Executive Committee Officers

Noemy Cruz is a Senior Associate Attorney at Hurwitz Holt, APLC in San Diego, CA.  She primarily represents individuals in removal proceedings, asylum matters, VAWA, and U visa petitions. Her practice also includes family-based immigration matters, appeals, and federal litigation. She is dedicated to helping immigrants navigate the complex immigration system in a compassionate and trauma-informed manner.  Ms. Cruz received her J.D. from California Western School of Law and has been licensed in the state of California since 2017. 

Christina Liao Tong is an associate at the Law Offices of Jane Oak & Associates in San Diego, CA. She has been an active member of AILA since 2021. Her practice includes humanitarian, family-based, and employment-based immigration, as well as removal defense. She completed her legal education through the Study in a Law Office program.

A daughter of immigrant parents from Nigeria, Ashley has first-hand experience in the real-life impact our immigration laws and policies have on families and has a passion to advocate for the rights and opportunities of people of diverse backgrounds. She is a dual citizen of Nigeria and the United States and conversant in Igbo language. After obtaining a Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law, Ashley has gained valuable experience in various types of immigration matters, including securing nonimmigrant employment-authorizing visas in the Temporary Agricultural Program and continuing to assist with family-based cases.

Julia Torres has been an Associate Attorney with the Law Office of Andrew K. Nietor since 2022. After graduating law school, Julia accepted a position through the Attorney General Honor’s Program as an Attorney Advisor for the Otay Mesa Immigration Court. There, she assisted the Immigration Judges with research and writing for cases originating out of the Otay Mesa Detention Center. After three years working at the Immigration Court, Julia was eager to advocate for immigrants and joined the Law Office of Andrew K. Nietor. Julia has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2019.

Michelle Celleri is currently the Human Rights Counsel with Alliance San Diego where she oversees their immigration legal services, education and outreach as well as high impact litigation.  She works closely with the immigrant community, organizations and policy centers to ensure all voices are a part of informing decisions that affect the immigrant community.  She has been an immigration attorney since 2013 and has worked with the immigrant community for 20 years.  She has been an active member of AILA since 2014 serving on committees every year including USCIS, CBP, state advocacy, SSA and LEA.  Mrs. Celleri is pleased to serve on the AILA Executive Committee and help members have the support they need locally to be successful.