Nicole Mejía (she, her) - Co-Director & Attorney Hablo Español
Nicole T.S. Mejía (Cortes) is a Co-Director and attorney at the Migrant and Immigrant Community Action (MICA) Project. She founded the organization with a law school classmate, Jessica Mayo. Nicole is fluent in Spanish and works with clients on a wide variety of immigration law matters including deportation defense, asylum, and other humanitarian relief. She heads the MICA Project’s outreach efforts to the Latino community in the form of educational presentations and workshops.
Nicole graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in May 2012 with a Masters of Social Work and her J.D. She has experience working with community partners, coalition building, community outreach, and program coordination and evaluation. She is experienced at addressing the non-legal needs of her clients in the context of immigration law. Nicole is passionate about challenging and dismantling systems of oppression and working alongside her clients in their journeys towards justice.
Nicole graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in May 2012 with a Masters of Social Work and her J.D. She has experience working with community partners, coalition building, community outreach, and program coordination and evaluation. She is experienced at addressing the non-legal needs of her clients in the context of immigration law. Nicole is passionate about challenging and dismantling systems of oppression and working alongside her clients in their journeys towards justice.
Jessica Mayo (she, her) - Co-Director & Attorney
Jessica Mayo co-founded the Migrant and Immigrant Community Action (MICA) Project with a law school classmate, Nicole Cortés. Jessica works with clients from across the globe, including Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Jessica graduated first in her class from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis in May 2012 with her J.D. She is licensed to practice law in Missouri. A combination of privileges led to Jessica’s graduation from WashU Law, and she now seeks to utilize her law degree to advance justice for those who lack the privileges that led to her success.
Carolina Ball (she, her) - Case Manager Hablo Español
Carolina is a bilingual case manager for the Client Support Services department at the MICA Project. She was born in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico and grew up in Hidalgo, Texas. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a master’s degree in social work. She is fluent in English and Spanish. Her volunteer experiences abroad and community service experiences locally have influenced her way of life, and she is dedicated to serving others through her professional career. Carolina hopes to be a voice for the migrant and immigrant community and help them overcome the many barriers they may be facing by helping them find and access resources that allow them to meet their needs.
Ivonne Frechette (she, her) - D.O.J. Accredited Representative Hablo Español
Ivonne was born in El Paso, TX right across the border from Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico and grew up living in both cities. She graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso and obtained her degree in Political Science with a minor in General Business. As a first generation American seeing the struggles of her own family immigrating to the United States it has provided Ivonne with a passion for helping and advocating for immigrant communities. Ivonne worked as an Accredited Representative in El Paso, TX in matters such as DACA, naturalization, family petitions, and VAWA. Ivonne is very excited to join the MICA Project and help make a difference in client’s lives and hopes to improve the lives of those she serves.
Remi Gavlick (she, her) - Staff Attorney
Remi is an attorney with the MICA Project. After studying fashion merchandising and Spanish at Missouri State University and working in retail, she realized that working in immigration law would allow her to advocate for immigrants and help them navigate a confusing immigration system. She graduated from University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law in 2020 and is licensed to practice law in Missouri and Illinois. She hopes to improve her communication skills in Spanish to better relate to her clients and help them feel safe and welcome in our community.
Patrick Helling (he, him) - Director of Legal Services Hablo Español
Patrick Helling is an attorney with the MICA Project’s Children’s Immigration Advocacy Program. He started this career path in 2010 when he joined the Peace Corps as a Youth Development Volunteer in Honduras. Patrick has experience in both immigration and juvenile law. He spent several years in Arizona at the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project representing detained and released unaccompanied minors facing deportation. Patrick also worked at the Missouri Children’s Division where he advocated to help children in foster care find a safe home. Patrick is thrilled to have the opportunity to be working at the MICA Project. He hopes that he can use his experience and this opportunity to help make a more just and equitable world.
Mariana Leon (she, her) - Director of Administration Hablo Español
Mariana attended Saint Louis University and earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice with a minor in Social Work and concentration in Treatment and Rehabilitation. As a product of immigrants and an immigrant herself, Mariana is passionate about helping others and advocating for the immigrant community. With her background in criminal justice and the court system, Mariana is excited to bring her skills to the MICA Project.
Stephen Lightle (he, him) - D.O.J. Accredited Representative Hablo Español
Stephen Lightle is fluent in Spanish after teaching and learning the language in the United States, Mexico, and Spain. He attended Central Missouri State University and Saint Louis University for his B.A. and M.A., respectively, and also received a Master's from the University of Alcalá de Henares in Spain. He has volunteered with the CARA Family Detention Pro Bono Project to assist asylum-seeking women and children being detained near the U.S. border. He has also taught Spanish at SLU and has experience working with the immigrant community in a legal context. In September of 2019, Stephen became an Accredited Representative, allowing him to represent MICA Project clients in matters such as naturalization, DACA, and family petitions. He also carries out Spanish interpretation and translation for MICA's clients, oversees donations to the organization, and assists clients in the composition of their affidavits.
Roberto Munive (he, him) - D.O.J. Accredited Representative Hablo Español
Roberto was born in Tlaxcala, Mexico and moved to St. Louis, Missouri when he was around 6 years old. He graduated from Saint Louis University and earned his bachelor's degree in Political Science. As an immigrant himself, Roberto understands the struggles and difficulties that many immigrants face when coming to the United States. It has provided him with a passion to help and support immigrant communities.
Roberto joins the MICA project to work towards making a positive change in other's lives.
Carlos Ruiz Martinez (he, him) - Director of Mission Integration & Strategy Hablo Español
Carlos Ruiz Martinez is Director of Client Support Services at the MICA Project. He was born in Mexico, and grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. Carlos has previous professional experiences as a High School teacher in Denver, Colorado, as well as in immigrant services in St. Louis. He holds a Master of Arts in American Studies from Saint Louis University and is currently completing a PhD in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Iowa. Through his work at the MICA Project, Carlos hopes to do his part to ensure that St. Louis is a welcoming community for new immigrants.
Abdul Saboor Amin (he, him) - Legal Assistant Coordinator زه په پښتو خبرې کوم
Abdul Saboor Amin is working as Legal Assistant Coordinator with Migrant and Immigrant Community Action Project (MICA Project). He can speak many languages and is well versed in many dialects. He is also an active volunteer for his Afghan Cultural Community in Saint Louis, USA.
Amin became a part of MICA Project in 2022. Many years ago, he owned a Mobile and Computer Accessories business in Afghanistan. Then he started his job career with Ministry of Interior Affairs in 2011 at Kabul, Afghanistan.
Amin came to Saint Louis with his family as an Immigrant in 2015. He is a respected, kind, compassionate, hospitable, and loving person and has rendered tireless service day and night for his community, especially for the new Afghan arrivals from Sep 2021 up to now. Amin is excited to join the MICA project as a Legal Assistant Coordinator and is willing to work for the best quality and improvement of life of immigrant and migrant communities.
Amin became a part of MICA Project in 2022. Many years ago, he owned a Mobile and Computer Accessories business in Afghanistan. Then he started his job career with Ministry of Interior Affairs in 2011 at Kabul, Afghanistan.
Amin came to Saint Louis with his family as an Immigrant in 2015. He is a respected, kind, compassionate, hospitable, and loving person and has rendered tireless service day and night for his community, especially for the new Afghan arrivals from Sep 2021 up to now. Amin is excited to join the MICA project as a Legal Assistant Coordinator and is willing to work for the best quality and improvement of life of immigrant and migrant communities.
Carol Vizzier (she, her) - Director of Operations
With a background in law school and non-profit administration, as well as pro bono coordination in both non-profit and law firm settings, Carol hopes to apply these skills to the day-to-day operations at MICA and to expanding opportunities for MICA volunteers, particularly pro bono attorneys. She holds a B.A. in English from Haverford College and a J.D. from Cornell Law School with a certificate in Public Law. She has been a fan of the MICA project since its inception and is delighted to join the organization.
With a background in law school and non-profit administration, as well as pro bono coordination in both non-profit and law firm settings, Carol hopes to apply these skills to the day-to-day operations at MICA and to expanding opportunities for MICA volunteers, particularly pro bono attorneys. She holds a B.A. in English from Haverford College and a J.D. from Cornell Law School with a certificate in Public Law. She has been a fan of the MICA project since its inception and is delighted to join the organization.
Samuel Alejandro Sketers (he, him) - Staff attorney and IJC Fellow Hablo Español
Samuel is an attorney and IJC Fellow working for the MICA Project. He was born in Kansas City which is also where he grew up and attended school. He has a B.A. in Economics as well as a Juris Doctorate from UMKC. Samuel is also professionally fluent both Spanish and Italian. In his free time, Samuel enjoys listening to music, playing soccer, travelling and learning about the world more broadly. As he carries out the MICA Project's mission, Samuel's ambition is to foster a more welcoming and inviting attitude towards those seeking refuge in the United States.
Samuel is an attorney and IJC Fellow working for the MICA Project. He was born in Kansas City which is also where he grew up and attended school. He has a B.A. in Economics as well as a Juris Doctorate from UMKC. Samuel is also professionally fluent both Spanish and Italian. In his free time, Samuel enjoys listening to music, playing soccer, travelling and learning about the world more broadly. As he carries out the MICA Project's mission, Samuel's ambition is to foster a more welcoming and inviting attitude towards those seeking refuge in the United States.
Gözdenur Ur (she, her) – Immigration Justice Corps Fellow – Türkçe
Gozdenur is an attorney and joined the MICA Project as an Immigration Justice Corps Fellow. Gozdenur holds a Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) from Marmara University and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from William and Mary University. She was born in Türkiye and migrated to the U.S. Her personal experience fuels a passion for helping other immigrants navigate these often overwhelming legal hurdles.
Gozdenur is an attorney and joined the MICA Project as an Immigration Justice Corps Fellow. Gozdenur holds a Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) from Marmara University and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from William and Mary University. She was born in Türkiye and migrated to the U.S. Her personal experience fuels a passion for helping other immigrants navigate these often overwhelming legal hurdles.
Mirka Estrada (she, her) – Grants and Compliance Manager Hablo Español
Mirka Estrada is a Grants and Compliance Manager with the MICA Project. After graduating from Wellesley College with her degrees in Sociology and Education, Mirka made the move to St. Louis to join the City of St. Louis - Community Development Administration as a Community Development Specialist. There she honed her project management and grants management skills and sought to better understand the unique challenges and opportunities that nonprofits face to remove systemic barriers to justice. She is excited to help support the incredible work that MICA Project staff undertake every day by advancing MICA Project's development and operation needs.
Mirka Estrada is a Grants and Compliance Manager with the MICA Project. After graduating from Wellesley College with her degrees in Sociology and Education, Mirka made the move to St. Louis to join the City of St. Louis - Community Development Administration as a Community Development Specialist. There she honed her project management and grants management skills and sought to better understand the unique challenges and opportunities that nonprofits face to remove systemic barriers to justice. She is excited to help support the incredible work that MICA Project staff undertake every day by advancing MICA Project's development and operation needs.
Dennisse Morataya (she, her) – Paralegal/Accredited Representative Hablo Español
Dennisse Morataya was born in El Salvador, San Salvador, and grew up in Berlin, Usulután. She emigrated to the United States in 2016 when she was 18 years old. As an immigrant herself, she understands the barriers that the community faces in both legal and social contexts. This understanding inspired her to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice and to work for the MICA Project, the organization that supported and guided her during her immigration case. Since arriving in the United States, she has dedicated herself to learning the language, recognizing its importance for her education and for helping others. During her college years, she volunteered with community organizations aimed at assisting the immigrant community in connecting with social resources. She is passionate about helping others.
Dennisse Morataya was born in El Salvador, San Salvador, and grew up in Berlin, Usulután. She emigrated to the United States in 2016 when she was 18 years old. As an immigrant herself, she understands the barriers that the community faces in both legal and social contexts. This understanding inspired her to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice and to work for the MICA Project, the organization that supported and guided her during her immigration case. Since arriving in the United States, she has dedicated herself to learning the language, recognizing its importance for her education and for helping others. During her college years, she volunteered with community organizations aimed at assisting the immigrant community in connecting with social resources. She is passionate about helping others.