Staff Attorney or BIA Accredited Representative

Immigration Equality – New York, NY

Immigration Equality seeks a staff attorney or a BIA accredited representative to help run our pro se asylum project for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and HIV-positive immigrants. This project is new and will be created by the staff attorney or accredited representative under the supervision of the legal director.

Founded in 1994, Immigration Equality is the country’s premiere legal aid and advocacy organization for LGBT and HIV-positive immigrants. With the participation of 90 top national law firms, Immigration Equality’s national pro bono asylum project represents LGBT and HIV-positive people fleeing persecution. Together, we represent more than 500 immigrants in 22 states.

Still, many LGBT and HIV-positive immigrants live in rural areas or are detained in remote facilities far away from pro bono attorneys. Immigration Equality’s pro se project will address this unmet need by providing the tools necessary for LGBT and HIV-positive immigrants to apply for asylum affirmatively on their own and to defend themselves in removal proceedings.

This full time position reports to the Legal Director.

Staff Attorney or BIA Accredited Representative

Responsibilities

• Create “how to” manuals in English and Spanish for pro se litigants;

• Create instructional videos in English and Spanish for pro se litigants;

• Maintain “office hours” for pro se litigants seeking advice;

• Coordinate and host legal clinics every other month;

• Counsel detained immigrants in (a) creating complaints against abuse in detention, (b) applying for parole or bond, and (c) filing defensive applications in removal proceedings;

• Provide pro se asylum applicants with country condition material packets;

• Respond to questions from the general public through our web-based legal inquiry portal;

• Assist the communications team in identifying individuals with compelling stories for media opportunities;

• Conduct intake interviews for potential clients;

• Engage in direct legal services sparingly, but as needed;

• Other legal work as assigned.

Qualifications

Our office is a fun, open-plan space that enables free flow of ideas. The ideal candidate is a well-organized, extremely detail-oriented, resourceful individual. The right person for the job will have:

• JD (or equivalent) with license to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction OR full accreditation from the Board of Immigration Appeals;

• 2+ years’ relevant experience in asylum law and removal defense;

• Spanish fluency (spoken and written);

• Ability to provide reliable advice about the immigration process consistent with ethical rules limiting a person’s ability to do so without becoming counsel of record;

• Excellent research, writing, and public speaking skills;

• Ability to work well on a variety of tasks simultaneously;

• Ability to work some evenings and weekends;

• Ability to travel for work; and

• Ability and eagerness to work with indigent, vulnerable individuals.

Environment

Immigration Equality is an affirmative action employer: immigrants, transgender people, and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Immigration Equality is a progressive organization committed to an open plan office. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to collaborate within a diverse and inclusive environment.

Immigration Equality is a mission-driven organization full of smart, dedicated people. If you want to work at the cutting edge of the two most potent civil rights issues of our time, and do it with terrific colleagues in a fast-paced, nimble organization that seeks results, this is the place for you.

Send a chronological resume and compelling cover letter to jobs@immigrationequality.org with “Pro Se Project” in the subject line. Only applicants chosen for an interview will be contacted.

No Phone Calls

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