Description:

Summary of Principal Responsibilities:
The Fellow will be part of A Religious Society of Friends Founded Organization's Community Justice team and will provide representation to unaccompanied immigrant children and/or similarly situated youth in removal proceedings and before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The Fellow will meet with clients, counsel them on eligibility for immigration relief, prepare applications for submission to the USCIS and the Immigration Court, and represent clients before both agencies. Also, where necessary, the Fellow will represent the client before New Jersey Family Courts.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities: The key responsibilities of the Fellow include the following:

Provide in-depth individual consultations to low-income immigrant children and youth to determine eligibility for immigration status.
Provide full representation before USCIS, the Asylum Office, local Immigration Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, Family Courts in NJ, and where appropriate, before Federal Courts.
Manage caseload and maintain client files in good order, including photocopying applications, letters, supporting documentation, and follow up work. Maintain client and case information in Docketwise or other case management systems.
Translate documents or secure translations as necessary; secure interpretation assistance, as necessary.
Work with A Religious Society of Friends Founded Organization's Social Worker to meet clients' social service needs.
Conduct presentations and trainings on the forms of immigration relief available to unaccompanied children and similarly situated youth. In collaboration with A Religious Society of Friends Founded Organization staff and other stakeholders, engage in policy and advocacy work concerning issues raised by clients.
Participate in A Religious Society of Friends Founded Organization staff meetings and case reviews.
Assist in the documentation of the program's experiences and compile and submit narrative and statistical information for inclusion in reports to funding sources.
Attend immigration law training sessions and conferences.
This 2-year Fellowship is designed as a comprehensive and immersive learning experience. The Fellow will be given a unique opportunity to gain hands-on skills and experience in providing legal representation and support to immigrant community members, particularly children and youth.

Minimum Qualifications:
Admission to the New Jersey state bar or willingness to become admitted to practice in New Jersey highly preferred.

Required Skills and Abilities:

A minimum of one year experience (including law school clinical and internship experiences) with immigration law and procedures preferred, particularly in representing unaccompanied children and similarly situated youth in removal proceedings, before the Asylum Office, and/or in family court to obtain the special findings required for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status petitions.
Understanding of and willingness to apply principles behind movement lawyering.
Demonstrated cultural competency.
Fluency in written and oral English and Spanish.
Experience and comfort with public speaking.
Self-motivated; detail oriented, well-organized and be 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 and cloud-based programs in a Windows environment, including Microsoft Office and Docketwise.
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.
Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations of A Religious Society of Friends Founded Organization 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.