Legal Services Staff

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Las Cruces Office

Cristina Roberts

Accredited Representative/Citizenship

Cristina Roberts is responsible for Family Petitions, Consular Process, residency card renewals, DACAS, FOIAS, waivers (I-212, I-601A), and naturalization cases.

In addition, she is an Accredited Legal Representative with the Executive Office of Immigration Review through the Office of Legal Access Programs. Cristina is a naturalized U.S. Citizen, born and raised in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico.

She obtained a degree in information technology and computer systems. Cristina is in her 13th year working for Catholic Charities.

Elizabeth Zavala

Accredited Representative/Victims Advocate

Elizabeth brings more than 20 years of immigration experience to Catholic Charities. Elizabeth handles family petitions and legal residency for victims of a crime and women covered by the Violence Against Women Act.

She’s bilingual and an accredited legal representative with the Executive Office of Immigration Review through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Access Programs.

Elizabeth previously worked for La Casa Inc. as a domestic violence Intake Specialist and Immigration Advocate.

Rose Chavarria

Paralegal/Defense For Deportation

Presenting Rose Chavarria, she has been part of Catholic Charities staff since 2016. Rose comes to CCSNM with more than 20 years of experience in both Legal Assistance and management. She graduated with an Associate degree in Applied Science from DACC.

She is our Office Manager and Paralegal who brings dynamic and proactivity to the office and is passionate about what she does. Rose’s role as office manager is very important she makes sure that our office is well functioned and follows office operations and procedures, as well as assist our DOJ Representative in immigration cases.

Elizabeth A. Balizan

Receptionist

Elizabeth Balizan is our Las Cruces office receptionist! She is a proud Native American and a member of Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo. She was born and raised in the City of Las Cruces, NM, and has resided here all of her life. She’s a recent retiree from the Third Judicial District Court, where she worked for 25 years. Also, she’s a proud alumnus of New Mexico State University and Dona Ana Community College where she received an Associates Degree in Secretarial Administration.

Haleigh Haven

Graduate Student Intern/Student Mentor

Haleigh is a Master of Public Administration student serving as our graduate student intern as well as beginning her second year of student mentoring for our scholarship program that aims to support local homeless/disadvantaged students.

She is a proud NMSU Aggie, having earned her B.S. in Counseling and Community Psychology with honors in May 2022 alongside three minors. Haleigh is first-generation and strives to open doors to educational opportunity for others.

Roswell Office

Nancy Hernandez

Receptionist/Secretary

Nancy Hernandez has been with Catholic Charities since May of 2021 as a receptionist/secretary. She is bilingual and works closely with our Accredited Representative Cecilia Najera in the Roswell Office.Nancy’s daily duties consist of scheduling appointments and working closely with clients to ensure documents are in order.

Nancy grew up in Roswell and volunteered at the Roswell Independent School District for numerous years.

Cecilia Najera

Accredited Representative/Office Manager

Cecilia Najera comes to Catholic Charities with many years of experience in the immigration field. She has been with the Roswell branch since its opening on April 1, 2019.

She is an Accredited Representative responsible for family petitions, consular processing, renewals, waivers, and naturalization cases.