Bitania Endalkachew joined Tahirih in 2022. As the Legal Assistant, Bitania provides critical administrative support to the Afghan Asylum Project by screening survivors, maintaining project case databases, preparing documents, and supporting the project’s contract attorneys. Prior to joining Tahirih, Bitania served as a Program Associate on the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund housed in the National Women’s Law Center. Bitania has worked abroad in Morocco on public health issues at Organisation Pan-Africaine De Lutte Contre Le Sida.

“I am inspired by Tahirih’s interdisciplinary model of service and quick response to people’s needs, as demonstrated by the Afghan Asylum project.”

Education: Vanderbilt University, BA

Languages: English, Amharic

Hometown: Alexandria, VA

Dane joined Tahirih in 2022. As Immigration Staff Attorney in our Greater DC-Baltimore regional office, Dane represents immigrant victims of gender-based violence in Immigration Court and before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Prior to joining Tahirih, Dane worked as an attorney for Winston & Strawn LLP in their eDiscovery & Information Governance Department in DC and as an Immigration Law Clerk with Blessinger Legal PLLC in Virginia. Dane has written several publications including a journal article titled “Constitutional Court Landscape Post-Arab Spring: A Survey of Design,” 8 Indiana Journal of Constitutional Design 2 (2021), and a book chapter titled “Refugee Admissions Under the Trump Administration,” in “Perceptions and Misconceptions of Donald Trump” (Mohamed A. ‘Arafa ed., Nova Science Publishers, Inc. 2022).

“I am inspired by Tahirih’s commitment to restorative justice and healing for vulnerable populations who have faced great trauma in their lives. Tahirih dedicates itself to helping immigrant survivors gain safety and security, and I am honored to be part of that work.”

Education: Indiana University Maurer School of Law, JD; Indiana University Bloomington, BA

Languages: English, Arabic, and Spanish

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

Brenda Melgar joined Tahirih in 2019. As the Immigration and Family Law Paralegal in the Greater DC office, Brenda supports our attorneys with important legal tasks like preparing immigration forms and filings; client related work like scheduling and meeting with clients. Brenda comes to Tahirih with fifteen years of paralegal experience. Prior to Tahirih, Brenda was a Senior Paralegal at a private practice, immigration firm, where she gained her passion for helping her immigrant community.

“I am inspired by Tahirih’s commitment to serving courageous immigrant women and girls.”

Education: George Mason University, Paralegal Certificate

Languages: Spanish

Hometown: Woodbridge, Virginia

Emilie joined Tahirih in 2023. As an Immigration Staff Attorney in our Greater DC-Baltimore regional office, Emilie represents immigrant victims of gender-based violence in Immigration Court and before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Prior to joining Tahirih, Emilie worked as a Constituent Services Caseworker for U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and served as a legal fellow with RAINN. During law school, Emilie participated in the University of Maryland’s Gender Violence Clinic and was a member of the Maryland Journal of Race, Religion, Gender, and Class.

“I am inspired by Tahirih’s mission of protecting immigrant women and girls. I am honored to be a part of providing holistic, client-centered legal services to these courageous survivors.”

Education: University of Maryland, JD; Texas Christian University, BA

Hometown: Santa Barbara, California