New York Legal Assistance Group Appoints Jodi Ziesemer as Policy Director, Immigration Emergency Response

NYLAG program leadership adds newly created supervisory immigration policy focused role to support rapid, expert response to shifting legal climate

NEW YORK - With rapidly changing immigration policies and practices, and increased violations of human rights under the federal administration's dragnet targeting our immigrant neighbors in New York and beyond, New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) has created a Policy Director, Immigration Emergency Response position to provide public policy leadership, effective advocacy support and legal expertise that meets the urgency and seriousness of the moment.

Seasoned immigration attorney and unit supervisor Jodi Ziesemer, previously co-director of NYLAG's Immigrant Protection Unit (IPU), has transitioned into the role. Made possible thanks to the support of UJA and the New York Community Trust, this newly created position will provide internal support and coordination across NYLAG and externally will serve as a resource for other New York City legal service and community-based providers serving immigrant New Yorkers.

"We are thankful for Jodi's incredible leadership in her prior role and have no doubt that her years of experience as an immigration paralegal, lawyer, mentor, colleague and leader will enable her to be a valuable resource to us and our partners in this unimaginable time," said NYLAG President and CEO Lisa Rivera.

In her new capacity as Policy Director, Immigration Emergency Response, Ziesemer will provide rapid, in-depth interpretation of changes to immigration policy and law, analysis of how federal policy changes intersect with and are affected by New York City and New York State laws and policies, training and guidance on best practices, and will serve as a point person and resource for people working with immigrant New Yorkers.

"I am thrilled and honored to have this opportunity to lead NYLAG's strategic response to this unprecedented moment of immense need for effective, expert legal services and support for our immigrant neighbors," said Ziesemer. "Amid this constantly evolving, complex legal and policy landscape - in which we have seen the standard practices of immigration law, civil rights and due process essentially thrown out the window - it is more critically important than ever to ensure that NYLAG and our partners are able to rapidly and successfully adapt to overcome the myriad new challenges we are now forced to navigate along the path toward justice. I look forward to continuing to help lead the fight for immigrant justice in this new specialized role."

Melissa Chua, who previously served as co-director of NYLAG's Immigrant Protection Unit alongside Ziesemer, will continue to lead the extraordinary team of IPU advocates as director.

"An expert litigator, leader, and innovator, Melissa will continue to be a resource to all of us and to the immigrant justice community as director of our Immigrant Protection Unit, for which we are immensely grateful," said Rivera.

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