Just Neighbors is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to serving and supporting the immigrant community of Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. We foster mutual understanding between immigrants and the larger community in which they live.
Mission
Vision
All immigrants in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia are able to live with dignity and full membership in the community.
History of & Dedication to Providing Legal Assistance
Just Neighbors was founded in 1996 by pastors and attorneys of the United Methodist Church to develop a practical response to the legal challenges that low-income immigrants face in the United States. The organization set out to provide accurate and reliable information and services to the immigrant community. The founders of Just Neighbors recognized the need to assist immigrants of all faiths and nationalities and to treat immigrants with compassion and hospitality.
In 1996, Just Neighbors opened the doors of its main office in Falls Church, Virginia. Two years later, a second office in Herndon, Virginia, was established to provide immigration legal services to the growing immigrant population in western Fairfax County, Loudoun County, and Prince William County. In 2000, the organization moved its office to Arlington United Methodist Church and then later in September 2008, Just Neighbors moved its location in Falls Church. In 2017, Just Neighbors moved into its current office in Annandale, Virginia.
In 2019, Just Neighbors began providing legal services in some rural areas of Virginia including the Eastern Shore, Harrisonburg, Winchester, Waynesboro, Lynchburg, and Warrenton. In 2020, Just Neighbors merged with DC/MD Justice For Our Neighbors and now also serves Washington DC and Maryland.
Since its inception, Just Neighbors has partnered with other nonprofit organizations, community volunteers, local faith-based groups, and pro bono lawyers that provide services to immigrants. Through its direct and collaborative efforts, Just Neighbors has helped to empower clients and educate the community about current immigration laws and policies.
Staff
Tori Andrea Babington
MANAGING ATTORNEY - RURAL PROGRAMS
Tori has been a nonprofit immigration attorney since she graduated from law school in 2009. Prior to Just Neighbors, she was the Director of Legal Services at Northern Virginia Family Service. Tori has represented clients in all forms of humanitarian and family-based immigration cases, as well as defending them against removal in immigration court. She measures her career by the hundreds of refugees, domestic violence survivors, reunited families, and new American citizens who have made the United States their home with her assistance. Tori attended Sarah Lawrence College and Georgetown Law, where she was a Public Interest Law Scholar and received a certificate in Refugees and Humanitarian Emergencies. She is fluent in English and Spanish. Tori was born in Winchester, VA and currently lives with her family in Fauquier County.
Farah Ashurova
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
Farah first joined Just Neighbors in May 2019 as an intern, and stayed until October 2019. She then joined Just Neighbors staff in August 2020 to perform data analysis. Farah graduated from George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government with a Master's Degree in Public Administration. Originally from Tajikistan and an immigrant herself, Farah truly appreciates the work that Just Neighbors does to support immigrants and is happy to be a part of team and contribute to their work.
Stephanie Barnes
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Stephanie received her undergraduate degree from the University of Mary Washington and her master’s degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School. As Operations Director, her main job is to keep Just Neighbors running by doing the necessary “behind the scenes” work so that the attorneys can focus on helping as clients. Because of her experience living in Mexico, she enjoys being able to use Spanish to help immigrants in her county. Stephanie is married and has one son, Sol, who, like his name, is the center of her universe. This is what Stephanie says about working at Just Neighbors, “The staff, volunteers and clients are what Just Neighbors unique. There is nothing more inspiring than when former clients come back to share how our work has changed their lives. I am always amazed at how people can overcome such trauma and difficulty to do wonderful things in this world.”
Julia Birk
SENIOR IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY - DC & MARYLAND
Julia earned degrees in International Studies and Spanish and then her J.D. at the University of Richmond and has dedicated her legal career to serving vulnerable populations and survivors of trauma. Julia first interned with Just Neighbors as a law student back in 2010 and then as a volunteer attorney in 2012. She served as Secretary on the Just Neighbors Board of Directors from 2015-2020 and is excited to be on staff as the DC/MD Staff Attorney. Julia is fluent in Spanish and grew up in the DMV area where she is now proud to work alongside the dedicated staff and volunteers of Just Neighbors to provide hope through immigration legal services.
Eva Marie Carney
SENIOR IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY - NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Eva has a history degree from the University of San Francisco and obtained her law degree from Stanford Law School. She has worked for the U.S. Congress, various courts, and the U.S. government, and as a partner in a private law firm in Washington, D.C. During her time in private practice, she represented clients in their humanitarian immigration cases, without charge, in cases referred by D.C.-area legal service providers Whitman Walker Health, CAIR Coalition, Catholic Charities, and Tahirih Justice Center. She is a dual citizen of the United States and the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and holds elected office as a CPN legislator. Eva is absolutely honored to be on staff at Just Neighbors to serve Just Neighbors’ courageous and hard-working clients and their families.
Sasia Coward
OFFICE AND VOLUNTEER MANAGER
Sasia graduated from Sanford Brown College with a criminal justice degree. Most recently before coming to Just Neighbors, Sasia worked at RAINN in Washington, D.C., providing short-term crisis intervention services for sexual assault survivors. She also works part-time for Doorways for Women and Families in Arlington, Virginia, as a client assistant in both the Domestic Violence & Homeless shelters. Sasia shares that seeing and hearing firsthand the trauma that some immigrant families experience to have a life with better opportunities is heart wrenching. No one should have to experience trauma just for wanting to provide better opportunities for their family.
Eric Dillon
SENIOR DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Eric joins Just Neighbors with 19 years of fundraising experience. Following more than a decade in progressive campaigns and elections, Eric has continued working with national non-profits and labor organizations to fight for a fair and just society. Born and raised in Texas, Eric enjoys being an uncle and spending time with his dog, Maeby.
“Growing up across a river from Juarez, Mexico, the stark divide of the borderland was ever-present. I’m grateful to be working with Just Neighbors for a cause that not only means a great deal to me personally, but is also the right thing to do.”
Katherine (Katie) Fourmy
Managing Attorney – Removal Defense
Katie is thrilled to join the team of dedicated advocates at Just Neighbors. She comes to the organization with specialized experience representing clients that the U.S. government is actively trying to remove from the country. She previously represented persons who were detained and found to be incompetent to represent themselves in their immigration court proceedings, as well as children who had been mistreated or left behind by a parent. Through her work in immigration law, Katie has seen the beauty and power of communities working together to support each other and advance common goals, even in the face of unspeakable circumstances. She attended the University of Arkansas and Georgetown Law, and is fluent in Spanish.
Beth Hamilton
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY - NORTHERN VIRGINIA
After seven years volunteering as an attorney for Just Neighbors, Beth Hamilton joined the northern Virginia team as a staff attorney in 2023. She enjoys working with this group of attorneys and continues to serve the amazing base of immigrant clients at Just Neighbors. Beth obtained her law degree in 2000 from the University of Pennsylvania, and worked for six years after that in the employment litigation world. She has an undergraduate degree in political science/Women Studies/Spanish from Case Western Reserve University. Beth is proficient in Spanish and works on all types of humanitarian immigration cases.
Mary Elizabeth Maffei
MANAGING ATTORNEY - LEGAL INTERNS and VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS
Mary Elizabeth graduated from Smith College with a degree in Anthropology and minor in Biology. She then went on to receive her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Mary Elizabeth started as a legal fellow with Just Neighbors before being hired as a staff attorney. Mary Elizabeth is thrilled that she gets to continue working alongside the incredibly dedicated and passionate staff and volunteers at Just Neighbors. She finds it extremely rewarding working with our clients and assisting them on their journeys.
Keila Martinez
FRONT OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR AND CLIENT ADVOCATE
Keila graduated from George Mason University with a B.A. in Human Development and Family Science. She takes much pride in being a first-generation college graduate within her family. While studying at Mason, she became an intern at Just Neighbors. As an intern, she was able to immerse herself in the multitude of tasks that it takes to run the front office. “As I reflect on why I chose to work at Just Neighbors, I can only think of my immigrant parents who paved the way for me to have opportunities like this one – giving back to families that resonate with mine. Being the daughter of Mexican and Salvadoran immigrant parents, who have experienced similar struggles to those who are seeking legal help within the organization, has only allowed me to be more compassionate and wanting to serve the community. This is why I believe I’m a perfect fit here at Just Neighbors.”
Erin McKenney
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Sarah Selim Milad
MANAGING ATTORNEY - DC & MARYLAND
Sarah went to law school with a desire to serve. After exploring various fields, she determined that immigration law would provide her the opportunity to engage in humanitarian work in a direct-services capacity. Sarah began her legal career at Justice For Our Neighbors in 2008, just after graduating from The American University, Washington College of Law. In Fall of 2009 she joined the Just Neighbors team. Sarah finds great fulfillment in supporting clients through their most difficult of times and celebrating with them when they reach the other side. She also enjoys helping legal interns and volunteer attorneys navigate the complexities of immigration law. As a Coptic Christian immigrant, she has a unique perspective on the discrimination that Christians face in the Middle East and why people seek safety and religious freedom in the United States. Sarah is a native Arabic-speaker and also dabbles in French and Spanish.
Andrew Russell
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
Andrew, originally from Nassau, Bahamas, graduated with a bachelor's degree in business from Covenant College and later earned his Master of Divinity from Redeemer Seminary. With a unique blend of business acumen and theological insight, Andrew embodies a holistic approach to social justice and community empowerment. He previously served as an Assistant Pastor of Outreach and the Arts at Grace Downtown DC. He has also worked as a Campaign Associate at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, TX, where he helped with fundraising. He brings his ministry experience of serving the marginalized and the oppressed as well as his fundraising experience from United Way. He is driven by his faith to fight for the poor, the oppressed, the immigrant, and the most vulnerable amongst us. He lives in DC with his wife and seven children.
Dominique Poirier
DIRECTOR - LEGAL SERVICES
Dominique has been at Just Neighbors since January, 2008. Dominique served as a staff attorney until July, 2014, when she took over as Director of Legal Services. Dominique also serves as one of the national Consulting Attorneys for National Justice For Our Neighbors (our parent 501(c)(3)) and travels around the country checking on our other immigration legal service provider sites. Dominique earned a B.A. in Foreign Affairs as well as a J.D. from the University of Virginia. As Director of Legal Services, Dominique makes sure Just Neighbors stays focused on humanitarian based immigration cases. Dominique is a polyglot, speaking Italian, Spanish, French on top of English. Dominique feels that her work at Just Neighbors is the most rewarding thing she’s done apart from raising her children.
Allison Rothschild
SENIOR IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY - DC & MARYLAND
Allison graduated Duke University with a degree in Political Science and obtained her law degree from Stanford Law School. During law school, Allison worked with the Stanford Immigrants’ Rights Clinic to represent clients in removal proceedings and volunteered at the border assisting asylum seekers.
“I am thrilled to join Just Neighbors and to be able to represent clients who, like all noncitizens, deserve to have a strong advocate on their side. I look forward to working alongside and learning from my passionate co-workers as I begin my legal career.”
Cristina Sproul
MANAGING ATTORNEY - NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Cristina is a graduate of Amherst College with a B.A. in Political Science and Spanish. She obtained her law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law. Cristina speaks fluent Spanish. Cristina strives to help people by educating and empowering our neighboring community. She has many reasons why she loves working at Just Neighbors, but mostly “I became a lawyer with the hope of promoting access to justice for those most affected by social injustice. Working with clients at Just Neighbors has been one of my most rewarding experiences; I wake up excited to start my day knowing that I will have the opportunity to meet strong, ambitious individuals seeking to improve their lives and their community.”
Lorena Meruvia
CASE MANAGER
Lorena provides administrative and legal case support to the Unaccompanied Children’s legal team. Lorena graduated from the College of William and Mary with a bachelor’s degree in political science. While at W&M, she studied abroad in Argentina - participating in a human rights program focused on understanding Argentine culture, politics, and human rights issues. As a Bolivian immigrant and child of immigrants, Lorena has spent her entire career advocating for the protection of human rights of different vulnerable communities facing a loss of liberty in the DMV area. She was an intern for Just Neighbors in 2019 and then went on to work as a criminal defense investigator for the D.C. Public Defender’s Office. Lorena is honored to be back at Just Neighbors to continue serving immigrant children and families in the DMV area and to continue putting her Spanish fluency to good use in service to others.
Cindy Webb
DOJ ACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVE (ACCREDITATION PENDING)
Cindy is the descendent of Quaker dairy farmers in Loudoun County where she was raised. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies at the College of William and Mary and has always enjoyed working alongside the immigrant community and their advocates. From 2006 to 2013 she worked for Catholic Charities Hogar Immigrant Services in Falls Church, where she was a Board of Immigration Appeals Accredited Representative for nearly 5 years. She moved to Winchester and got married in 2014, and there she found fascinating work at the Virginia Employment Commission conducting outreach to farmworkers in fields and orchards and inspecting their temporary housing facilities. She managed the state’s Foreign Labor Certification program (H-2A and H-2B temporary guestworker visas) for 8 years before she joined Just Neighbors. Cindy is excited to continue learning immigration law and help bring services to the Shenandoah Valley.
“Working with immigrants makes me feel grounded and reminds me of what is important in life.”
Javier Burdette
UCP (UNACOMPANIED CHILDRENS PROGRAM) JUSTICE FELLOW
Javi joined Just Neighbors as part of Immigrant Justice Corps’ UCP Justice Fellowship. He graduated from UC Berkeley School of Law in 2024. At Berkeley, Javi focused on immigrants’ rights through numerous internships and supported the formerly incarcerated by leading the Reentry Advocacy Project. Javi’s interest in immigration law was inspired by his family’s immigration to the United States from Mexico, and by his recognition of the injustice of the criminalization of immigrants. Outside of work, Javi spends his time finding new exercise challenges to take on and new dishes to cook. While his go-to form of exercise is weight training, he also enjoys running, open water swimming, and bouldering. His favorite chef is Anthony Bourdain, and he is currently cooking his way through Bourdain’s cookbook Appetites. Javi is also a movie buff, his favorite film being El Espinazo del Diablo by Guillermo del Toro. Though still early in his time with Just Neighbors, Javi is excited to make a big impact throughout the DMV alongside the rest of the amazing staff!
Irina Khanin
STAFF ATTORNEY - CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
Irina’s family immigrated to the United States in 1990 from what was then the Soviet Union. She graduated from the College of Wooster with a degree in political science and received her JD from the University of Virginia School of Law. She practiced as a GAL (Guardian Ad Litem) for children for close to 10 years in a rural community in Northern Shenandoah Valley before recently joining Just Neighbors to represent unaccompanied minors as part of the organization’s Children’s Program. Irina is excited to be able to combine her experience in child advocacy as a GAL with humanitarian immigration practice focused on children. Irina is active in her community (City of Winchester) where she serves as Chair of the Board of the Winchester Education Foundation. She has volunteered as a voter protection attorney in several elections and ran for the Virginia House of Delegates.
Hannah Schaafsma
UCP (UNACOMPANIED CHILDRENS PROGRAM) JUSTICE FELLOW
Hannah recently joined Just Neighbors staff in September 2024 as an Immigrant Justice Corp legal fellow where she will be defending unaccompanied immigrant children in their deportation proceedings for two years. Hannah graduated cum laude from Duke Law School, where she served as the Executive Director of the Duke Immigrant and Refugee Project, the Editor-in-Chief of the Duke Journal of Comparative and International Law, and an extern with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. Hannah is most passionate about defending constitutional and civil rights for all, regardless of immigration status, and she’s excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Just Neighbors team!