Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel

A Ministry of Disciples Home Missions

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About

Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel is a part-time immigration attorney
serving the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) by providing:

clip - files  Representation for Pastors
clip - phone  Immigration Legal Consultations
clip - toolbox  Self-Help Resources
clip - urgent  Legal Updates

As the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) strives to be faithful to the gospel call and to meet the needs of sojourners who are already a part of our denomination, we often face difficult situations that require legal expertise in immigration matters. We seek to respond to the real human needs of our immigrant members, pastors, and congregations in ways that are helpful and responsible.

The Immigration Legal Counsel position, located in Disciples Home Missions, is funded by several General Ministries, Racial/Ethnic Ministries, Regions, and your Week of Compassion offerings.

 

Staff

Natalie B. Teague, Esq.

After growing up on a certified organic dairy farm in Central North Carolina, Natalie studied piano in New York City until her career interests shifted to public service after 9/11. Natalie spent a summer backpacking throughout Guatemala to learn Spanish before eventually completing a degree in Latin American Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  While at UNC, she was awarded a Burch Fellowship to collaborate with a worker-owned, women’s sewing cooperative near Managua, Nicaragua. Natalie also studied social change initiatives in Oaxaca and Chiapas, Mexico with the School for International Training.  All in all, Natalie has traveled, studied, and volunteered extensively in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica and is fluent in Spanish.

Natalie worked as a bilingual health care worker and a community college literacy center coordinator before joining the Charter Class of Elon University School of Law to earn her J.D. with a concentration in Public Interest Law. Throughout law school, she worked as a research and teaching assistant on humanitarian law issues, interned at a refugee resettlement agency, and completed human rights coursework at the University for Peace in Costa Rica. Upon graduation, Natalie received the N.C. State Bar Pro Bono Award for Elon Law, logging over 675 hours of pro bono service while a law student.

As a mission driven attorney, Natalie’s career has revolved around advocating for immigrants and women. Natalie previously practiced immigration law in a faith-based nonprofit and as a solo practitioner in private practice. Due to her continued commitment to service as an immigration attorney, Natalie has been recognized as a Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Co-Honoree by the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She has also been awarded the Leary Davis Service and Leadership in the Community Award for Elon Law Alumni and the Latino/a Alumni Award from the Carolina Latino/a Initiative at UNC Chapel Hill. Additionally, she has worked on both sides of the criminal justice system in a federal public defender office and as a state prosecutor of cases involving domestic and sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking. Natalie has taught undergraduate courses – and will speak to anyone who will listen – about immigration policy, the dynamics of domestic violence, and trauma-informed advocacy. To balance work and life, Natalie finds solace and resilience in yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices, which she also teaches. Natalie lives in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina with her husband and two “spirited” rescue dogs that herd their two mischievous rescue kitties. Natalie is a licensed attorney in the State of North Carolina, and her practice is limited to immigration and naturalization law.

A ministry of
Disciples Home Missions
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Refugee & Immigration Ministries

If you care about refugees and immigrants, there are many ways you and your congregation can get involved.
Refugee & Immigration Ministries equips Disciples to resettle new refugee families and advocate for immigrants. Contact Sharon Stanley-Rea, Director of RIM, for more information.

Recent Legal Updates

  • Stop the “Public Charge” Rule
  • Open Letter to Clients of Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel
  • Disciples Speak Out for Immigrant Children
  • It’s Been A Year
  • DACA Ending

Disclaimer

This website contains general immigration information only. It is not legal advice. Using this information does not establish an attorney-client relationship with Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel. Disciples Home Missions does not agree to represent you in your immigration case or before any government agency unless contracted expressly in writing.

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