Immigrant Justice Corps announces new Chief Executive Officer, Sussan Lee, first alum to lead organization

NEW YORK, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Immigrant Justice Corps, a national fellowship program training new generations of legal advocates for immigrant justice, announced that Sussan Lee, a member of its 2015 Justice Fellow class, will become the organization's next Chief Executive Officer. Sussan will assume the role on January 4, 2027, where she will be the first graduate of the fellowship to lead the organization.

Sussan Lee, an immigrant from South Korea, brings over a decade of experience spanning direct representation, policy advocacy, organizing and power-building. Sussan most recently served as the Managing Director of United We Dream, the largest immigrant youth-led organizing and advocacy network in the country.

In her role as CEO, Sussan will build on Immigrant Justice Corps' strong foundation: over 600 legal advocates trained in the pursuit of achieving universal representation for immigrants, with 90% of alumni remaining in the immigration field after graduating from the fellowship.

"IJC empowered me to pursue my purpose of becoming a life-long advocate for immigrant communities. I am incredibly honored to come back to lead the organization," said Sussan Lee, incoming CEO of Immigrant Justice Corps. "Now more than ever, we need skilled, courageous immigrant justice advocates who are ready to deliver quality representation to our immigrant communities with the full knowledge and belief that erosion of due process for some is an erosion of due process for all. I am excited to forge the path towards universal representation with the generations of IJC fellows who are already leading the field and those to come."

As Managing Director of United We Dream, Sussan developed an ambitious ten-year vision and helped translate it into organizational strategy and action. Previously, as Senior Federal Policy Adviser at the New York City Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, she led a coalition of more than 175 mayors and county executives advocating for pro-immigrant policies and inclusive local programs. She also served as Appellate Counsel at the Center for Appellate Litigation and Immigration Attorney at Queens Defenders. During her Immigrant Justice Corps Fellowship, she worked at the MinKwon Center for Community Action, assisting Korean and Chinese immigrant communities in New York City.

"This is a full-circle moment for IJC. Sussan's journey from one of the earliest Fellows to Chief Executive Officer is the clearest proof of what this program was built to do," said Sarah Burr, Immigrant Justice Corps' Board President. "She has seen the immigration system from every angle: through her own lived experience, standing beside clients facing removal, navigating the adjudications process, and leading coalitions fighting for immigrant rights and advocating for humane immigration reform. That rare breadth, combined with her deep belief in IJC's fellowship model, is why the Board chose her. Under her leadership, we will deepen our partnerships, expand opportunities for Fellows and grow a network of alumni ready to lead the fight for immigrant justice."

"I have watched Sussan grow into a leader of remarkable skill, courage, and conviction. There is no one better prepared to lead IJC forward," said Jojo Annobil, outgoing Chief Executive Officer. "Seeing her take the helm is the clearest sign that what we have built together will endure and grow stronger. I leave with deep gratitude and complete confidence in the future of IJC."

"For the past five years, Sussan has been my true partner in leadership, bringing the vision to imagine what is possible, the discipline to build the path to get there, and the courage and conviction to lead others forward," said Greisa Martinez Rosas, United We Dream's Executive Director. "I could not be prouder to see her take this next step and lead a new generation of immigrant lawyers to fight for the dignity, rights, and freedom of our communities."

Sussan graduated from Harvard Law School, holds a master's degree in migration studies from the University of Oxford and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College.

About IJC
The first and only fellowship of its kind, Immigrant Justice Corps (IJC) promotes access to justice for immigrants by recruiting, training and deploying a new generation of leaders and legal advocates in service of the ultimate goal of universal representation. Fellows are deployed during the two-year fellowship to legal services and community-based organizations where they can make the greatest difference and supports them with training and expert insights as they directly assist immigrants in need.

Visit www.justicecorps.org for more information

SOURCE Immigrant Justice Corps