Strengthening Our Work: Jael Mejia Joins CIP as Director of Legal and Civic Engagement
The Center for Immigrant Progress (CIP) is proud to announce the appointment of Jael Mejia as our new Director of Legal and Civic Engagement.
Waukegan, IL – Jael is an accomplished immigration legal professional and organizational leader with over a decade of experience in immigration law, program development, and community advocacy. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from National Louis University, an ABA-approved Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies, and has extensive expertise in immigration law practice as a U.S. Department of Justice Accredited Representative.
Jael began her nonprofit career at Mano a Mano Family Resource Center, where she built an Immigration Legal Services Program that continues to thrive. She most recently served as Paralegal Manager and Lead Trial Paralegal at Zuma Law LLC, where she oversaw complex asylum and humanitarian cases, trained staff, optimized case workflows, and ensured the highest standards of legal service delivery.
“As an immigrant myself, I am deeply committed to equity, empowerment, and civic engagement,” said Mejia. “I believe in building sustainable legal and civic programs that not only serve immediate needs but also create lasting systems change for immigrant communities. I am honored to join CIP in advancing this vital mission.”
Carmen Patlan, Executive Director of CIP, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Jael to our leadership team. Her deep legal expertise, lived experience, and ambitious vision align beautifully with CIP’s bold mission. At CIP, our mission is to empower immigrant families through legal services, civic engagement, and community-led solutions. Jael’s talents will further strengthen our impact and expand our ability to ensure immigrant families can thrive with dignity and opportunity.”
In her new role, Jael will oversee CIP’s immigration legal services and civic engagement programming, leading a talented team of attorneys, accredited representatives, and advocates to expand access to justice, strengthen civic participation, and uplift immigrant families. For any legal or civic engagement inquiries, please contact Jael at jmejia@centerforimmigrantprogress.org
About Center for Immigrant Progress
The Center for Immigrant Progress (CIP) empowers immigrant families through high-quality legal services, civic engagement, and community-driven solutions. Based in Lake County, Illinois, CIP works to build lasting progress rooted in dignity, equity, and opportunity for all.
For more information, please contact Carmen Patlan, Executive Director (cpatlan@centerforimmigrantprogress.org).
