Immigration Paralegal
Atlanta, GA
Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta seeks an Immigration Paralegal to assist in the provision of immigration legal services. The need for legal representation for immigration communities in Georgia is critical. Holding over 10% of all immigration detainees in the United States, Georgia is a leader in immigration detention. The Atlanta Immigration Court’s denial rates are also amongst the highest in the country, making deportation defense legal representation even more crucial.
Responsibilities and Duties:
Support the Legal Services Department’s deportation defense caseload, including bond and parole proceedings, asylum, withholding of removal, relief under the Convention Against Torture, U nonimmigrant status, T nonimmigrant status, VAWA, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status with applicable waivers, motions to reopen, and appeals;
Assist attorneys and legal representatives with all phases of representation, including conducting intakes, document collection, research, preparing filings, maintaining case files, client communication, recording information in case management database, and translation and interpretation;
Facilitate social service referrals to community organizations and other service providers;
Travel to immigration detention centers in Georgia to meet with detainees (once safe to do so per public health guidelines and organizational policy);
Perform administrative tasks and general office duties such as appointment scheduling, answering phones, handling mail, scanning, copying, and recordkeeping;
Participate in community outreach and educational activities, including Know-Your-Rights workshops and citizenship application assistance clinics;
Assist with public communications related to the Legal Services Department;
Contribute to grant applications and reports;
Work closely and collaboratively with other staff at Advancing Justice-Atlanta to support the organization's work.
Requirements:
Local to the Atlanta area, with access to reliable transportation. The position will be partially remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic but will require multiple days per week in the Advancing Justice – Atlanta office in Norcross, GA. Precautions are in place to ensure safe access to the office.
Bachelor’s degree or paralegal certificate;
A sincere desire to advocate for social change in immigrant communities through legal services and in a community setting;
Strong computer and other clerical skills;
Excellent communication, analytical, organizational, and writing skills;
Demonstrated ability to work effectively and respectfully with a diverse client population as well as with community members;
Flexibility to attend evening and weekend events and meetings, as needed.
Preferred Qualifications:
Prior experience as a paralegal or legal assistant;
Fluency in Spanish or one Asian language (Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Urdu/Hindi, Arabic).
Salary:
The salary range for this position is commensurate with experience and is based on principles of internal equity with a generous benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
To Apply:
Send a resume, cover letter, 3 references, and a writing sample to Palmer Lawrence at plawrence@advancingjustice-atlanta.org. No phone calls or inquiry emails, please. The position will remain open until filled.
Legal Program Intern
Atlanta, GA
Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta is seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as our Legal Program Intern to assist with the design and execution of our citizenship program. In 2020, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta helped over 500 Lawful Permanent Residents to naturalize free of charge in Georgia. In addition, by receiving fee waiver legal assistance, applicants saved around $40,000 in U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization filing fees.
The Program Intern will work closely with the Legal Program Coordinator and others to execute the day-to-day operations of the naturalization project. This is an intern position that is ideal for college students that have excelled in their coursework and have a demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks with great attention-to-detail and who have an interest in serving communities of color.
Responsibilities and Duties:
Local to the Atlanta area, with access to reliable transportation. The position will largely be remote for the time being due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but will likely require limited travel to and from the Advancing Justice – Atlanta office in Norcross, GA for certain tasks and local venues where the in-person events will be hosted (i.e. local public libraries). Precautions are in place to ensure safe access to the office and other locations.
Assist the Legal Program Coordinator with outreach strategies related to naturalization workshops, such as contacting community members, business owners, or churches.
Help promote naturalization events on social media.
Attend all naturalization clinics and help to prepare the proper materials such as N400 applications, fee waiver applications, addendums, educational and outreach materials.
Communicate with applicants registered for naturalization workshops and clinics regarding potential eligibility and required documentation.
Help enter and collect data to prepare grant reports.
Assist the Legal Program Coordinator with screening applicants who are seeking naturalization application assistance and provide information about the events.
Support with in-language translations when needed.
Requirements:
Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate college program.
Experience working in the nonprofit or government sector, with immigration law preferred.
Prior experience working with/ties to low-income immigrants and communities of color preferred, but not required.
Excellent computer skills with proven facility with data management, process flow, spreadsheet and database tracking systems.
Reliable transportation. Driver’s license and own vehicle are required. Regular travel throughout Metro-Atlanta and occasional travel outside the Metro area will be required.
Strong writing, analytical, interpersonal, time-management, and communications skills required.
Must be organized, detail-oriented, and have the ability to work effectively under pressure in both a team setting and individually.
Experience working with nonprofit organizations, community groups, and government agencies is preferred.
Language ability in Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, or some other Asian language is preferred.
Reports to: Advancing Justice-Atlanta’s Program Associate
Start Date: Fall semester
Minimum Qualification: Currently enrolled in College.
Salary: Stipend disbursed upon successful completion of the internship program.
Position Type: Internship
Submission deadline: Please send your résumé, cover letter, writing sample, and two references (note—not recommendation letters) to Sol Ochoa, Legal Program Coordinator, at sochoa@advancingjustice-atlanta.org with the subject line “Legal Program Intern.” Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and earlier submissions will receive priority.
Senior Staff Attorney
Atlanta, GA
Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta seeks a Senior Staff Attorney to provide and assist in the supervision of immigration legal services to individuals in removal proceedings. Holding over 10% of all immigration detainees in the United States, Georgia is a leader in immigration detention. The Atlanta Immigration Court’s denial rates are also amongst the highest in the country, making the need for deportation defense even more critical. This opportunity is geared towards an attorney with at least three years of experience practicing before immigration agencies.
Main Responsibilities
Independently manage a caseload of deportation defense cases, including bond and parole proceedings, asylum, withholding of removal, relief under the Convention Against Torture, U nonimmigrant status, T nonimmigrant status, VAWA, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status with applicable waivers, motions to reopen, and appeals;
Assist in the supervision of the legal work of staff attorneys and legal representatives in support of both detained and non-detained individuals in removal proceedings;
Conduct immigration consultations and provide pro se legal advice;
Travel to detention centers in Georgia to meet with detainees (once safe to do so per public health guidelines and organizational policy);
Provide topic-specific trainings in immigration law and practice for legal staff;
Participate in community outreach and educational activities, including Know-Your-Rights workshops and citizenship clinics;
Develop relationships with stakeholders and community partners;
Contribute to grant applications and reports.
Requirements
Local to the Atlanta area, with access to reliable transportation. The position will largely be remote for the time being due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but will likely require limited travel to and from the Advancing Justice – Atlanta office in Norcross, GA for certain tasks. Precautions are in place to ensure safe access to the office.
J.D. from an accredited university;
Membership in good standing in the bar of any state and/or the District of Columbia;
A sincere desire to advocate for social change in immigrant communities through legal services and in a community setting;
Excellent communication, analytical, organizational, and writing skills;
Demonstrated ability to work effectively and respectfully with a diverse client population as well as with community members;
Flexibility to attend evening and weekend events and meetings, as needed.
Preferred qualifications
At least three years of experience practicing before immigration agencies;
Prior experience training staff and supervising casework;
Fluency in Spanish or one Asian language (Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Urdu/Hindi, Arabic).
Selection will be based on a variety of factors, including the applicant’s academic and professional qualifications, experience as an attorney representing immigrants before federal immigration agencies, knowledge of immigration law, and whether the applicant has a demonstrated commitment to the public interest and community lawyering.
Salary/Benefits
The salary range for this position is commensurate with experience and is based on principles of internal equity with a generous benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
To Apply
Send a resume, cover letter, 3 references, and a legal writing sample (5-10 pages) to Palmer Lawrence at plawrence@advancingjustice-atlanta.org. No phone calls or inquiry emails, please. The position will remain open until filled.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, height, weight, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, HIV status, marital or domestic partner status, or religious affiliation.