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.
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
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Michelle Caldera-Kopf
Padilla Attorney Michelle Caldera-Kopf is the Padilla Attorney for the Suffolk County 18(b) Panel. Michelle has practiced, taught, and advised clients, attorneys, and criminal defenders on immigration issues for many years. Most recently Michelle served as the Managing Attorney for the Long Island Office of the Safe Passage Project, assisting young immigrants facing deportation in family and immigration courts. Michelle has practiced immigration law at the New York Association for New Americans and the Empire Justice Center, taught immigration at the Touro Law Center and the University of Connecticut School of Law, and advised criminal defenders in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Michelle has presented numerous CLEs on topics including the practice of immigration law and protecting immigrant criminal defendants from onerous negative consequences of contact with the criminal legal system.
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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.
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Areli Bonilla Paralegal Areli Bonilla has a solid background in immigration law working closely with immigrant communities. She brings valuable experience from her previous paralegal position at a private immigration law firm. There, she played a crucial role in preparing immigration forms, Family Court petitions, and court filings. Her bilingual skills in Spanish and English were an asset, as she frequently served as an interpreter to assist clients with the immigration cases.
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