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Southeast Immigrant Rights Network
our team
Mónica Hernández (she/her),
Co-Director
Mónica has worked at SEIRN since May 2011 and has been organizing in immigrant communities for over 25 years. A native of Mexico with roots in both countries, Mónica moved to the South in 2001 to join the staff of the Highlander Research and Education Center, where she worked until 2011, She led Highlander's immigration work, co-developing and co-facilitating the Institute for Immigrant Leadership Development (INDELI), a regional Latinx grassroots organizing and leadership development program, and Threads, a multi-racial, intergenerational, multi-issue leadership development program. Mónica served as Highlander's Interim Co-Director in 2005-06. She was the Founding Board President of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition and currently serves on the board of the National Network of Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Before moving to the South, she worked at the Northern California Coalition for Immigration Rights in San Francisco for 13 years in various capacities, including hotline operator, program coordinator, and executive director.
Nayely Perez-Huerta (she/her),
Co-Director
Nayely immigrated to North Carolina from Guanajuato, México at the age of 13. Her family was one of the thousands of farmworker families displaced by the North American Free Trade Agreement. As an undocumented student, Nayely began organizing at the age of 16 and became the first member of her family to graduate from college. Nayely has organized with undocumented youth and adults on issues around in-state tuition, driver licenses for undocumented immigrants, poli-migra, and more. In 2012, she was hired as regional organizer at the Southeast Immigrant Rights Network and recently transitioned to the role of Co-Director. At SEIRN, Nayely works to develop and lift up the leadership of directly impacted grassroots groups; supports campaigns and initiatives that promote grassroots leadership; and helps bring together member organizations to strengthen the immigrant rights movement in the Southeast region.
Evelyn Servin (she/her),
Membership and Communications Coordinator
Evelyn began her path in social justice as a community leader from Russellville Alabama in 2011 after the passage of HB 56, the harshest anti-immigrant state law in the nation. She brought her community together to fight back against the law and co-founded NAHCER. After serving as a community representative and later as the Vice-Chair of the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice Steering Committee, Evelyn stepped up her leadership role and became the North Alabama Regional Organizer for ACIJ. Evelyn demonstrated her powerful work ethic and her passion for grassroots leadership development by investing deeply in community organizing and advocacy with directly impacted immigrants across the state of Alabama. Through her hard work, leadership and dedication Evelyn is a strong force in the movement for liberation of her people. She believes deeply in building power from the ground up and being intentional when constructing relationships and unity between immigrants and people directly impacted by anti-Black racist political policies.
Jorge Luis “Tito” Ramos (he/him),
Solidarity Coordinator
Tito is a queer artist and community organizer from Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. He immigrated to the United States with his family in 2003 to escape the political turmoil and economic instability that plagued his hometown and has lived in Raleigh, North Carolina ever since. Given that him and his family are undocumented Jorge got involved with youth organizing at a young age (13). Tito has been involved in movement work in North Carolina for over 12 years.
As SEIRN’s Solidarity Coordinator, Tito leads the Weaving Solidarity Program and serves as a bridge for immigrants and refugees to build power with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) and LGBTQ+ communities. Tito works to strengthen ties among social justice organizations through coalition and alliance building, supports the leadership of grassroots leaders within these structures, and supports and brings visibility to efforts led by under-represented immigrant and refugee groups/organizations.
As SEIRN’s Solidarity Coordinator, Tito leads the Weaving Solidarity Program and serves as a bridge for immigrants and refugees to build power with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) and LGBTQ+ communities. Tito works to strengthen ties among social justice organizations through coalition and alliance building, supports the leadership of grassroots leaders within these structures, and supports and brings visibility to efforts led by under-represented immigrant and refugee groups/organizations.
Cristo Daniel Salazar (he/him), Leadership Development Coordinator
Cristo is the son of Mexican immigrants, he grew up as a first-generation student in rural North Carolina, experiencing discrimination and inequities in his educational journey. After continuing to witness the inequities faced by BIPOC communities, he decided to get involved and do something about it. He is passionate about promoting equity so that race, ethnicity, economic background, regional location, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, and language are not barriers to educational and professional opportunities.
As SEIRN’s Leadership Development Coordinator, Cristo leads the coordination of the Hummingbird Institute focused on grassroots leadership and organizing, and works closely with grassroots groups to help develop their leadership and capacity to build power. Cristo supports collaborative structures; and coordinates immigration policy exchange spaces among groups and organizations in the region.
As SEIRN’s Leadership Development Coordinator, Cristo leads the coordination of the Hummingbird Institute focused on grassroots leadership and organizing, and works closely with grassroots groups to help develop their leadership and capacity to build power. Cristo supports collaborative structures; and coordinates immigration policy exchange spaces among groups and organizations in the region.
Johanna C. Hernandez G. (sher/her), Administrative Assistant
Johanna immigrated to North Carolina from Colombia two years ago with her husband and sons and reconnected with her passion for working with grassroots groups. A mathematician by training, Johanna spent many years in Colombia coordinating projects for various organizations and incorporating different administrative, logistical and cooperative strategies focused on organizational development. Since arriving in North Carolina, she has worked with several grassroots groups to implement processes to strengthen their financial management, fundraising and operations. In addition, she has planned and executed national and international activities and events that promote grassroots community leadership and strategic coalitions.
As SEIRN´s Administrative Assistant, Johanna is responsible for coordinating the logistical components of our Weaving Solidarity and Hummingbird Institute programs, supporting the Cultivating Resistance Fund, and providing administrative support for SEIRN´s Co-Directors.
As SEIRN´s Administrative Assistant, Johanna is responsible for coordinating the logistical components of our Weaving Solidarity and Hummingbird Institute programs, supporting the Cultivating Resistance Fund, and providing administrative support for SEIRN´s Co-Directors.
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