The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) Board of Directors announced today that Keren Zwick will lead the organization as its executive director beginning July 13.
Ms. Zwick, a nationally recognized leader in the immigrant rights movement, has been NIJC’s director of litigation since 2019 and previously led the organization’s Detention Project and LGBTQ+ Immigrant Rights Initiative. Under her leadership, NIJC’s litigation team has been at the forefront of efforts in the federal courts to preserve due process and access to asylum, and to challenge unlawful mass deportation policies. She brings deep knowledge of NIJC’s mission, a strong record of advocacy, and a vision for the organization’s future.
“I am excited and humbled by the opportunity to be NIJC’s next executive director,” said Ms. Zwick. “I am enormously proud of the work NIJC has done and grateful to everyone in NIJC’s community who have made it possible: our staff, community and pro bono partners, donors, and our incredible clients. I look forward to continuing to work together as NIJC enters its next chapter.”
Among her accomplishments at NIJC to date, in 2025 Ms. Zwick helped launch the Illinois Habeas Project, which has filed more than 110 petitions a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of people unlawfully detained under the second Trump administration. She has also been a key contributor to the Castañon-Nava litigation that challenges warrantless arrests in the Chicago area and to a lawsuit against President Trump’s 2025 proclamation closing the border to asylum seekers. Prior to stepping into the litigation director role, Ms. Zwick grew the capacity of NIJC’s Adult Detention Project and LGBTQ+ Immigrant Rights Initiative. She helped NIJC become one of the first federally funded Immigration Court Helpdesk providers in the country and led NIJC in establishing its participation in the National Qualified Representative Program, which provides appointed counsel for people who are found incompetent for self-representation. Ms. Zwick also led numerous appellate efforts to secure the rights of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, particularly on behalf of transgender women. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Zwick worked at NIJC as a paralegal providing legal services for asylum seekers. Ms. Zwick earned her juris doctor from Columbia Law School and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago.
“The search committee conducted a robust national search and while we met many exceptional candidates, Keren emerged as the leader who can advance NIJC’s mission and manage the organization’s growth in these turbulent times,” said NIJC Board Chair Chad Doobay.
Ms. Zwick will succeed Mary Meg McCarthy, who will retire after nearly 30 years leading NIJC.
“I extend my sincere congratulations to Keren as she leads NIJC into its next chapter,” said Ms. McCarthy. “It has been a privilege to be a part of NIJC’s incredible community of advocates and to work with courageous immigrant communities who are fighting to defend human rights for all. Keren’s experience, passion, and commitment to immigrant rights and access to justice, will be critical to advancing NIJC’s mission.”