Immigration Staff Attorney

Make the Road New York (MRNY) builds the power of immigrant and working-class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and survival services. Make the Road New York operates community centers in Bushwick, Brooklyn; Jackson Heights, Queens; Port Richmond, Staten Island; Brentwood, Long Island and White Plains, Westchester County. With a membership of 25,000, MRNY tackles the critical issues facing our communities, including workplace justice, tenants’ rights, immigrant rights and civil rights, TGNCIQ justice, public education, health care access, and immigration reform. (TGNCIQ = transgender, gender non-conforming, intersex and queer). MRNY is a newly unionized workplace.

MRNY is a multi-service organization. Our member-led organizing committees -- which work on the issues named above -- implement strategies to combat shared problems, and develop leadership and the capacity for civic participation. We also provide an array of high-quality bilingual services: We offer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Spanish-language literacy, computer literacy, citizenship preparation, and in-school and after-school youth programs. We have a robust legal program that offers direct representation across a spectrum of practice areas, including employment law, immigration law, housing and benefits, and TGNCIQ civil rights; we also take on impact litigation as a strategy for achieving broad change. Our health program offers facilitated enrollment into health insurance programs and SNAP benefits, a community health worker home visit program, nutrition education and emergency food pantries, health care navigation, and more."

Current Opening:

We are hiring a Staff Attorney / Senior Staff Attorney to join our dynamic immigration team. The attorney will fully integrate into our team’s immigration practice and work on a broad range of cases. Please note that Make the Road is currently operating under a hybrid model where staff are required to be in the office a minimum of two days per week. This policy is subject to change. This position will be based primarily in our Bushwick office in Brooklyn, with possible work from our other offices.

Key Responsibilities but not limited to:

• Providing individualized assistance to clients currently in removal proceedings or eligible for immigration relief, in a broad range of categories including SIJ, Asylum, U/T Nonimmigrant Status, and Cancellation of Removal, including representing individuals in immigration, family and federal district court
• Assisting in community education efforts, including through the creation of written materials, KYR presentations, and popular education workshops
• Supporting MRNY members and organizing campaigns through strategic litigation, legislative advocacy, research, media work, and action support
• Participating in team and department meetings, clinics, and other initiatives
• Continuous learning and application of movement lawyering principles as well as other critical concepts that underscore our organizational approach to building power, such as racialized capitalism.
• Assisting with tracking and highlighting cases as necessary for development and grant reporting.

Requirements:

• Eligible to work in the US
• Required to be fully vaccinated with and FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine prior first day of employment
• At least 2 years of immigration legal practice experience. Any applicant who has been practicing in the field for at least five years post-Juris Doctor will be considered for the role of “Senior Staff Attorney.”
• Admission (or eligibility for admission) to practice law in New York State or the possibility of waiving into the state.
• Spanish language proficiency.
• Experience with populations that make up major portions of Make the Road’s membership – such as documented and undocumented immigrants, individuals facing domestic violence, members of TGNCIQ communities, those who have experienced the criminal legal system, and youth

Job Competencies:

• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and strong attention to detail
• Be highly ethical, professional, and team oriented with a passion for excellence and eagerness to help the department meet our goals.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and complete assignments under strict deadlines with minimal supervision in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to work under pressure required.
• Strong legal writing and research skills.
• Flexible work schedule, some evenings or weekends required
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• High level of accountability and initiative; needs to be a self-starter and eager to do team work to support the organization as a whole
• Relevant lived experience, including, but not limited to, having been a member of a low-income, immigrant community

Salary and Benefits:

MRNY offers an excellent benefit package including health insurance, 401K, and generous paid vacation, sick, personal days. The salary range for this position is from $70,338.72 to $93,931.90

How to Apply: Please attach cover letter/resume and submit all documents to the Make the Road New York career center.

Make the Road believes that social change is best achieved through grassroots community-based organizing that flows directly from and engages the community demanding the change. As a membership-based organization, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, criminal history, or Veteran status. We strongly encourage those from historically excluded groups to apply.