigrant parents. She loves to connect with people from all backgrounds and experiences and believes it is an honor to welcome newcomers to the country. Jenny graduated from the University of Denver with her Masters in Social Work in 2019. Her professional experience includes providing psychotherapy to immigrants in English, Spanish, and via interpretation, and providing case management to unaccompanied children through Bethany Christian Services. Jenny has also supported refugee youth and families at the International Rescue Committee and worked reengaging students into alternative school programs with Colorado Youth for a Change. She interned with Lutheran Family Services School Programs and spent several summers interning at inner city summer camps with UrbanPromise. In all of these experiences, Jenny has enjoyed working with clients and believes each client has an important story to tell and is worthy of love, respect, and dignity. In her free time, Jenny loves spending time with her family, meeting any animal, playing sports, singing, and writing.

Mari was introduced to the world of immigration law as a sophomore in high school due to her internship with Palmer Polaski LLC. After five years, she then explored the nonprofit world by working for an organization that served her as a young student, Mile High 360, for three years. With the experience and knowledge gained, she then realized that she wanted to continue helping immigrants, but that she also missed the drive and motivation of helping a community. After graduating from the University of Colorado at Denver with a B.A. in English, she found the right path for her and joined RMIAN in December of 2022. During her free time, she likes spending time with her three dogs and finding new coffee shops to enjoy a good book.

Christine joined RMIAN in January 2022 as a Children’s Program Staff Attorney. Before joining RMIAN, Christine worked as a staff attorney at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid in Edinburg and San Antonio, Texas, where she represented survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking who were seeking humanitarian relief. Christine received her B.A. from Kenyon College in Gambier, OH and her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. Prior to law school, Christine served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala.

Gabby was born and raised in the Denver community. She graduated from Colorado Mesa University with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a law degree from Denver University Sturm College of Law. During law school Gabby was a part of the Immigration Law and Policy Clinic where she worked directly with clients in the Aurora ICE detention center and provided pro bono services to other immigrants in Denver. Gabby also interned with several small immigration firms in the Denver area where she had the opportunity to learn more about the immigration landscape. She is passionate about public service and helping immigrants in the community where she grew up. Gabby is an indoor plant enthusiast and has a small jungle at home. She loves spending time in the mountains and exploring Colorado. 

Mekela Goehring, Esq.

She, Her, Ella

Executive Director
Directora Ejecutiva

Mekela Goehring has served as RMIAN’s Executive Director since 2005. She began working at RMIAN in 2003 as the organization’s first detention staff attorney, representing detained clients before the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Board of Immigration Appeals. She is a frequent speaker on issues involving immigration law and policy, and works with numerous committees and groups to expand access to justice for individuals in immigration proceedings in Colorado and beyond. Mekela has served as an adjunct professor for externships at the University of Colorado Law School. Prior to working at RMIAN, Mekela clerked for Judge Casebolt at the Colorado Court of Appeals. Mekela’s passion for working for social justice through the legal system began during fellowships at Community Legal Services in Yuma, Arizona, and Colorado Legal Services in Denver, Colorado. Mekela graduated summa cum laude from the University of Colorado at Boulder and earned her J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School. She was admitted to the Colorado bar in 2002. Mekela has been a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association since 2003. In 2013, the American Immigration Lawyers Association awarded Mekela the Arthur C. Helton Human Rights Award for her outstanding service in advancing the cause of human rights. In 2018, the University of Colorado Law School awarded Mekela the Dean’s Choice—Dean Edward C. King Making a Difference Award. In her free time, Mekela enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and all their animals in the Colorado outdoors.

Ashley Harrington, Esq.

She, Her, Ella

Managing Attorney, Children’s Program
Abogada Gerente del Programa Infantil

Ashley Turner Harrington joined RMIAN's Children's Program in February 2014. Ashley specializes in representing immigrant children and families that are survivors of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and other trauma. She is a frequent lecturer on children’s immigration law. Prior to joining RMIAN, Ashley worked as an Associate Attorney for three years at the private immigration law firm, Lichter Immigration. During law school at the University of Colorado, Ashley interned at the Rocky Mountain Survivors Center where she successfully represented asylum seekers and at the Immigrant Legal Center of Boulder County where she represented low-income immigrants. In law school, she earned a full merit scholarship, the Dufford and Brown Legal Writing Award, First Place in Appellate Advocacy Oral Argument Competition, and the Chase Human Rights, Women's Law Caucus, Equal Justice America, and Equal Justice Works Fellowships. Ashley went to law school after working as an advocate for several years with survivors of domestic violence. Ashley is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She was born and raised in Denver, where she lives with her husband, two children and giant dog. She is proficient in Spanish.

Shira Hereld joined RMIAN as a legal fellow in September 2023. They graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Penn Carey Law School in 2023 and received their undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Theatre from The George Washington University. Prior to law school, they worked as a wilderness therapy guide, a trails laborer in the National Parks, a resident assistant at a homeless shelter, and a volunteer and event coordinator with a street newspaper. During law school, they volunteered on a co-disciplinary team of attorneys and social workers supporting youth tried as adults in the Philadelphia prison system. They also volunteered with the Trans Empowerment and Advocacy pro bono group, assisting trans folx in acquiring legal name changes.

Kenny Hood

He, Him, Él

Director of Operations
Director de Operaciones

Kenny Hood first joined RMIAN as an intern beginning in September 2012 and became a staff member in August 2013. He has an MA in International Human Rights from the University of Denver and, as a first-generation college student, a BA from University of Northern Iowa in Mass Communication and Spanish, which he speaks proficiently. After college, Kenny worked with at-risk youth in the rural Midwest; with American students living and studying abroad in the United Kingdom; and at the Voice of America news agency in Washington, DC. He then served three years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic where he worked in youth education and community development. While living in the DR, Kenny led two nationwide initiatives aimed at educating young Dominicans about sexual health and life skills and, through living in a majority Haitian community, developed a passion for working with immigrant populations.

Carly Howenstein is the LOP Legal Advocate for the detention team at RMIAN. She graduated magna cum laude in 2019 from the University of Denver where she majored in International Studies and Spanish and minored in Sociology. While there, she was honored to receive the Excellence in Spanish Studies Award, a prestigious award given to a select group of graduating seniors each year. Prior to starting at RMIAN she interned with a non-profit called Casa de Paz where she was able to work with detained and recently released immigrants. It was then that she knew she wanted to continue working in immigration. Carly has worked and studied in both Oaxaca, Mexico, and Valparaiso, Chile. She loves to travel and learn about new places, people and cultures. She is honored to be a part of the RMIAN staff where she can meet people from all around the world and continue to advocate for social justice. 

Sarah Hunt, Esq.

Staff Attorney, Children’s Program
Abogada del Personal del Programa Infantil

Sarah graduated summa cum laude from the University of Akron in 2019 where she received a degree in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. While there, she participated in various victims rights programs which inspired her to attend law school with a focus on public service. Sarah received her law degree from The Ohio State University where she continued to advocate for victim and human rights. She also worked as a student attorney in the law school's juvenile clinic where she represented multiple children seeking a fair trial. Sarah provides pro bono legal representation to detained clients throughout their immigration proceedings. Additionally, she provides "Know Your Rights" presentations and support to immigrant children and families. Sarah is admitted to practice law in Ohio and Federal courts and in her free time enjoys spending time traveling, hiking, and spending time with loved ones. Sarah is fluent in Spanish.

Sarah Kim, CPA

She, Her, Ella

Vice President of Finance
Vicepresidenta de Finanzas

Sarah Kim is a graduate of the University of Colorado, Leeds School of Business, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting and a minor in Ethnic Studies. She began her career as an auditor for Ernst and Young, LLP. A few years later, she transitioned to an accounting position at First Data Corporation, where she worked for over three years. In 2005 she founded a boutique accounting firm specializing in providing financial services for businesses and nonprofit organizations. Sarah has a passion for supporting organizations with missions that elevate our communities. She began working with RMIAN in March 2007. In her spare time she enjoys her family and having new experiences.

Nicole King first interned at RMIAN as a student at the University of Denver Sturm College of law. She was so drawn to the work that she returned to RMIAN as a staff attorney with the Children’s Program in September 2024. Prior to working at RMIAN, Nicole was a staff attorney at The Meyer Law Office specializing in the intersection between criminal and immigration law and clerked on the Colorado Supreme Court. During law school, Nicole participated in the Immigration Law and Policy Clinic and researched racial disparities in the death penalty.  Before law school, Nicole worked for several years in the public health sector for the state of Colorado. She also spent a year working for a community health organization in the Dominican Republic and two years working for the Ministry of Education in Chile, where she became proficient in Spanish. Nicole holds a BA from The College of New Jersey and an MA in International Development from the Korbel School at the University of Denver. Outside of work, Nicole loves to travel and spend time making a mess in her kitchen with her energetic toddler and plump orange tabby who benefits from all the scraps.

Lisa Kunkel received a dual Masters of Social Work/Masters of International Studies from the University of Denver in 2005. She joined RMIAN’s social work project in 2024 after practicing as a clinical social worker in community mental health settings for twelve years, primarily with Spanish-speaking adults and youth. Lisa was an In-Country Coordinator for Peace Brigades International’s Colombia Project in Bogota from 2008 to 2012. Peace Brigades provides international protective accompaniment to human rights defenders who face threats for carrying out their work. She was also the Community Education Program Manager for SafeHouse Denver and has specialized in mental health accompaniment for survivors of intimate partner violence and gender-based violence. Since interning with RMIAN in 2005, Lisa has admired the organization's work and it has informed her social work practice ever since. Outside of work, Lisa does her best to keep up with her two kids and two dogs with the support of family and friends.

Melina joined RMIAN in October 2023 after twelve years of working in the immigration legal field as a paralegal, a DOJ Accredited Representative, a legal intern, and now, as an attorney. Melina’s experience is predominantly in humanitarian immigration relief on behalf of survivors of human trafficking and other crimes, and agricultural workers. She has also worked with individuals in immigration detention, people returned to Mexico during the Trump administration’s “remain in Mexico program” (MPP), and families reunifying through consular processing, among others. Before law school, Melina worked for six years in what is now the Survivor Services Unit of Colorado Legal Services (CLS), providing legal services with a focus on immigration to survivors of human trafficking. In this role, she served on the Steering Committee of the Colorado Network to End Human Trafficking, and on the Data and Research Task Force of the gubernatorial Colorado Human Trafficking Council. Upon graduation, Melina returned to CLS as a Gallogly Family Foundation Public Interest Law Fellow with the Migrant Farm Worker Division, representing agricultural workers in immigration and employment cases. In her current role at RMIAN, Melina supports the “Docket Team,” providing legal orientation and serving as Friend of the Court at the Denver immigration court, and represents young people and families who are in removal proceedings. Melina holds a JD from the University of Colorado, an MA in Latin American Studies from Tulane University, and a BA in Latin American Studies and Spanish from the University of New Mexico.

Yuliya Levertova joined RMIAN in February 2024 as a Children’s Program Staff Attorney. As a naturalized citizen, Yuliya has a personal dedication to helping others navigate through the complex immigration system. Yuliya represents unaccompanied children before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Denver Immigration Court, and Colorado District Courts. Prior to joining RMIAN, Yuliya worked as an Associate Attorney at Hernandez & Associates, P.C. While in law school at the Boston University School of Law, Yuliya represented victims of sex and labor trafficking seeking immigration relief and assisted them in obtaining U and T visas. She additionally interned at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of Chief Counsel and the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Yuliya speaks Russian and Spanish.

Adriana graduated with her Paralegal Associate of Applied Science degree and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Journalism in 2019. As a proud daughter of Mexican Immigrant parents, Adriana has seen the struggles her parents, siblings, and friends have had to face. Being a part of those struggles motivated her to pursue a career focused on helping immigrants navigate the difficult immigration system. After working for the Colorado State Public Defender’s Office and The Department of Human Services, she felt she wanted to do more to help Immigrants and she joined RMIAN February of 2023. Adriana feels blessed and honored to be able to be part of a team that advocates for the rights of Immigrants. Outside of work, Adriana enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, visiting National Parks, and spending time with her family and her two dogs. 

Carolina graduated summa cum laude from Loyola University Chicago in 2019 where she received a degree in History and International Studies and a minor in Environmental Leadership. During her college career, she strove to be a woman for and with others through her volunteer and advocacy work. She organized and engaged in writing campaigns fighting for undocumented students’ rights. She spent a semester in Cape Town, South Africa, where she volunteered at a children’s home as a friendly companion for the four and five-year old children. In South Africa, Carolina studied the effects of apartheid on community development. Carolina now serves as a Legal Advocate for both the Detention Program and the Children’s Program at RMIAN. As a proud child of Mexican immigrants, Carolina is humbled to be working for the rights of immigrant families and individuals.

Laura Lunn is RMIAN’s Director of Advocacy & Litigation. Through this role, she works alongside clients, staff members, and community partners to lift-up the experiences of the people RMIAN serves. Laura strives to increase public awareness about how the U.S. immigration system functions and advocates for ways to make it more humane, with a focus on ending the use of immigration detention and ensuring that every person who appears before the immigration courts has access to no-cost legal representation. Laura practices removal defense and engages in federal court litigation before U.S. district and circuit courts. Additionally, Laura teaches an Asylum Law & Advocacy Practicum at the Sturm College of Law - University of Denver. Following law school, Laura clerked as an Attorney Advisor for the El Paso Immigration Courts through the U.S. Attorney General's Honors Program. Before joining RMIAN Laura worked in private practice and served as the Interim Managing Attorney at the family detention center in Dilley, Texas. Laura attended the University of Iowa College of Law and earned her B.A. at Colgate University.

Savannah Meroney is the Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney for the Children's Program at RMIAN. Prior to joining RMIAN, Savannah worked as a private immigration attorney in Houston, Texas. During this time, she took on many pro bono cases representing children and families seeking immigration relief and regularly volunteered with local nonprofits at pro se asylum clinics, nationalization workshops, and other events. Savannah graduated from Elisabeth Haub School of Law in 2013 with a certificate in International Law. Savannah is excited to support attorneys from different fields and backgrounds who are interested in donating their time to help meet the need for legal representation for immigrant children and families in Colorado. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and hiking with her friends and family. 

Miriam joined RMIAN in October of 2022 as an Immigration Paralegal for the Children’s program. She is a first-generation graduate, receiving her Bachelor in Political Science from the Metropolitan State University of Denver and more recently graduating with a Master in Political Science from the University of Colorado at Denver in 2021. She has previously worked as a victim advocate at Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Center, advocating for victims of crime and immigrants. Born in Mexico and having moved to Denver with her family when she was seven years old, Miriam has had first-hand experience in dealing with the legal system. Her experiences have motivated her to help those within her community who struggle to understand the complexity of the immigration system, so they may have the assistance and tools they need to not be phased by their immigration processes. In her free time, Miriam enjoys reading, traveling and hiking.

Shaleen joined RMIAN in January 2019 as the Detained Representation Attorney Fellow through the Denver Immigrant Legal Defense Fund. She is a 2013 graduate of the InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico and a 2017 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law. While in law school, Shaleen worked as a student attorney representing migrant farm workers, survivors of domestic violence and the elderly. Shaleen's passion of serving indigent communities and advocating for social justice has been largely inspired by the oftentimes difficult but profound stories of past clients. Prior to joining RMIAN, Shaleen worked at the Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center at St. Louis representing incarcerated individuals. Shaleen is admitted to practice in Missouri and a native Spanish speaker.

Natalie Petrucci is RMIAN’s Legal Orientation Program (LOP) Supervising Attorney. Through this role, she seeks to educate individuals detained at the Aurora detention facility about their rights and options for release and relief from removal. She also aims to provide empowering case support to individuals fighting their cases pro se. Prior to serving in this role, Natalie was a Supervising Senior Staff Attorney at Human Rights First where she defended the rights of asylum seekers by engaging in direct representation and mentorship of pro bono attorneys. Previously, she advocated for policy change at the state and national levels on behalf of marginalized workers and represented unaccompanied immigrant children and asylum seekers in private practice and with RMIAN’s Children’s Program. Natalie served in the U.S. Peace Corps in rural Panama and is a graduate of UCLA School of Law. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Colorado with her family and lab puppy.

Keyla Ramos

She, Her, Ella

Accountant
Contadora

Keyla joined RMIAN as the fulltime accountant on April, 2022. With more than 8 years of experience working in the financial and administrative industry, she has had the privilege to provide financial help to many and be involved in her community. Keyla is beyond grateful to be a part of RMIAN for their impact in the immigrant community. In her spare time Keyla enjoys spending time with her family, her husband, 4 kids, as well as her dad and siblings. She looks forward to being able to contribute her knowledge and experience to RMIAN’s mission for immigrant rights and social justice.

Gina Rangel

She, Her, Ella

Coordinator & Paralegal, Children’s Program
Coordinadora y Paralegal del Programa Infantil

Gina Rangel has been in the legal field since 2013. Her background is mostly in family-based immigration, but she has also worked in criminal defense and personal injury. Gina was born in Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States with her parents and little sister at the age of six. She is a first generation college student, having just completed an A.A. in political science at the Community College of Aurora and is currently working towards a B.A. at Metropolitan State University Denver. What Gina most enjoys about working with the immigrant community is not just witnessing their immense gratitude and perseverance, but also seeing her family and friends reflected in them. The fact that we can help someone obtain justice as well as an opportunity to pursue a better future means so much. In her free time, Gina enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and going on adventures with her husband and my dog April.

Jenny is the Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney for the Detention Program. She joined RMIAN in September 2020 as an Equal Justice Works Fellow sponsored by Pfizer, Inc. Through her fellowship, she coordinated a medical-legal partnership and worked to represent medically vulnerable women and gender minorities in detention. Jenny was a recipient of the Chancellor’s Scholarship at the University of Denver (DU) Sturm College of Law. She graduated in May 2020 with the Kenneth L. Smith Award. During law school, Jenny advocated for clients through the DU Immigration Law and Policy Clinic and with immigration legal services and civil rights organizations in the Denver area, including the Meyer Law Office, Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC, the Migrant Farm Worker Division of Colorado Legal Service, and RMIAN. Before law school, Jenny worked to provide immigration legal assistance to unaccompanied children on the Texas-Mexico border as an accredited representative with the South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project (ProBAR). She also had the privilege of living in Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, Bolivia for three years while working for a nonprofit organization. Jenny is originally from Newton, Kansas.

Nathalia graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver in December of 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. She is a proud first-generation daughter to Mexican immigrant parents and has witnessed the challenges that come with the immigration system through her family and close friends. Prior to RMIAN, she interned at the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking where she contributed to the statewide research projects, Colorado Project and the Root Causes Project. There she further developed her interest in social justice and human rights work for underserved communities which led her directly to RMIAN. Nathalia joined RMIAN in February of 2024 where she is proud to combine her passion for social justice and providing assistance to families and children.

Sabrina is a RMIAN Children's Program Staff Attorney and represents unaccompanied immigrant children seeking humanitarian relief, such as asylum, special immigrant juvenile status, U visas for survivors of crime and T visas for survivors of human trafficking. Additionally, she provides "Know Your Rights" presentations and support to immigrant children and families. Sabrina is a returning staff member. Her experiences at RMIAN motivated her to attend law school and become an immigration lawyer. She is a 2013 graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. She enjoys volunteering with organizations who serve immigrant communities, such as the Asian Pacific Development Center and Metro State University. Sabrina speaks Spanish, and she is a first generation American with Korean and Japanese roots. Her mother and grandmother are proud naturalized US citizens.

Cindy Schlosser, LSW, MSW

She, Her, Ella

Social Worker
Trabajadora Social

Cindy joined RMIAN as the Detention Program Social Worker in October 2018. She began her professional career as a high school Spanish and history teacher, working with youth in an alternative learning program. In 2005, Cindy volunteered full-time at the St. Mary’s Health Clinics in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN as a community health educator and interpreter. She moved to El Paso, TX, in 2006 where she volunteered and led educational border trips with Annunciation House, a shelter for recently arrived migrants. From 2009-2015, she served as the Social Services Coordinator and legal assistant at the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project in Arizona. During her time at the Florence Project, she spearheaded the expansion of the social services program, and collaborated with community partners to establish detention visitation, letter-writing, and housing networks. She also contributed to the publication, “What if I’m picked up by ICE in Arizona?: Making a Family Plan”, a guide for immigrant parents navigating the child welfare and immigration systems. She holds an undergraduate degree in high school history and Spanish education and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Arizona State University. In addition to feeling honored to work alongside courageous and wise individuals in detention, Cindy loves climbing, cooking and baking, and having dance parties with her toddler and husband.  

Monique Sherman, Esq.

She, Her, Ella

Managing Attorney, Detention Program
Abogada Gerente del Programa de Detención

Monique is the Managing Attorney of RMIAN’s Detention Program.  Prior to joining RMIAN, Monique served for 10 years as Pro Bono Counsel at Cooley LLP, where she managed the firm’s pro bono immigration docket, and collaborated with nonprofit legal services providers and other law firms around the country to develop and support innovative service delivery methods to increase access to counsel through pro bono. In this role, Monique also consulted on litigation strategy in cases involving immigrants’ rights and authored several amicus briefs in the U.S. District Courts, U.S. Courts of Appeal, and the U.S. Supreme Court on significant issues of the day—including sanctuary jurisdictions, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and the effects of harsh immigration rules on detained individuals.  Previously, Monique served as a Child Advocate Attorney at the Defender Association of Philadelphia, representing children who had been abused and neglected in cases involving termination of parental rights, adoption, special education, and mental health. She previously worked at the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley.  Monique also has experience in landlord/tenant litigation, domestic violence advocacy, and public benefits.  Monique graduated cum laude from the Georgetown University Law Center, where she was a member of the Georgetown Immigration Law Journal. She received a BA in Political Science from Stanford University. 

Caleb Stewart, Esq.

He, Him, Él

Senior Staff Attorney, Anti-Human Trafficking Project
Abogado Senior del Proyecto Contra La Trata de Personas

Caleb joined RMIAN’s Anti-Human Trafficking Project in March of 2018 after four plus years of providing civil legal services to survivors of human trafficking with Colorado Legal Services. Prior to studying law (JD) and public administration (MPA with a certificate in nonprofit management) at the University of Washington in Seattle, he lived in Thailand for five years and traveled throughout South and Southeast Asia for another six months. While in Thailand, he taught in primary schools and coordinated community development projects with the Peace Corps and empowered local ethnic minority groups through sustainable agriculture, Montessori based education, and income-generating handicraft projects as the Managing Director of the Khom Loy Development Foundation. He is conversant in Thai, Lao, and Spanish and speaks pieces of a several other languages.

Yazmin Torres

She, Her, Ella

Senior Paralegal, Children’s Program
Paralegal Senior del Programa Infantil
 

Yazmin Torres graduated from the University of Denver in 2012 with a Bachelor's degree in International Business and minors in Spanish and International Studies. While at DU, she was a prestigious Daniels Scholar and Dell Scholar. Prior to working at RMIAN, Yazmin worked at the immigration law firm of Elkind Alterman Harston, PC. The first in her family to graduate from college, Yazmin's empathy and understanding for immigrants comes from her family's journey. Her excellent written and oral skills in Spanish are an asset for many of RMIAN's clients. Yazmin plans to attend law school in the future to become an immigration attorney so that she can help immigrants obtain lawful status to pursue their dreams, just as her family once was given the opportunity.

Born to Guatemalan immigrant parents, Katherine grew up seeing the lack of resources and injustices of being a part of an underserved community. Her experiences led her to pursue a career in advocacy as a graduate social worker from Metropolitan State University of Denver. Katherine had the opportunity to complete field placements assisting first-generation college students at MSU Denver through the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) and as a social worker next to guardian ad litem for the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center. Her passion in working with the immigrant community encompasses ensuring their understanding of their rights and resources as well as access to mental health services. Katherine looks forward to the knowledge and experiences gained through RMIAN and is thrilled to work next to passionate staff members specific to the topic of immigration.

Jennifer Vallejo

She, Her, Ella

Receptionist
Recepcionista

Jennifer graduated from Regis University in May of 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Criminal Justice with a minor in Spanish. During her time at Regis she conducted extensive research and ethnographic studies of the marginalized communities in Denver, specifically with the LGBTQIA and BIPOC communities. As a first-generation Latina, Jennifer understands the challenges her community encounters and aims to be an advocate. Her passion has always been to educate herself through cultural sensitivity, by being open minded of other people's beliefs, cultures, and background. She believes everyone deserves basic human rights and having legal aid regardless of status is a human right. Jennifer's passion for advocacy led her to join RMIAN in March of 2024, where she strives to continue her advocacy by providing resources and aid to families and children facing the immigration system. During her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her dogs, going on walks, and exploring new places in Colorado.

Jaclyn grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and International Studies: Global Health and the Environment and earned her law degree from the University of Wyoming College of Law in Laramie. Jaclyn is passionate about advocating for trauma-informed practices in the legal system and ending mass incarceration. She is licensed to practice law in New Mexico and began her legal career as a public defender in Santa Fe. Jaclyn speaks Spanish and English.