Maya El Cheikh
Legal Services Coordinator/DOJ Fully-Accredited Representative
As a legal services coordinator in New York, Maya El Cheikh conducts screenings of potential clients; writes case assessments; supports pro bono and in-house attorneys; helps manage the New York office’s client database; assists in supporting advocacy efforts; and helps select, train, and supervise interns.
As a Department of Justice (DOJ) fully-accredited representative, Maya directly represents immigrants in removal proceedings before the Department of Homeland Security and the Executive Office for Immigration Review under the supervision of our New York office’s managing attorney. She helps clients secure various immigration-related benefits, including asylum, employment authorization, family reunification, and adjustment of status.
Prior to joining Human Rights First, Maya worked with the Victim Services Unit at the District Attorney's office in Brooklyn. There, she assisted victims of various crimes, including domestic violence, with VAWA and U-visa petitions.
In addition to her legal background, Maya holds a master’s degree in Special Education and Inclusion from the University of Roehampton, a master’s degree in Social Work from New York University, and a bachelor's degree from Concordia University in Canada. Maya is a native Arabic speaker and is conversationally fluent in Spanish.