About Us

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 Committee 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.

The founding of NC-ILJC came at the same time as the conclusion of a migrant solidarity initiative in Fayetteville called the Migrant Assistance Project (MAP-FAY). This project was a spontaneous effort by local activists to support migrant families passing through Fayetteville on their way north. Volunteers met Greyhound buses three times a day, offering food, clothing, medicine, blankets, and toys. Many former MAP-FAY volunteers have served or are serving as board members or volunteers for NC-ILJC.

To build resilient, informed, and just communities by empowering individuals through immigration legal support, advice and counsel, education, and referrals.

Vision Statement

Mission Statement

To build trust and empower immigrant neighbors through affordable, high-quality legal services, education, advocacy, and outreach, fostering resilience and promoting welcoming and inclusive communities.

NCILJC Podcast Episode 1:
What We Do and FAQ!

“Good Morning Fayetteville”
WFNC 640 AM, 1/27/2025
Interview with Board Chair Joshua James

National Partners

The North Carolina Immigration Law & Justice Center is a proud affiliate of the national Immigration Law & Justice Network.

Our Staff

  • Viviana Quiles

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    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.

  • Melissa Hopkins

    GRANT WRITER

    A New Jersey native, I came to North Carolina for college and never looked back. I have more than 20 years of nonprofit experience focused on sharing stories that make a difference. I moved from public relations to grant writing in order to make a more direct impact on achieving organizational mission. 

  • Lynelle Sparrow

    ACCOUNTANT

  • Alexandra C.

    LEGAL ASSISTANT

Our Board

  • Joshua J.

    BOARD CHAIR

    I’m a North Carolina native and have lived in Fayetteville since 2011. I’m an educator. Together with other local activists, I directed 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. 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.

    I’m very proud of the work that we do and the progress that we’ve made.

  • Sylvia Z.

    BOARD MEMBER

    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. My work has centered in working for local, and state, government in entitlement programs and also working in the private sector.

  • Joshua K.

    BOARD MEMBER

    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. In June 2020 I was ordained as a Deacon and I’m assigned to St Patrick Catholic Church in Fayetteville, NC.

  • Jaye W.

    BOARD MEMBER

    I currently serve as a Methodist minister. 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.

  • Sonya R.

    BOARD MEMBER

    My name is Sonya. 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.

  • Delenia M.

    BOARD MEMBER

    A skilled attorney and experienced head of legal with over twenty-five years of strategic, advisory and transactional experience acquired in a variety of settings, including global law firms, financial institutions, international organizations and non-profits.  My experience includes advising mission-driven organizations on a broad variety of issues across functions and geographies in international and multi-cultural environments, having lived and worked as a legal professional on four continents – Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. 

    The principle I most prioritize in life and try every day to live up to - is doing unto others as you would have them do unto you, which centers valuing individual dignity and respecting each individual regardless of our relative circumstances.  I strongly believe that respecting the dignity and humanity of people in the immigration system is critical and is an indication of our morality as a nation and a society.  I am proud to be part of an organization working towards this worthy goal.  

  • Karen F.

    BOARD MEMBER

    I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving the Fayetteville, NC community. My passion for immigration advocacy stems from my own personal experience as an immigrant coming to the United States as a small child. My experience has left me with a deep desire to advocate and support my fellow immigrants through different channels.

    I hold a Masters of Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University with a concentration in Hispanic Children and Families and I am currently working towards a Ph.D. in Social Work at the University of South Carolina, College of Social Work. During my studies I've had the opportunity to work on multiple interdisciplinary teams on research related to undocumented migration, school-social worker roles with undocumented students, the nexus of climate change and migration, and my own personal work on Venezuelan high-skilled migration to Argentina.