Our Team

NATALIE FOOTE, lCsw

President/CEO, DOJ Accredited representative

Natalie was part of the team that founded RILA in 2015.  She provides leadership to RILA by developing and administering RILA's programs, and keeping RILA's mission and vision central to its work.  Natalie is also a Department of Justice (DOJ) Accredited Representative, and represents clients before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A Licensed Clinical Social Worker by training, she is driven by social justice, compassion, and honoring the dignity and worth of all people.  Natalie believes RILA's work is central to the Christian faith, and loves partnering with communities of faith.  A Texan at heart, and an ex-New Yorker, Natalie, her husband, John, and her four children have made a home in Arlington, Virginia.  Together, they love to play music, play sports, travel and drive around in their pick-up truck!

Contact: natalie@restorationimmigration.org

Linda ARZU

STAFF ATTORNEY

Linda joined RILA in April 2020, first as a volunteer and recently as a brief writer. Linda graduated from Georgetown University Law Center and spent over 30 years practicing education and elder law, and handling corporate compliance and quality assurance issues for a large nonprofit serving people with autism. Immediately prior to her retirement in 2020, Linda founded and served as the director of a maternity home in New York State. She believes in putting her faith into action and in the responsibility and privilege as a Christian to "welcome the stranger among us." Linda lives with her husband in Fort Myers, where they enjoy traveling, hiking, and learning pickleball.

Contact: linda@restorationimmigration.org

REGINA CABALLERO

INTERPRETER/LEGAL ASSISTANT

Regina is excited to join the RILA team as an interpreter and legal assistant. Currently studying Global Affairs at George Mason University, she is passionate about helping immigrants in our community, having served as a mentor and tutor for children in Arlington and Fairfax counties. Regina lives in Arlington and enjoys hiking in her free time. 

Contact: regina@restorationimmigration.org

CHRISTINE CHAN DOWNER

LEGAL ADVOCATE

Chris joined RILA in January of 2023. She has previously worked for the U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, served as a consultant to International Justice Mission, and led her church’s refugee ministry for 10 years. Chris believes in the dignity of all people, and is motivated by her desire to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Chris studied Asian Studies and Political Science at the University of Michigan before obtaining a Masters of Public Policy from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. She lives in Falls Church with her husband and two children, who all love spending time outdoors, traveling, and exploring international cuisines.

Contact: chris@restorationimmigration.org

Melissa Chang

directoR of operations

Mel joined RILA in May of 2019. As Director of Operations, she oversees RILA’s legal clinics, finances and human resources. After graduating from Northwestern University, Mel worked in communications both at CNN Financial News and at Lehman Brothers in New York City. She also served as the Sunday Operations Coordinator at Grace DC. She and her husband have lived in Arlington since 2006 with their two sons. In her free time, you will find her checking out new eateries around town and driving her boys to sports practices.

Contact: mel@restorationimmigration.org

MIRNA GALDAMEZ

SENIOR LEGAL ASSISTANT

Mirna interned for RILA when she was a student at Marymount University where she worked with the Dreamer community. She graduated from Marymount in 2022 with a degree in Sociology with the vision of empowering immigrants in precarious circumstances. As an immigrant from El Salvador, she is someone who understands the challenges the immigrant community faces in adapting to this society. Through RILA, she plans to work for justice and change for those whose voices have not been heard yet. During her free time, Mirna enjoys exploring new hobbies and watching movies (recap movies too!).

Contact: mirna@restorationimmigration.org

CARMITA HEDMAN SEQUEIRA

STAFF ATTORNEY

Carmita joined RILA in October 2023 and is grateful to be part of such a great team committed to serving the immigrant community in our area. She was born in Mexico and raised in Argentina and Paraguay. Believing that one is never too old to follow her dreams, Carmita recently graduated from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of law where she obtained, in addtion to her law degree, a certificate in Comparative and International Law and received the Outstanding Clinic Student Award. Before law school, she worked for over 10 years as a certified Spanish court interpreter in Northern Virginia.

HELEN HIDALGO

INTAKE COORDINATOR

Helen has been with RILA since July 2017, first as a volunteer and then joined the staff in November 2019. She facilitates all client communication and offers our legal team any necessary support needed to complete case work. Originally from Costa Rica, Helen knows what it’s like to be new to this country and is passionate about RILA's vision to not only advocate for our clients, but to serve them with hospitality and compassion. Aside from her work at RILA, Helen enjoys traveling, cultural events, trying new restaurants, and Kansas basketball.

Contact: helen@restorationimmigration.org

Michele Islas

LEGAL ADVOCATE & PROGRAM MANAGER

Michele joined RILA in 2020 after serving as the assistant director at the Mother of Light Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the impoverished population in Alexandria. As one of RILA's legal advocates, Michele helps our clients file asylum petitions, prepare for their final merits hearings and apply for legal permanent residence. Additionally, she works closely with the children eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. A California native, Michele lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband, four children and Labradoodle Benjamin Franklin. 

Contact: mislas@restorationimmigration.org

ANNE JaNG

SUPERVISING ATTORNEY

Anne joined RILA in June 2019. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Law School, she previously worked in private practice in both trial and appellate litigation and clerked for Judge Rya W. Zobel on the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and Judge Patricia A. Millett on the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Anne believes strongly in the biblical call to care for the most vulnerable in our community and is honored to play a role in advocating for RILA’s clients. Originally from Maryland, Anne now lives in Alexandria with her husband and three young children.

Contact: anne@restorationimmigration.org

JOHANNA MONTAGUE

Partnerships COordinator

Johanna joined RILA in September 2023. A graduate of the University of Virginia and former engagement officer at the University of Virginia Alumni Association, Johanna brings a wealth of experience building and growing partnerships. A seasoned volunteer in the Arlington community, she is passionate about connecting individuals and organizations with opportunities to serve, grow, give and learn together. Johanna lives with her husband Will and three daughters in Arlington.

Contact: johanna@restorationimmigration.org

JULIA OVANDO

SUPERVISING Attorney

Julia supervises RILA's Special Immigrant Juvenile Status matters. Since earning her Juris Doctorate from The George Mason School of Law in 2008, she has gained extensive experience resolving legal concerns of Northern Virginia children, parents, elders and families. Additionally, Julia is a Certified Guardian Ad Litem for Children. She loves being part of the team of advocates serving immigrants in Northern Virginia in a holistic way. When she is not assisting RILA clients, Julia runs her own private law practice located in the Courthouse area of Arlington, where she focuses on family law. 

Contact: julia@restorationimmigration.org

EMILY Smith

LEGAL ADVOCATE

Driven by her faith to serve the orphan, the widow and the foreigner, Emily joined RILA in August 2018 and became a Department of Justice Fully Accredited Representative. She first became passionate about refugees while studying International Relations in college. Before coming to RILA Emily worked in the Legal Department at World Vision US and received her Master of Human Rights degree from the London School of Economics. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Emily now lives in Falls Church with her husband and two young sons. 

Contact: emilys@restorationimmigration.org

Michelle Swearingen

Legal Advocate & Director Of COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Michelle re-joined RILA’s staff in 2020 after a two year stint in California where she managed a food bank serving 500 families weekly.  One of the co-founders of RILA, Michelle re-joins the staff as a Legal Advocate, working with asylum seekers to navigate the complicated US immigration system. Originally from Ohio, Michelle studied international development at the Ohio State University before moving to Arlington, Virginia, in 2007 to pursue her master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University.   Michelle gets excited about building community and the upside down kingdom of God that places the poor and the vulnerable at the seat of honor.  Michelle lives in her favorite place, Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband and two kids.  

Contact: michelle@restorationimmigration.org