Legal Assistant, Immigrant Rights Program

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker religious organization that promotes lasting peace with justice. The Legal Assistant will support the Immigrant Rights Program by providing immigration legal services to low-income immigrants, focusing on family-based immigration filings and maintaining client caseloads.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Supervising Accredited Representative, conduct initial consultations with clients to determine eligibility for various immigration benefits including , with a primary focus on family-based immigration, VAWA and U-visas, adjustment of status and naturalization applications. Draft client declarations, affidavits, and application cover letters
• Gather, review, and organize evidence and support materials
• Communicate with clients regarding case status, documentation needs, and USCIS notices
• Track deadlines, receipts, RFEs, and case outcomes
• Maintain client files in good order and up to date
• Respond to calls from immigrants who call our hotline and direct them to available services and resources
• Compile quarterly narrative and statistical data regarding case consultation and case representation. Assist in the documentation of the project’s experiences and in the preparation of AFSC quarterly reports and reports on funding sources
• Receive immigration fees from clients, provide receipts, and send bills as necessary to clients
• Assist in the coordination of pro se community workshops. Translate documents from Spanish to English
• Participate in AFSC staff meetings and case reviews
• Attend periodic immigration law training sessions and conferences
• Participate in person and virtual training and information sessions to provide information on immigration laws and policies to community members
• Participate in advocacy efforts to effect changes in immigration law and policy
• Regular attendance and punctuality are required
• Operates safely in all conditions and follows policies and procedures
• Other duties and projects assigned

Skills

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent years of experience required
• One year's experience in immigration law, specifically with VAWA, U visas, and battered spouse waivers required
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and interest in immigrant rights
• Must take initiative, be able to exercise sound judgment, be highly organized and detail-oriented, and possess strong time-management skills
• Fluency in written and oral English and Spanish required
• Demonstrated success working with vulnerable populations
• Strong written and oral communication skills including public speaking
• Self-motivated, detail oriented, well-organized, able to prioritize assignments and workload
• Ability to communicate effectively and build mutually respectful relationships with co-workers, clients, and the public
• Familiarity with software applications in a Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Docket wise
• Ability to work in the evenings and/or weekends and to travel, as required
• Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment
• Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology
• Must be capable of working under tight time constraints in a high-volume environment with multiple priorities
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff
• Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual
• Prior experience in an immigration law setting preferred

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan
• Term life
• STD & LTD
• Defined benefit pension plan
• 403b match
• Vacation
• PTO
• Sabbaticals
• Extended leaves
• Holidays
• Participation in unemployment and worker’s compensation and social security

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