ICS Staff

Tireless Support for the Plight of Immigrants and Refugees

Headshot Photo of Frank Garcia, Executive Director

Frank Garcia

Executive Director

Frank is a change leader who has been championing immigrant rights and progressive public policies for over 20 years. In addition to several executive management positions with the State of Oregon, he served as a senior policy advisor to former Gov. John Kitzhaber where he advised on affirmative action and immigration issues and introduced diversity, equity, and inclusion frameworks to address the state service delivery system, decision-making about the state workforce, and policy-making. Frank is also credited for facilitating the 2013 passage of the Oregon Driver Card Bill and Tuition Equity for undocumented residents.

He also served as the Affirmative Action Director for the Oregon State Bar where he ushered in diversity, equity, and inclusion as a new policy framework for access to justice. Mr. Garcia left public service to form a consultancy focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion and has worked with businesses, government entities, and nonprofits. Mr. Garcia holds a BA in Sociology from PSU and a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from NYU.

As the son of migrant workers who settled in Dayton, OR, where he was raised, Frank brings personal experience and passion to the work of ICS and is excited by the opportunity to support and strengthen the immigrant community through our important mission.


Headshot Photo of Arnie Delgado

Arnie Delgado

Operations Manager

Prior to joining ICS in November of 2021 as the Operations Manager, Arnie worked as an Office Manager for five years at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Arnie has an extensive operations/banking career in Tampa Florida, before moving to Portland in 2016.

Arnie is a Panamanian immigrant with a B.A. in Business Administration from Santa Maria La Antigua University.


Headshot Photo of Gina Vorderstrasse, Director of Development & Communications

Gina Vorderstrasse

Director of Development & Communications

Gina Vorderstrasse is a dedicated humanitarian professional with more than 10 years of experience in international humanitarian assistance and disaster response. Prior to joining ICS in May 2022, Gina served in a variety of leadership, policy, program management, and communications roles at the U.S. Agency for International Development, including by responding to complex humanitarian emergencies in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan. Gina also previously supported programs analyzing conflict and promoting human rights at the U.S. Institute of Peace and through non-governmental organizations in Cambodia, Egypt, Nicaragua, and Rwanda. Gina holds a Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts in International and Comparative Policy Studies from Reed College.


Headshot Photo of Grecia Rojas, Administrative Assistant

Grecia Rojas

Administrative Assistant

Grecia joined the team at ICS as the Operations Administrative Assistant in July 2021, helping facilitate the innerworkings of the ICS offices and providing administrative aid to all staff as we do our important work providing legal aid to those in need.

Before joining ICS, Grecia previously worked with the Walla Walla Immigrant Rights Coalition based in Southeastern Washington as well as working as a Paraeducator within the Walla Walla Public Schools, helping educate children and families affected by learning disabilities. Grecia is the daughter of an immigrant family from Oaxaca, Mexico and the first in her family to graduate from college with a B.A. from Whitman College


Headshot Photo of Jazmin Muñoz, Paralegal / Unaccompanied Children Program

Jazmin Muñoz

Paralegal / Unaccompanied Children Program

Before joining ICS, Jazmin worked as a Case Manager at Central City Concern’s Recuperative Care Program. While being there, she grew a passion to help those who are disproportionately affected by societal institutions such as the healthcare, educational, and law/legal systems. She is also passionate about the importance of mental health and self-care. She went to Portland State University and received a B.S. in Social Science with a minor in Psychology. She was the first one in her family to attend and graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree.


Headshot Photo of Jessica Murphy, Paralegal/Unaccompanied Children Program

Jessica Murphy

Paralegal / Unaccompanied Children Program

Jessica (Jessie) joined ICS in October 2022 after moving to Portland from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She holds a master’s degree in Public Policy with a focus on immigration policy from Adler University in Vancouver, BC. Before joining ICS, she was a one-on-one instructor for students with learning disabilities and worked in education for several years prior, teaching both children and adults. She has a passion for empowering people through education while working to disrupt harmful systems. Jessie is excited to continue supporting youth through legal services and education in the Unaccompanied Children program and working toward a more open and equitable society.


Headshot Photo of Brenda Macario, Paralegal/General Program

Brenda Macario

Paralegal / General Program

My name is Brenda Macario Cinto, I’m from Guatemala and I’m a first-generation student who graduated from Lewis & Clark College with a B.A in Political Science and minor in Hispanic studies. My dedication for immigrant rights has led me to intern for non-profit organizations that have helped me continue learning and advocating for my community. I previously intern for the Center for Gender and Refugee studies in San Francisco. In joining the CIS team, I hope to continue learning and advocating for my community. In my free time I like to watch TV shows, listen to music, and go to different coffee shops.


Headshot Photo of Francisco Juarez, Paralegal/General Program

Francisco Juarez

Paralegal / General Program

“Francisco grew up in Seaside, California, and moved to Oregon in 2012. Prior to joining ICS, he worked with several immigration attorneys and firms in the Portland area and has extensive experience with U visas, removal defense, asylum, VAWA, and family-based petitions. Francisco is a native Spanish speaker.

Francisco holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Portland State University, where he graduated with honors. Francisco is an active charter member of Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society and looks forward to becoming an Accredited Representative with ICS.

Outside the office, Francisco enjoys tinkering with appliances, playing soccer, and joining his wife and three daughters on various adventures in the Northwest.”


Headshot Photo of Gabriela Tiburcio, Paralegal/General Program

Gabriela Tiburcio

Paralegal / General Program

Before joining ICS, Gabriela volunteered at immigration organizations like CAUSA and PCUN. She is a first-generation college student and is graduating from Portland State University with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. She hopes to one day be an immigration attorney and continue to advocate for immigration reform.


Headshot Photo of Jean Sheppard, Staff attorney/ Hood River office

Jean Sheppard

Staff Attorney / Hood River Office

Jean Sheppard is a Staff Attorney in the Hood River Office specializing in general immigration law such as affirmative immigration applications, waivers of unlawful presence, deferred action, consular processing and visas for victims of crime or domestic violence. She is very active in the Hood River community, serving as President of the Hood River County Library District, and on the Board of Directors for the Hood River Rotary Club, and the United Way of the Columbia Gorge. Jean is a passionate advocate of foreign exchanges for young adults and currently serves as the Youth Exchange Coordinator for the Hood River Rotary Club. Jean lives with her husband on their 30-acre pear orchard in Hood River.



Headshot Photo of Becky Hillstrom, Staff Attorney, Unaccompanied Children Program

Becky Hillstrom

Staff Attorney / Unaccompanied Children Program

Becky decided to attend law school after helping a friend from Sudan, who came to the U.S. as a refugee, petition for a visa for her husband. Becky graduated from Willamette Law School in May 2022 and joined ICS in July 2022. Becky has a deep love for the Hispanic/Latino and Arab cultures as she has lived in Chile, Spain, Bahrain, and Jordan. She is excited to help reunite more families and work with unaccompanied immigrant children.

Outside of work Becky loves spending time with her husband and three kids. Her family loves exploring the outdoors, traveling, and attending sporting events.


Headshot Photo of Wendy Diaz, Admin assistant / Unaccompanied Children Program

Wendy Diaz

Admin. Assistant / Unaccompanied Children Program

Wendy Diaz was born in a small village in San Marcos, Guatemala. She came into the U.S. when she was 15 years old, she is a former client from ICS. She is currently studies at PCC, studying for bachelors’ degree on Social Work. She is honored and thankful to be part of ICS, she wants to help and give back to the community.


Headshot Photo of Nora Cuevas, Paralegal/Hood River Office

Nora Cuevas

Paralegal / Hood River Office

Nora grew up in Yakima, Washington and moved to the beautiful Columbia Gorge in May of 2018.

Prior to joining ICS, Nora worked as a Certified/Registered Medical Assistant and Clinical Support Manager. Her passion is to help people as much as possible. As the daughter of migrant workers, she is seeking to build her career in immigration to help immigrant families and community.

On her free time, Nora enjoys attending live sporting events, concerts, hiking and spending time with her husband and family.


Headshot Photo of Kitsia Solis, Client Coordinator / Portland Office

Kitsia Solis

Paralegal / Unaccompanied Children Program

Kitsia Solis joined ICS staff in December 2022. She is a Portland, Oregon native who has the ambition and drive to help people in need. Kitsia has a passion for social work, prior to ICS she worked at a domestic violence shelter advocating for families. As a daughter of Mexican Immigrants, Kitsia knows firsthand how difficult this process can be and just wants to strive to help families and individuals reach their immigration goals.


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