Who We Are

The North Carolina Immigration Law & Justice Center (NC-ILJC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing affordable legal services, education, and advocacy to help immigrants in North Carolina. We provide low-cost legal aid to qualified immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers of all faiths, backgrounds, and identities.

The NC-ILJC, formerly known as Fayetteville Justice for Our Neighbors, traces its roots back to the United Methodist’s Committe On Relief's longstanding commitment to refugees and immigrants. UMCOR, founded in 1940, has consistently championed refugee ministry In 1999, UMCOR established Justice for Our Neighbors, which has since evolved into the Immigration Law and Justice Network (ILJN). The ILJN now comprises 19 sites, housing over 200 attorneys and staff members, with numerous volunteers and more than 50 clinics, collectively serving thousands of clients each year.

NC-ILJC was established in 2019 as Fayetteville Justice for our Neighbors (JFON) with a mission to meet the needs of our neighbors in a complex and ever-changing U.S. immigration system. We are a 501(c)3 organization, and donations are tax-deductible charitable contributions.

Scott Foster, M.Div., Treasurer

I’m the senior pastor at St Andrews UMC. I initiated the immigration conversation at St. Andrews which has led the congregation to supporting this initiative in the community of Fayetteville. My interest in immigration stems from my time in the small agricultural town of Newton Grove, NC--serving a church there, beginning a Hispanic ministry at the charge, taking a mission trip to the Mexican border with Duke Divinity School in 2012, and the fact that my wife comes from Jamaica. I serve on the Fundraising Committee.

Joshua James, Board Chair

I’m a North Carolina native and have lived in Fayetteville since 2011. I teach English at Fayetteville Technical Community College. Together with other local activists, I led efforts during the winter of 2018-2019 to provide aid to migrants as they transited Fayetteville after being released from detention at the US-Mexico border. This work ended with the advent of the Migrant Protection Protocols. Since then, I’ve worked on deportation defense with Alerta Migratoria and refugee resettlement with USCRI. I joined the board in 2021 and became chair in Oct. 2023.

Jane Casto, Secretary

I’m retired from the Cumberland County Library and serve as the secretary for NC ILJ. I joined the board in 2023.

Beckie Moriello

I graduated from the UNC Chapel Hill School of Law in 2008. I’ve been significantly involved in the Latinx immigrant community in NC since 2001, mostly in the form of volunteer work and community presentations in Spanish about immigration issues. I also spent a month volunteering with asylum-seekers in the Dilley Family Detention Center in Texas and in the MPP program in Tijuana.

Mishell Gonzalez

Born in Quito- Ecuador, and raised in Queens- New York (one of the largest urban centers in the United States), I remember feeling right at-home as a new arrival (literally) in the Big Apple. Despite being “not from here,” the culturally vibrant and diverse streets of New York City never made me feel like I had to choose between being a “New Yorker” or an Ecuadorian. With the help of dedicated teachers and the support of a welcoming Community, I learned English and blended right in with the kids in the neighborhood. Oddly enough, I became an un-official interpreter for Spanish-speaking family, friends, and neighbors.

I firmly believe that at some point in our lives our trauma, frustration, and joy reach an intersection and we find ourselves in the “here and now.” As a human rights defender, I have learned to stand in solidarity with family, friends, neighbors, strangers, and “Others”—affirming the God-given dignity of all members of the human family, including those that society deems “the least of these.”

Isabel Belen

Barbara Mojica

I’m a seasoned financial professional with a decade of industry experience, six of which have been dedicated to the credit union sector. My career has been defined by my unwavering passion for financial well-being, equity, and empowerment of underserved communities, particularly the Latinx population.

Currently serving as the Executive Director for the National Latino Association of Credit Union Professionals (NLCUP), I’m at the forefront of driving positive change within the credit union industry.

Sylvia Zapata

I’m a first generation HBCU college graduate, who comes from a matrilineal line with a history in agriculture in both Texas and Mexico. My patrilineal line is rich in entrepreneurship in Mexico and migrant farmwork once they immigrated to the United States. I grew up between the Texas Rio Grande Valley and Washington's Yakima Valley as my parents migrated north to work in the fields to make ends meet. As a teenager, I worked in the fields in Georgia with my family. Now, I am the Executive Director of Student Action with Farmworkers, an organization of which I am an alum, and I’m a mother to two teenagers and a Belgian Malinois. My work has centered in working for local, and state, government in entitlement programs and also working in the private sector. Although a native Texan, I’ve been living in North Carolina, on and off, for the past 22 years.

Deacon Joshua Klickman, MA

I’m an Airborne Ranger and Special Forces combat veteran whose passion for social justice and calling to ministry led me to a career in the Catholic Church. My Army service included assignments at 5th Special Forces Group, 3rd Special Forces Group, and Joint Special Operations Command. Stationed at Fort Liberty since 2006, I’ve also worked with local churches in prison ministry and hospital and homebound ministry. I completed an M.A. in Catechesis and Evangelization at Franciscan University in 2018, and since 2019 has served in the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh as the Coordinator for Human Life and Dignity. In June 2020 I was ordained as a Deacon and I’m assigned to St Patrick Catholic Church in Fayetteville, NC.

Sonya Roberts

My name is Sonya Roberts. I have been a resident of North Carolina for 23 years. I have a diverse family background to include being born overseas, relatives from various countries, and have taught many students from various countries. I am a graduate in the areas of Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology, Early Childhood, and a Masters Degree in Education. Community Service is very important to me and I am blessed to serve in many capacities that educate, empower, and encourage others.

Evan Benz, JD

I’m an Associate Attorney at the The Law Office of Derrick J. Hensley, PLLC, in Hillsborough, NC, which focuses on international family law and immigration law. A North Carolina native, I graduated from the UNC School of Law in 2015 and practiced immigration and family law for two years at a non-profit in Massachusetts before returning home to serve North Carolina's immigrant communities. I’m passionate about JFON/ILJC's mission of serving clients and the greater community with dedication and compassion. I am fluent in Spanish and in French. I serve on the Human Resources Committee.

Rev. Jaye White, Vice Chair

I serve as the Director of Outreach and Missions at the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. I moved to Fayetteville as an Army wife with my husband, Mark. We have two adult children who are both married to wonderful people. Since NC-ILJ (formerly JFON) was birthed out of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, it has been a ministry priority to serve everyone seeking assistance navigating the U.S. legal system. I am thankful to work with a talented, dedicated team who make the work of welcoming people from all over the world possible.

Our Board and staff members are a diverse group of local professionals united by a shared purpose.

Born in Puerto Rico, I speak fluent Spanish and English. I moved to Fayetteville back in 2009 with my military family. I serve at the ILJC as Executive Director and I’m honored to be serving the immigrant community.

Viviana Quiles, Executive Director

Yvanne Vaughn, Attorney

I’ve served as the staff attorney for NC ILJ since December 2023.