Immigration Legal Assistant

Job Overview: A part of RAI, IRC’s immigration legal services program serves more than 14,000 individuals in 23 sites throughout the U.S. each year, providing accessible and critical legal representation and advice to immigrants and their families to acquire the highest level of immigration status available, keep families together, access their full rights, and successfully integrate in the U.S. The position supports legal practitioners (attorneys and/or Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited representatives) in representing clients before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and conducting community-based naturalization workshops. Legal services focus on naturalization, adjustment of status, and family reunification. The legal assistant will also coordinate the completion and submission of family reunification applications managed on behalf of the Processing Department at IRC Headquarters. The legal assistant will identify current clients eligible to file such applications and conduct community outreach to advertise the programs. The legal assistant will work with clients to prepare and submit applications to Headquarters. The legal assistant provides case status updates and transmits information to clients regarding their pending applications with the Headquarters and the U.S. Department of State. It is encouraged that staff hired in this role will work towards DOJ accreditation with support from IRC’s Immigration Technical Unit based at IRC Headquarters.

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Under the supervision of a licensed or accredited legal practitioner, provide clients information on immigration benefits before USCIS, work with clients to gather documents, and assist clients to complete applications.
• Respond to inquiries from clients regarding case status and submit inquiries on case status to USCIS and Department of State (DOS).
• Process correspondence from USCIS and DOS, including notifying clients, assisting clients to prepare responses to notices or evidence requests as appropriate, and following up with relevant parties.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date physical and electronic files and detailed case notes, enter required data in a timely manner, meet all case reporting requirements within established timelines and standards, and assist in the completion of statistical, narrative, and financial reports.
• Represent the IRC with clients, community members, and partners by receiving and returning phone calls and emails, scheduling appointments, supporting events (including group processing events), and conducting outreach for legal services.
• Maintain strict client confidentiality and observe all other ethical practices/obligations as outlined in IRC’s Immigration Program Policies Manual.
• Participate in training webinars hosted by IRC headquarters on family reunification programs of focus, including Lautenberg applications and/or P3 AORs and/or P2 CAM AORs.
• Communicate program eligibility and requirements to clients; collect documentation from clients to complete applications on their behalf.
• Complete applications in the IRIS database; monitor database for updates and corrections needed; communicate with IRC headquarters staff on any questions or corrections needed.
• Track applications to respond to client inquiries after submission.
• Pursue Department of Justice accreditation by successfully completing all vital training.
• Manage intern and volunteer support as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.

Work Experience:

• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment and with Limited English Proficient populations.
• Previous experience with immigration legal or social services is strongly preferred.
• Community-based outreach and/or work promoting immigrant rights experience is preferred.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

• Familiarity with immigration software and experience with data entry and management are a plus.
• Demonstrated dedication to immigrant rights, social justice, and/or human rights based on work experience, volunteer service, or educational activities.
• Able to work effectively in a team environment, as well as take independent initiative
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and comfortable utilizing online software and programs.
• Excellent communication skills with proficiency in written and spoken English is required.
• Proficiency or fluency in Fluent in English, both spoken and written; proficiency in language(s) spoken by client group is desired (such as, but not limited to: Spanish, Amharic, Dari, Pashto, Arabic, French, Haitian-Creole).

Working Environment:

• Standard office environment with occasional opportunities to participate in community outreach and legal assistance events.
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12-month time period.