​About.

We are dedicated to improving the legal representation of indigent non-citizens by providing training, consultations, and expert immigration advice to appointed counsel on Long Island.
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Our Goal

Our goal is to support appointed counsel in helping his/her non-citizen clients to make informed choices regarding any adverse immigration consequences which may arise from a Criminal or Family Court proceeding.    
 
In 2010, the Supreme Court announced in Padilla v. Kentucky, 130 S. Ct. 1473 (2010), that non-citizens facing criminal charges are entitled under the Sixth Amendment’s right to counsel provision to informed, accurate advice and assistance from counsel in avoiding the potential negative immigration consequences of any guilty plea.  However this mandate can prove challenging because immigration laws are in constant flux, are complex and often subject to misinterpretation.  Immigration consequences stemming from even minor criminal charges like disorderly conduct or petit larceny can be serious and certain, including mandatory detention and removal.  Similarly, dispositions in Family Court can result in adverse immigration consequences affecting life-altering decisions such as custody, visitation, adoption and termination of parental rights.  The LIRIAC can help assigned counsel to navigate these case complexities with expert analysis and legal advice. 

Our Team

Jackeline Saavedra-Arizaga
Padilla Attorney

Jackeline Saavedra-Arizaga is a Padilla Attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County.  Prior to joining Legal Aid, Jackeline was an immigration attorney at Empire Justice Center and Make the Road New York where she represented low income clients in affirmative and defensive immigration cases.  As a law student, Jackeline was a legal fellow at SEPA Mujer, providing legal advocacy to members of the Latina community on Long Island suffering from domestic violence and other gender-based crimes.  In 2012, Jackeline was recognized as one of the 40 under 40 Latino Rising Stars by the Hispanic Coalition, New York.  Jackeline is fluent in Spanish and she received a B.A. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
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Diana Castrellon
Paralegal

Diana Castrellon has over 10 years of paralegal experience. Having worked in several private firms dealing with tax law, personal injury defense, social security disability and worker’s compensation, she has dealt with a diverse range of clients and attorneys. Her most rewarding experience to date is having worked closely with clients as well as attorneys and students in the clinic at Touro Law Center. Her experience there was invaluable as it educated her in the importance of helping those clients who would not be able to otherwise afford an attorney. While at Touro, Diana managed the clinic’s case management system and trained students as well as professors and staff on usage and the importance of electronic record keeping. In addition to Paralegal work, Diana was the Spanish interpreter and document translator for the Bankruptcy Clinic, Mortgage Foreclosure Clinic, Family Law Clinic, Elder Law Clinic and the Senior Citizen’s Law Program. She also worked closely with the Immigration Clinic attorneys to help children stay safely in the country by seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.

Elizabeth L. Tonne-Daims
Padilla Attorney

 Elizabeth L. Tonne-Daims is a 2007 graduate of Binghamton University where she studied Spanish and International Affairs, and a 2013 alumna  of Pace Law School.  After graduating law school, Elizabeth was competitively selected for a one year post-graduate fellowship program hosted by Pace Law School where she represented low-income non-citizens in obtaining visas and green cards as well as providing direct representation in removal proceedings. Subsequently, she joined private practice where she specialized in removal defense as well as petitioning for visas, legal permanent residency, and citizenship. She has been at the LIRIAC since November 2017 focusing exclusively on the intersection of criminal and immigration law.   

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Connie Calix
Paralegal
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Connie Calix is a 2014 graduate from the State University of New York at Delhi, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Technology Management. Before joining LIRIAC, Connie worked for the Nassau County Legal Aid Society, first as a receptionist and then as a District Court /Appeals/Parole Secretary, working closely with her supervisors and attorneys. In addition to her secretarial responsibilities, Connie became the weekend arraignment paralegal for the Nassau County Legal Aid Society, where she joined arraignment attorneys in court, interviewed the arrestees, and gathered information from court documents to assist in bail arguments. She enjoys these responsibilities and understands the importance of working with underserved communities. Connie is fluent in Spanish and is excited for her future with the LIRIAC. ​