Immigration Staff Attorney

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Immigration Staff Attorney [Community Justice Attorney] will provide legal representation to low-income immigrants in immigration proceedings before the Newark and Elizabeth Immigration Courts. The Attorney will meet with clients, counsel them on eligibility for relief under the immigration laws, prepare applications for submission to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Immigration Courts, and represent clients before both agencies, as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES: The key responsibilities of the Community Justice Attorney include the following:

1. Provide consultations to immigrant community members to determine eligibility for immigration status and benefits.
2. Provide direct representation to immigrant youth, asylum seekers, families, and others before USCIS, local Immigration Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and where appropriate, before Federal Courts.
3. Maintain electronic and paper case files in up to date working order.
4. Work with AFSC’s Social Workers, where possible, to meet clients’ social service needs.
5. Mentor legal interns, fellows, and volunteers for work on individual cases, legal screenings, and related work as necessary.
6. Participate in in-person and virtual training and information sessions to provide community members with information on immigration laws and policies.
7. Support efforts for program clients to participate in organizing, advocacy and leadership development efforts.
8. Provide training to service organizations, government agencies, schools and other groups on immigration law and policy.
9. Support programmatic efforts to engage in narrative change through media work.
10. Assist with occasional screenings, pro se clinics, and other special initiatives to further support immigrant community members.
11. Participate in AFSC staff meetings and case reviews.
12. Assist in the documentation of the project’s experiences and in the preparation of quarterly funding reports.
13. Attend immigration law training sessions and conferences.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Admission to a state bar required; with preference to individuals admitted to practice in New Jersey.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Two years’ experience in immigration law \ preferred, particularly in removal defense. Internships or clinical experience can count toward needed experience. e.
2. Understanding of and willingness to apply principles behind movement lawyering.
3. Demonstrated cultural competency.
4. Fluency in written and oral English and Spanish.
5. Excellent analytical, writing and communication skills.
6. Experience and comfort with public speaking.
7. Self-motivated; detail oriented, well-organized, and able to effectively prioritize assignments and workload.
8. Ability to communicate effectively and build mutually respectful relationships with co-workers, clients, and the public.
9. Familiarity with software applications in a Windows and cloud-based 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.

1. 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.