Immigration Staff Attorney

University of Maryland, Baltimore; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 91,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan

Paid leave

Health insurance

Tuition remission for employees and/or

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

The University of Maryland SAFE Center for Human Trafficking Survivors seeks a bar licensed Immigration Staff Attorney dedicated to providing direct, trauma-informed immigration legal services to survivors of sex and labor trafficking. This exempt position reports to the Immigration Legal Services Director and is located in College Park, Maryland with hybrid work options.

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, handle cases from asylum to SIJS and other relief, and supervise interns.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited school.
• Two years of legal experience with at least one year in immigration law.
• Admission to a Bar in any U.S. state, district, or territory.
• Verbal and written fluency in Spanish and English; background check required.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality immigration legal services in compliance with ethical rules.
• Provide counseling and representation in asylum, T/U visas, SIJS, and related relief.
• Represent clients before USCIS, EOIR, BIA, and State Department.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary SAFE Center teams for holistic client care.
• Assist with intern recruitment, supervision, and grant reporting.

Skills

Immigration law knowledge

Organization skills

Research and writing

Advocacy skills

Critical thinking

Teamwork

Cultural competence

Trauma-informed work

Education

Juris Doctorate degree

Job description

The University of Maryland Support, Advocacy, Freedom, and Empowerment (SAFE) Center for Human Trafficking Survivors

is seeking a bar licensed Immigration Staff Attorney dedicated to the SAFE Center's mission to provide direct, trauma-informed immigration legal services to survivors of sex and labor trafficking. This role operates within a multidisciplinary services context and coordinates with the SAFE Center's social services, clinical services, and economic empowerment teams on shared matters.

This is an exempt staff position that reports to the Immigration Legal Services Director. This position is located in College Park, Maryland, and offers the flexibility of a hybrid work arrangement. Candidates will be required to complete a background check.

About the SAFE Center

The mission of the SAFE Center is to provide survivor-centered and trauma-informed services that empower trafficking survivors to heal and reclaim their lives, prevent trafficking, and serve survivors through research and advocacy. Our mission is grounded in social justice and active efforts to fight systemic racism, which is a root cause of human trafficking. The SAFE Center provides social, legal, mental health, and economic empowerment services to survivors of sex and labor trafficking of any age, nationality, or gender. We provide comprehensive legal immigration representation from affirmative petitions to removal defense. We also coordinate with low bono attorneys who specialize in areas we do not provide in-house, such as family law and consumer protection issues. More information is available on the SAFE Center's website at www.umdsafecenter.org.

Benefits Information

UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional exciting perks that employees can take advantage of. This position participates in a retirement program (pension or optional retirement plan/ORP) that must be selected and is effective on your date of hire. Exempt regular staff receive a generous PAID leave package that includes over 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year, 16 paid holidays, 3 personal leave, unlimited accrual of sick time, and comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).

UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland. All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.

Primary Duties

Direct Services

• Deliver high-quality legal services in compliance with all ethical and professional rules.
• Provide immigration advice, counseling, and direct legal representation to clients in immigration legal matters including special immigrant juvenile status, T and U visa applications, asylum and withholding of removal, removal defense, adjustment of status, employment authorization, and related immigration relief.
• Represent clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the U.S. Department of State.
• Advocate with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and other branches of law enforcement in requesting continued presence, deferred action, and advanced parole/ humanitarian parole when appropriate.
• Provide legal representation to crime victims in Maryland criminal court proceedings and in pursuing related civil remedies, such as Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB) claims, Debt Bondage Repair Act (DBRA) claims, wage claims, and petitions for protective and peace orders. (Training is available for these matters.)

Legal Services Program Support

• Facilitate legal team coordination with SAFE Center social services, economic empowerment services, and behavioral health services for holistic client care.
• Work with the team to identify needs that can be filled by law student interns and assist team with intern recruiting and supervision.
• Provide input for grant proposals and grant reporting for program funding.
• Organize and maintain client files, including timely collection and accurate input of data.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

Education: Juris Doctorate degree or equivalent from an ABA accredited school of law. Experience: Two (2) years of legal experience with at least one (1) year experience in immigration law.

Preferred Experience: Experience in relevant areas of immigration law, including immigration relief eligibility and removal defense representation preferred. Experience working with clients who may have complex trauma and a variety of legal, social services, and other needs preferred.

Certification/Licensure: Admission to a Bar Association in any U.S. State, territory or possession, or the District of Columbia at time of hire. Current, active bar membership in good standing in any U.S. State, territory or possession, or the District of Columbia preferred.

Other: Verbal and written fluency in Spanish and English. Annual financial disclosure required per Maryland State Law.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge in relevant areas of immigration law, including immigration relief eligibility and removal defense representation.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to establish priorities and meet internal and external deadlines.
• Excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to adapt legal skills to changing legal environment; facility in acquiring new subject expertise.
• Ability to apply critical thinking skills to anticipate and find the source of challenges and propose and advocate for effective solutions. Committed to creative problem solving.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including a positive, cooperative, affirming, and professional demeanor, with SAFE Center colleagues, staff, university officials, partner organizations, clients, grantors, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work as an effective team member in a multidisciplinary setting. Demonstrated cultural competency and experience working with diverse populations.
• Ability and commitment to working with clients who may have complex trauma and a variety of legal, social services, and other needs.
• Ability to demonstrate, understand, apply, and adhere to the UMB Core Values of Accountability, Civility, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence, Leadership, and Knowledge.

Hiring Range: $90,500 - $95,000, commensurate with education and experience.

UMB is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce and is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, protected veteran's status, or any other legally protected classification.

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact [e-mail]. Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination for more information.