• chair@ga-al.com

Committees

The Georgia-Alabama Chapter’s committees provide members with opportunities to engage, collaborate, and contribute to the advancement of the immigration law community. Explore the committees below to learn about their focus areas, leadership, and ways to get involved.

INTERNAL MEMBER SUPPORT COMMITTEE

Member wellness, DEI initiatives, networking, mentoring, and pro bono support.

Email

MemberSupport@ga-al.com

Chair(s) & Co-Chair(s)
  • Helen Vargas-Crebas (Chair)
  • Tracie Morgan (Co-Chair)
Members
  • Jessica Palumbo
  • Matt Ohm
  • Lucy Lu
  • Amy Myers
  • Barbara Kihumbe
  • Kamala Sessoms 
Committee Roles
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Promote an inclusive environment that respects and values diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
  • Pro Bono: Promote and coordinate pro bono efforts to assist those in need of legal services.
  • Social/Networking/Mentoring: Facilitate networking opportunities, social events, and mentoring programs to foster professional growth and community building
  • Wellness: Promote the well-being of our members through initiatives that support mental, emotional, and physical health.

Community engagement, advocacy initiatives, citizenship programs, and public outreach.

Email
Chair(s) & Co-Chair(s)
  • Nicole Weitnauer (Chair)
  • Asiyah Sarwari (Citizenship Day Chair)
  • Jessie Calmes (NDA Chair)
  • Joanna Delfunt (DMV – GA Chair)
  • Amy Myers (DMV – AL Chair)
  • Helen Vargas-Crebas (Chair)
  • Tracie Morgan (Co-Chair)
Members
  • Sultana Madhubi
  • Taylor Beaver
  • Justin William Chaney
  • Lucy Lu
  • Kendall Arnols 
Committee Roles
  • Advocacy/Media: Engage in advocacy efforts and media outreach to raise awareness about immigration issues – get emails from National Outreach and echo messaging.
  • Citizenship Day: Organize event in November or December to assist eligible individuals with the naturalization process for free.
  • National Day of Action: Travel to Washington, DC in March 2025 to participate in nationwide initiatives to advocate for fair and just immigration policies.
Community Outreach
  • Build relationships with community organizations and leaders to support and educate the public.
  • Serve as a liaison with the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
  • Serve as a liaison with the Social Security office in Georgia.
  • Serve as a liaison with the Alabama Department of Driver Services.
  • Serve as a liaison with the Social Security office in Alabama.

New member integration, mentorship, networking, and professional development opportunities.

Email
Chair(s) & Co-Chair(s)
  • Sultana Madhubi (Chair)
  • Jocelyn Calvillo (Co-Chair)
Members
  • Ashley Deadwyler Heuman
  • Jorge Gavilanes
  • Gerardo Briceno 
Committee Roles
  • Support the integration of new members (individuals who have been a member for fewer than three years) and law students within our chapter by organizing mentorship opportunities, happy hours, and dinners.
  • Create Mentorship opportunities for newer members, possibly creating a Mentorship Program that more experienced members can join.

USCIS liaison, stakeholder engagement, policy updates, and member advocacy.

Email
Chair(s) & Co-Chair(s)
  • Beth Persky (Chair – Georgia)
  • Brian Bogdany (Chair – Alabama)
  • Sam Radin (Co-Chair)
Members
  • Leslie Diaz
  • Kendall Arnold
  • Jorge Gavilanes
  • William Patrick Adams
  • Monar Ead
  • Lucy Lu
  • Folahan Ayeni
  • Amy Myers
Committee Roles
  • If possible, re-establish open lines of communication between AILA members and USCIS officials.
  • If possible, re-establish quarterly liaison meetings, soliciting chapter member questions in advance, and distributing meeting notes to chapter membership (with USCIS approval).
  • Address Chapter concerns with USCIS.
  • Communicate USCIS news to the Chapter such as office closings, new procedures, new policies, updates, etc.
  • Facilitate having USCIS officials as guests at our year end Chapter Luncheon and/or Chapter Conference.
  • Collaborate with the Montgomery USCIS Liaison Committee to organize mandamus clinics and build chapter mandamus resource bank.
  • Report on your activities to the Executive Committee on a monthly basis (done by committee chairs).

Immigration court liaison, stakeholder communication, procedural updates, and member support.

Email
Chair(s) & Co-Chair(s)
  • Matt Boles (Chair)
  • Jessie Calmes (EOIR Bootcamp Co-Chair)
  • Josh McCall (EOIR Bootcamp Co-Chair)
  • Johanna Cochran (EOIR Bootcamp Co-Chair)
  • Helen Vargas-Crebas (EOIR Bootcamp Co-Chair)
  • Amy Myers (EOIR Bootcamp Co-Chair)
Members
  • Jessica Palumbo
  • Courtney Han
  • Eddie Lopez Lugo
  • Folahan Ayeni
Committee Roles
  • Ethics/Unauthorized Practice of Law: Address and combat the unauthorized practice of law to protect the community.
  • Maintain open lines of communication between AILA members and Atlanta and Stewart EOIR administration.
  • Maintain open lines of communication between AILA members and Atlanta and Stewart OPLA administration.
  • Coordinate semi-annual EOIR stakeholder meetings, soliciting chapter member questions in advance, and distributing meeting notes to chapter membership (with EOIR approval).
  • Provide notice to the chapter of any closures or changes to regular court procedures.
  • Provide notice to the chapter of any changes to OPLA’s procedures.
  • Report any pattern of judicial misconduct to the ACIJ as requested.
  • Report on your activities to the Executive Committee on a monthly basis (done by committee chairs).

ICE/ERO liaison, detention and enforcement updates, and member communication support.

Email
Chair(s) & Co-Chair(s)
  • Shirley Zambrano (Chair)
  • Rebeca Salmon (Co-Chair)
Members
  • Lucy Lu
  • Eddie Lopez Lugo
  • Lyanette Diaz-Ortega
  • William Patrick Adams
  • Matt Boles
  • Kamala Sessoms
Committee Roles
  • Maintain open lines of communication between chapter members and Atlanta ERO officials.
  • Serve as a liaison between ERO and chapter members. Provide notice to the chapter of any changes to ERO’s procedures.  Request and provide updated contact information and ERO docket breakdown to chapter members. Report on your activities to the ICE Committee on a monthly basis.
  • Request and provide updated contact information and ERO docket breakdown to chapter members.
  • Report on your activities to the Executive Committee on a monthly basis (done by committee chairs).

CBP liaison, policy updates, stakeholder engagement, and airport operations outreach.

Email
Chair(s) & Co-Chair(s)
  • Ian R Macdonald (Chair)
Members
  • Beth Persky
  • Matt Ohm
  • Sultana Madhubi
  • William Patrick Adams
  • Jameel Manji
  • Monar Ead
  • Barbara Kihumba
Committee Roles
  • Maintain open lines of communication between AILA members and Atlanta CBP officials through quarterly liaison meetings.
  • Maintain good relationship with CBP through quarterly liaison meetings.
  • Provide notice to the chapter changes in CBP policies or procedures.
  • Coordinate stakeholder meetings between the committee and CBP.
  • Share new procedures and policies with the Chapter.
  • Arrange for an annual CBP Airport tour. 
  • Facilitate the CBP officials as guests to one of our Chapter Luncheons, if possible. 
  • Report on your activities to the Executive Committee on a monthly basis (done by committee chairs).

Annual conference planning, educational programming, sponsorships, and event coordination.

Email
Chair(s) & Co-Chair(s)
  • Adriana Heffley (Chair)
Members
  • Dev Patel
  • Helen Vargas-Crebas
  • Jake Campbell
  • Ashley Deadwyler Heuman
  • Sultana Madhubi
  • Taylor Beaver
  • Courtney Han
  • Amy Barber
  • Maria Rodriguez
  • Courtney Han
  • Sam Radin
  • Amy Barber
  • Zuhra Aziz
  • Claire Gildard
  • Jake Campbell
  • Binh Nguyen
Committee Roles
  • Organize the 2026 in-person chapter conference (the conference is expected to take place on February 17, 2026 at the Emory Conference Center – date and time will be confirmed shortly).
  • Identify and reserve venue, catering, and vendors.
  • Solicit sponsor support.
  • Create interesting and innovative programming.
  • Identify and invite speakers.
  • Coordinate speaker written materials and presentation schedules.
  • Draft invitation flyers and programs.
  • Coordinate CLE credits between the GA and AL state bars and conference attendees.
  • Market the conference.

INTERNAL MEMBER SUPPORT COMMITTEE

Email: MemberSupport@ga-al.com

Chair(s) & Co-Chair(s):

  • Helen Vargas-Crebas (Chair)
  • Tracie Morgan (Co-Chair)

 

Members

  • Jessica Palumbo
  • Matt Ohm
  • Lucy Lu
  • Amy Myers
  • Barbara Kihumbe
  • Kamala Sessoms 

 

Committee Roles

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Promote an inclusive environment that respects and values diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
  • Pro Bono: Promote and coordinate pro bono efforts to assist those in need of legal services.
  • Social/Networking/Mentoring: Facilitate networking opportunities, social events, and mentoring programs to foster professional growth and community building
  • Wellness: Promote the well-being of our members through initiatives that support mental, emotional, and physical health.
  •  

OUTREACH COMMITTEE

Chair(s) & Co-Chair(s):

  • Nicole Weitnauer (Chair)
  • Asiyah Sarwari (Citizenship Day Chair)
  • Jessie Calmes (NDA Chair)
  • Joanna Delfunt (DMV – GA Chair)
  • Amy Myers (DMV – AL Chair)

Committee Roles

  • Advocacy/Media: Engage in advocacy efforts and media outreach to raise awareness about immigration issues – get emails from National Outreach and echo messaging
  • Citizenship Day: Organize event in November or December to assist eligible individuals with the naturalization process for free.
  • National Day of Action: Travel to Washington, DC in March 2025 to participate in nationwide initiatives to advocate for fair and just immigration policies
  • Community Outreach: Build relationships with community organizations and leaders to support and educate the public.
    • Serve as a liaison with the Georgia Department of Driver Services
    • Serve as a liaison with the Social Security office in Georgia
    • Serve as a liaison with the Alabama Department of Driver Services
    • Serve as a liaison with the Social Security office in Alabama
  • (Optional) Military Assistance Program (MAP): Act as a resource for pro bono assistance and JAG attorney training for the military bases in our community. Organize the annual Fort Stewart Immigration Fair in Spring 2025.  Work with AILA National MAP committee. Share MAP pro bono opportunities with chapter members.
  • (Optional) 5th Grade Essay Contest: Coordinate essay contest in March 2025 for local 5th graders on current immigration issues. Local winner will be asked to read essay at our annual luncheon and will also be submitted for a national award. AILA National has additional information.
  • Report on your activities to the Executive Committee on a monthly basis (done by committee chairs)

Email: Outreach@ga-al.com

NEW MEMBER DIVISION COMMITTEE

Chair(s) & Co-Chair(s):

  • Sultana Madhubi (Chair)
  • Jocelyn Calvillo (Co-Chair)

 

Committee Roles

  • Support the integration of new members (individuals who have been a member for fewer than three years) and law students within our chapter by organizing mentorship opportunities, happy hours, and dinners.
  • Create Mentorship opportunities for newer members, possibly creating a Mentorship Program that more experienced members can join

Email:

USCIS LIAISON COMMITTEE (ATLANTA & MONTGOMERY)

Chair(s) & Co-Chair(s):

  • Beth Persky (Chair – Georgia)
  • Brian Bogdany (Chair – Alabama)
  • Sam Radin (Co-Chair)

Committee Roles

  • If possible, re-establish open lines of communication between AILA members and USCIS officials.
  • If possible, re-establish quarterly liaison meetings, soliciting chapter member questions in advance, and distributing meeting notes to chapter membership (with USCIS approval)
  • Address Chapter concerns with USCIS
  • Communicate USCIS news to the Chapter such as office closings, new procedures, new policies, updates, etc.
  • Facilitate having USCIS officials as guests at our year end Chapter Luncheon and/or Chapter Conference
  • Collaborate with the Montgomery USCIS Liaison Committee to organize mandamus clinics and build chapter mandamus resource bank
  • Report on your activities to the Executive Committee on a monthly basis (done by committee chairs)

Email: uscis-atl@ga-al.com