Governor Walz has chosen Veena Iyer, who serves as the executive director at the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM), to be one of the two new judges for the Second Judicial District covering Ramsey County. She will remain at ILCM for a few weeks to ensure a smooth transition before assuming her judicial duties.
Iyer conveyed a blend of emotions, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of her transition. While she expressed fondness for the unique community at ILCM, highlighting its resilience, creativity, empathy, and compassion, she also expressed gratitude for the opportunity presented by Governor Walz. As the child of immigrants, serving as the Executive Director of ILCM has been a lifelong honor for her. She expressed pride in the collective efforts made to support immigrant and refugee families across Minnesota and North Dakota.
In the official announcement, Governor Walz praised Iyer’s diverse practice background and her understanding of the justice system’s impact on communities. He expressed confidence in her ability to serve as a fair and impartial judge.
ILCM is well-prepared for the transition, with a forward-thinking Board led by Chair Sarah Radosevich and a capable leadership team. Jenny Stohl Powell, the Interim Executive Director, will oversee the organization during the transition. Powell, who has served as ILCM’s Legal Director since 2019, is a respected figure in Minnesota’s immigration legal services landscape. Maya Salah, the former Board Vice Chair, will lead the search committee to find a new leader for ILCM.
Board Chair Sarah Radosevich expressed pride in Iyer’s professional advancement and confidence in ILCM’s interim leadership and dedicated staff. She affirmed the organization’s commitment to its mission of serving immigrants with dedication and expertise during this period of transition.
