Description:
Purpose:To provide legal representation on a variety of family-based and humanitarian immigration matters before DHS, the Immigration Courts, and the BIA with special focus on vulnerable populations and children in ORR custody
Responsibilities:
- Conduct legal screenings with clients, including unaccompanied minors in ORR custody; prepare clients for court appearances and/or USCIS interviews.
- Create and present Know Your Rights information to clients both on a one-on-one basis and in group settings, specifically to unaccompanied minors in ORR custody.
- Ensure adequate representation for CWS clients at USCIS and EOIR, including but not limited to: Immigration Interviews, Asylum Hearings; Master Calendar Hearings; and submission of briefs to the Board of Immigration Appeals.
- Negotiate with USCIS officers and Supervisors at local District Office or Service Centers to rectify problems faced by clients.
- Draft supplemental statements, rebuttals to Notices of Intent to Deny and Requests for Evidence; prepare and file immigration applications and motions; prepare other ancillary immigration papers, including Freedom of Information Act requests.
- Properly manage client appointments and professional duties to ensure thorough and professional representation of client interests.
- Represent CWS/IRP at meetings, and various Task Force meetings, related to immigration issues.
- Respond to requests for information posed by local staff and other legal service providers, as appropriate.
- Conduct legal research to support filed immigration applications.
- Provide legal and programmatic information for the development of grant applications and new programs on behalf of CWS/Lancaster legal and immigration services.
- Assists the ICP Manager, Associate Director, and/or Office Director in preparing reports and compiling data as requested.
- Keeps supervisor informed of complaints, issues and/or problems for timely investigation and resolution
- Works closely with supervisor to keep informed about immigrant issues and conducts legal research to support filed immigration applications.
- Represents the program at meetings and speaking engagements relevant to the responsibilities of the position.
- Undertakes other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
- JD degree required. Active member of North Carolina State Bar.
- A minimum of 2 to 4 years' experience with immigration representation and other areas of Immigration law, including asylum representation and working with vulnerable populations and children.
Other Skills:
- Spanish language skills required. Superior written and verbal communication skills are required.
- The successful candidate must be computer literate, with proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word and Access) and internet applications.
- Driver's license in good standing required as well as personal vehicle for frequent, reimbursable local travel.