Immigration Attorney

Columbia County Sanctuary; City of Hudson (NY); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Parental leave

401(k)

Professional development funds

Mileage reimbursement

Language learning stipend

Digital security benefits

Job summary

Columbia County Sanctuary Movement in Hudson, NY seeks an Immigration Staff Attorney to provide dedicated legal representation to recent arrivals and long-term residents. The role involves appearing before USCIS and immigration courts, handling affirmative relief applications, and supporting trauma-informed services for the community.

The attorney will mentor staff, collaborate with the Co-Executive Directors, and engage in outreach, rapid response, and fellowship development.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree required or anticipated.
• Active NYS bar admission required (recent graduate with upcoming bar exam acceptable).
• Strong research, writing, and analytical abilities.
• Fluency in Spanish highly preferred for client communication.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intakes with potential clients, conflict checks, and screenings for immigration relief.
• Provide case-specific legal advice and consultations to clients.
• Represent clients in removal proceedings and before USCIS.
• Prepare affirmative cases (U visas, T visas, TPS, SIJS, Asylum, naturalization) before agencies.
• Supervise and support DOJ-accredited representatives and paralegals.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Communication skills

Spanish language proficiency

Education

Juris Doctor

New York Bar admission

Job description

Columbia County Sanctuary Movement (CCSM) organizes with immigrants and allies to collectively support, empower, and defend our communities. We are a multilingual nonprofit organization dedicated to providing holistic services and education, and engaging members in campaigns for systemic change. This position is based in Hudson, New York with the ability to work a hybrid remote/in-office schedule and will report to Co-Executive Directors, Diana Cruz and Bryan MacCormack.

The Immigration Staff Attorney will provide legal representation to recent arrivals and long-term residents on both affirmative applications and in removal proceedings. The attorney can expect to appear before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, New York City Immigration Court, and Buffalo Immigration Court. The Immigration Staff Attorney will have the opportunity to work with CCSM to use creative legal remedies and gutsy advocacy strategies to challenge the unjust deportation machine and inhumane immigration legal system.

70% Legal Service Provision

• Conduct intakes with potential clients, conflict checks, and screenings for various forms of immigration relief
• Facilitate legal consultations and provide case-specific advice to clients
• Represent members and identify forms of relief in removal cases (such as defensive Asylum claim or prosecutorial discretion)
• Prepare affirmative cases (such as U-Visas/T-Visas, TPS, SIJS, Asylum, Naturalization, and family petitions) before USCIS.
• Supervise and provide technical support to DOJ-accredited representatives providing legal services to clients applying for affirmative immigration benefits before USCIS
• Travel to attend master, individual hearings, and ICE check-ins when necessary
• Maintain accurate, complete, and confidential case files
• Mentor, support, and train CCSM staff on complex immigration matters and the provision of trauma-informed services
• Work closely with Co-Executive Director and Community Navigator to provide holistic services and referrals to clients
• Strengthen CCSM’s existing Rapid Response work and hotline by providing legal expertise and, at times, legal representation to detained members
• Provide the support and program development needed to host a Justice Corps Fellowship in the near future

20% Administration

• Administer legal service systems and track program metrics
• Work with grant manager on accurate legal service grant applications
• Contribute to managing legal service program budget
• Supervise DOJ accredited representatives and/or paralegals
• Support strengthening and administering legal service policies

10 % Outreach, Education and External Relations

• Inform and provide orientation about defenses against removal proceedings and the court process to community members
• Facilitate remote court appearances from CCSM’s office rather than traveling to NYC or Buffalo
• Identify and collaborate with local or state partner organizations on appellate and impact-oriented litigation efforts related to detention conditions, labor rights, and other priorities.
• Establish and maintain relationships with community partners, immigration service providers, pro bono attorneys, private attorneys, and our legal service funders.

Desired Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor active NYS bar admission required (recent graduate with upcoming bar exam acceptable)
• Highly Preferred: Ability to communicate effectively with monolingual Spanish-speakers (i.e., advanced Spanish skills)
• Excellent research, writing, analytical, and communication skills
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in immigration law or direct legal services (can include law school immigration clinic programs) and experience with both affirmative applications and removal defense
• Knowledge and adherence to community and movement lawyering principles
• Commitment to CCSM’s mission, immigrant communities, and principles of collective liberation
• Valid driver’s license, access to a car, and ability to travel
• Relationships with immigrant communities
• Directly impacted by or experience with the immigration system preferred

This is a full-time position (approximately 40 hours a week) with a starting salary of$ 80,121.60.

We are committed to compensating our team fairly and reducing the inequity that can come from salary negotiations. The posted salary and benefits are the best we can offer at this time, and we will continue to build a benefits package that supports all staff.

Benefits include:

• Unlimited paid time off with prior approval
• 90% Health and 100% dental, vision, and long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• Equity-based compensation adjustments
• Paid Holidays and end-of-year office closure
• 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave
• Work computer, cell phone, and mileage reimbursement
• Language learning stipend and professional development funds
• Interpretation and safety trainings
• Digital security benefits package (professional and personal)

CCSM is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages people of color, women, working-class people, LGBTQIA+ people, immigrants, formerly incarcerated people, and people with disabilities to apply. Statistics show that people with marginalized identities often do not apply for positions when they do not meet all qualifications. We encourage you to push past imposter syndrome and apply anyway.