Meet our team
ICARE Staff
Sierra Kraft
As the Executive Director, Sierra spearheads the strategic vision of the ICARE coalition, fostering meaningful collaboration among members, building strategic partnerships, and implementing innovative solutions to ensure no child faces the immigration system alone. Guided by her conviction that all immigrants deserve access to quality legal representation, Sierra draws inspiration from the transformative power of community, recognizing that our collective voices can reshape systems and society.
With 20 years experience in the nonprofit sector, Sierra is a seasoned professional dedicating her career to working alongside refugee and immigrant communities in both the U.S. and abroad. In her previous role as interim co-executive director at Freedom for Immigrants, she ardently advocated for the abolition of harmful immigration detention practices across the U.S. Her diverse experience includes serving as Operations Manager with Refugee Solidarity Network, Program Specialist overseeing resettlement offices with Church World Service, and launching her career in case management, working with refugee families at Lutheran Social Services. Sierra also held the position of Accreditation Manager with Social Current (formerly Council on Accreditation).
Sierra's professional focus lies in assisting nonprofits in implementing robust administrative practices while creating inclusive communities for immigrants and refugees. Her educational background includes an M.A. in Human Rights from Columbia University, an M.A. in Nonprofit Management from Notre Dame of Maryland University, and a B.A. in Philosophy & Nonprofit Leadership from the University of North Dakota. Originally from the Midwest, Sierra now calls Brooklyn home. When not playing with her dog in the park, she can often be found supporting local live music or comedy.
Executive Director
Olivia Cassin
Olivia has dedicated her career to serving immigrant New Yorkers and is thrilled to continue this work as ICARE’s Legal Director. In this role, she oversees ICARE’s court support efforts for unaccompanied children and youth navigating immigration proceedings, strengthen coordination, training and access to resources across ICARE’s provider network.
Born and raised in Italy, Olivia immigrated to the United States with her family as a teenager, an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to immigrant communities.
For over twenty years, Olivia was an attorney with the Immigration Law Unit at The Legal Aid Society, where she specialized in crimmigration, the intersection of criminal and immigration law. In that role, she represented countless adults, children, and families facing deportation before the immigration agencies and courts.
Olivia was also a lecturer-in-law at Columbia Law School for approximately a decade, where she co-created and co-taught an externship focused on representing non-citizens in removal proceedings before the New York Immigration courts.
In 2015, Olivia was appointed as an Immigration Judge by Attorney General Loretta Lynch during the Obama administration. She served on the bench for ten years, using her expertise and deep knowledge of immigration law to adjudicate thousands of cases fairly and uphold the rule of law and due process.
Throughout her tenure an immigration judge, Olivia presided over the juvenile docket, a specialized docket for unaccompanied minors and youth. Olivia was committed to ensuring that every young person appearing before her was a participant in their own case and had access to the information and resources needed to navigate the complexities of the immigration legal system.
Legal Director
Jessica Cardona
As Program Manager, Jessica is responsible for designing and implementing ICARE’s program portfolio. Her role is to streamline coordination efforts among ICARE members, ensuring the establishment of efficient and reliable processes to support unaccompanied immigrant children seeking legal services. She is also responsible for developing and maintaining impact and reporting metrics and supporting the management of key relationships with members and partner organizations.
With over eight years of experience in the non-profit sector focused on serving the immigrant community, Jessica began her career at Birch Family Services. There she supported the Head Start program and helped families obtain developmentally appropriate services for their children with Autism and other developmental delays. In 2019, Jessica joined The Door’s Detained Minors Project, initially as Paralegal and later as Lead Paralegal. In these roles, she supported attorneys in representing Unaccompanied Children, established case management processes, and built key relationships. Jessica has also volunteered at Make the Road NY and New York Cares, contributing to projects that aim to empower the immigrant community and uplift underserved New Yorkers.
Jessica graduated in May 2023 with a policy-focused Master of Public Administration from Baruch College. She also holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Rochester. By drawing from her experience in direct service and policy training, she is committed to advancing the rights of Unaccompanied Children, and advocating for universal representation for all immigrants in removal proceedings. Jessica resides in Queens (best borough in NYC, of course) with her partner and adorable 3-year-old black cat.
Program Manager
Silvia Diaz
As Program Coordinator, Silvia conducts outreach, and eligibility screenings, manages the centralized waitlist, and coordinates warm handoffs to legal providers. She provides compassionate, culturally responsive, and youth-centered services.
Silvia is an experienced social services professional with more than 20 years supporting children, youth, and families across legal, child welfare, and community-based settings. Before joining ICARE Coalition, Silvia managed the Home Study and Post Release Services Program at Catholic Charities Community Services, where she led a case management team serving unaccompanied immigrant youth and ensured high-quality, trauma-informed services.
She has previously supervised family workers at Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey, provided legal advocacy to survivors of domestic violence at Jersey Battered Women’s Service, and supported attorneys and families as a paralegal with the New York Council on Adoptable Children.
Silvia holds a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College and a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University. She is bilingual in English and Spanish. Silvia lives in New Jersey and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Program Coordinator
Amelia Scdoris
As Program Coordinator, Amelia serves as a bridge between immigrant youth and the legal services they need to navigate the immigration system. Her role centers on conducting outreach and eligibility screenings, managing ICARE's centralized waitlist, and ensuring young people are connected to free legal representation and wraparound services. She is committed to providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive support that centers the voices and experiences of the youth she serves.
Amelia began her career in immigrant justice in 2023, working at an immigrant legal service provider in Washington Heights to coordinate program services, facilitate educational workshops, and support families navigating complex immigration processes. Prior to moving to New York, she spent six years in Santiago, Chile, where she worked as an educator and academic coordinator at an international school. This experience deepened her commitment to educational equity and her understanding of the challenges immigrant communities face. For Amelia, joining ICARE represents the convergence of her two greatest passions: advocating for immigrant rights and working directly with young people.
Amelia graduated from the University of Oregon in 2017 with a double major in Spanish Language & Literature and Political Science. Drawing from her experience both in the classroom and in direct service, she believes deeply that every child deserves access to quality legal representation and the opportunity to build a safe future. Originally from Oregon, Amelia now lives in Brooklyn where she is often reading, cooking, hosting dinners, or spending time with her loved ones!
Program Coordinator
Dianney Mascary
As a proud native New Yorker and first-generation immigrant, Dianney channels her passion, personal experience, and deep-rooted connection to the city into ICARE’s mission to serve and protect the rights of New York’s vibrant immigrant population. Watching members of her family and community navigate the many complexities of the U.S. legal system, ranging from language barriers to bureaucratic hurdles, has forged her drive to dismantle systemic barriers and advocate for equitable access to justice for all.
As Volunteer Manager, Dianney’s goal is to strengthen the organization’s capacity to aid the vulnerable children and families we serve. She oversees the recruitment, training, and evaluation of volunteers to ensure they are equipped with the skills and resources needed to provide the most compassionate and effective support possible.
Dianney graduated in May 2023 with a B.A. in Political Science from New York University. She began her career as an environmental paralegal, working to defend clients unknowingly exposed to a toxic herbicide, and has continued her focus on advocating for the marginalized. She also volunteers for The Bridge NYC, providing support and resources to New Yorkers dealing with mental health issues. Her journey reflects a deep commitment to justice and building resilient communities where all New Yorkers can thrive. Dianney resides in Harlem with her family, and in her free time she enjoys cooking, exploring museums, and reading.
Volunteer Manager
Aarza Sachdeva
As a Research Intern, Aarza supports research initiatives focused on strengthening legal and supportive services for immigrant youth in New York City. As someone who is deeply interested in immigration policy and human rights, Aarza is eager to not only understand the systemic challenges that immigrant children face but also what can be done to support community-centered solutions.
Originally from Hong Kong, Aarza has conducted research on diversity and inclusion in high schools, exploring the historical legacies of immigrant contributions in Hong Kong and the discrimination they continue to face today. Aarza also researched different education systems in Hong Kong and worked to create an educational simulation to be implemented in primary school classrooms to teach students about the challenges immigrants face in Hong Kong when dealing with prejudices.
Aarza is currently studying Political Science and Human Rights at Barnard College of Columbia University and will be a junior in the fall. Through her work at ICARE, Aarza hopes to continue supporting immigrant communities through research and advocacy and public service. immigration considering this city and supporting its diverse population. In her free time, she likes to read, cook, and engage in various water sports. She is bilingual in English and Hindi.
Research Intern
Mariela Pareja
As an Intern, Mariela Pareja is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society with a minor in Philosophy at CUNY- John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Also, pursuing a Certificate in Spanish Legal Translation and Interpretation, which has strengthened the ability to bridge language barriers and support Spanish-speaking communities.
Her long-term career goal is to become an immigration attorney dedicated to advocating for immigrant communities and expanding access to legal resources. She’s passionate about ensuring that individuals receive the support, guidance, and representation they need to thrive.
In addition to her legal interests, she is committed to community outreach and development. In believing that meaningful change begins with education, accessibility, and strong community partnerships. Hoping to use her skills to connect individuals with valuable resources, promote legal awareness, and help build programs that empower underserved populations.
She is very excited about the opportunities to work with organizations such as the ICARE Coalition, whose mission of connecting immigrant youth with legal services aligns closely with her professional aspirations and commitment to community advocacy. Through this work, she is willing to contribute to creating more inclusive, informed, and supportive communities for all.
InternAdvisory Board
Beth Krause, Supervising Attorney, Immigrant Youth Project, Legal Aid Society
Beth A. T. Krause has dedicated her career to advocating for children in New York City. She began her career with the Children’s Law Center and then continued as a solo practitioner representing children in custody, visitation, guardianship, abuse, neglect, paternity, and domestic violence matters in the Bronx County Family and Supreme Courts. Beth also has experience representing parents and other interested parties in the same types of proceedings.
In 2016, Beth joined the Legal Aid Society as Supervising Attorney of the Immigrant Youth Project at the Legal Aid Society. The Immigrant Youth Project annually represents hundreds of children and young people in Immigration Court, before US Citizenship and Immigration Services, and in New York Family Courts in the five boroughs of New York City and surrounding counties. Beth also acts as counsel on affirmative litigation impacting Immigrant Youth Project clients, including a successful class action on behalf of New York youth challenging the Trump administration’s denial of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for 18–21-year-old youth, and a class action on behalf of immigrant children separated from their parents at the southern border and placed in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement in New York State under the “zero-tolerance” policy.
Julie Silvia is the Managing Attorney for NYC Legal Programs at Catholic Charities (CCCS), where she oversees the supervision and operation of three city-funded legal services contracts for affirmative and removal defense cases. She also oversees a community-based clinical model providing brief legal services and full representation via NYC community schools. From 2020 to 2022, Julie served as a pro bono supervising attorney at CCCS, mentoring pro bono attorneys to enhance citywide pro bono representation for immigrant youth and adults with children in removal proceedings.
Between 2017 and 2020, Julie was part of the ActionNYC in Schools team, a collaboration with the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and local non-profits. In this role, she implemented programming to offer weekly, on-site legal support and representation to immigrant students and their families citywide, covering the largest school district in the country.
Prior to CCCS, Julie represented immigrant farm workers seeking immigration benefits, including victims of serious crimes and domestic violence as a Staff Attorney at a small nonprofit in California’s Central Valley. She also worked in private immigration practice from 2015-2016, representing detained and non-detained immigrants before the New York City and Elizabeth Immigration Courts, as well as the Board of Immigration Appeals, and managing a large federal circuit court docket.
Julie graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2010 and later attended CUNY School of Law, graduating in 2014. During her time as a law student, she worked in the Immigrant and Noncitizen Rights Clinic and interned with Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) in Washington D.C., and Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services in New York City. After law school, Julie attended Middlebury College’s Spanish summer immersion program and volunteered with various immigration legal services nonprofits in New York City, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
Julie, who grew up on an island, has a passion for the ocean, the beach, volcanoes, and spending time outdoors. She’s fascinated with whales and recommends trying one of the local NYC whale-watching tours. She currently resides in Brooklyn with her partner and their very weird but lovable dogs, Jake and Gus.
Julie Silvia, Managing Attorney, NYC Legal Programs, Catholic Charities Community Services, Archdiocese of New York
Marilia Richards, Acting Managing Director, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Marilia G. Richards is the Acting Managing Director of the New York office at Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), where she oversees legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children. Before joining KIND, she was a Senior Immigration Litigation Associate at a New York City firm, representing clients in complex matters including asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), removal defense, family-based immigration, and naturalization. Marilia’s commitment to immigrant justice began during law school, where she advocated for unaccompanied minors through the Immigration Law and Litigation Clinic at New York Law School. She has also supported immigrant communities through her work in housing and immigration law. Originally from Bolivia, Marilia immigrated to the U.S. at age six and draws on her lived experience to guide her advocacy. She is admitted to practice in New York and Washington, D.C.
Meena Shah, Director, Legal Services Center, The Door
Meena serves as the Director of the Legal Services Center at The Door, a comprehensive youth development organization serving New York City residents aged 12-24.
Since joining The Door in 2018, Meena has managed a diverse caseload representing NYC youth in removal defense proceedings and before USCIS. She brings extensive experience in youth advocacy, having previously served as a staff attorney for four years at the Juvenile Rights Practice of the Legal Aid Society. In that capacity, she represented youth clients across a wide range of Family Court proceedings. Meena began her legal career as an assistant law clerk in the Appellate Division, Second Department, following her graduation from CUNY Law School. Meena is admitted to practice in New York and speaks Spanish.
Tania Cohen is the Legal Director at Safe Passage Project (SPP). Since joining SPP as a staff attorney in 2017, Tania has represented immigrant youth seeking humanitarian relief, including Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and Asylum, and in their removal defense.
Prior to joining SPP, Tania was an associate at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and Chaffetz Lindsey. During her time in private practice, she worked on pro bono immigration matters, including as a pro bono attorney with SPP. Tania holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale College and a J.D. from New York University School of Law. Tania is admitted to practice in New York and is fluent in Spanish.
Tania Cohen, Legal Director, Safe Passage Project