Kelly is the Associate Director, Learning and Development for Legal Access and Representation Programs. She brings with her a full view of the conditions of asylum seekers from working in refugee camps, resettlement, migrant camps, detention centers and immigration court for the past 15 years. With partners she has pushed for localities to put public dollars towards representation for immigrants.  She works with the fervent and real hope that local cities and states that fund immigration defense programs will eventually give rise to Federal Legislation- including the Fairness to Freedom Act- creating a public defender like model in immigration court nationwide, removing a key barrier to legal relief in the U.S.  Prior to joining Acacia, Kel worked with detained persons and new advocates at CAIR Coalition, who taught and informed her practice and approach.  She incorporates holistic and movement lawyering into her advocacy, learning from the private bar, community groups.

Kel currently serves on AILA’s National Conference Committee and was elected as the AILA-DC chapter Vice Chair for 2024-2025. When she is not working, Kel enjoys swimming, biking, and going to art festivals.

Select Publications and Media

Who Gets in? (NYT Letter to the Editor, May 19, 2023)
www.nytimes.com/2023/05/19/opinion/letters/immigration.html

Fairfax County Proposes Legal Defense Fund For Immigrants (WAMU, April 23, 2019)
wamu.org/story/19/04/23/fairfax-county-proposes-legal-defense-fund-for-immigrants/

State Legislation
Introduced HB 2226: Criminal Street Gang Reporting- Notice & Process for Contesting Entry of Information into Databases; Virginia 2021 Session (partnered with the Activated People- TAP)

Introduced SB 0317: Right to Counsel in Immigration Proceedings; Maryland 2021 Session (SB 129/HB114 for Maryland 2022 Session) (partnered with many orgs, including CASA as lead)