Staff Attorney

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI); Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) in Arlington, VA, seeks a Staff Attorney to represent unaccompanied children in removal proceedings before Immigration Courts and in related family courts.

The role covers SIJS, asylum, T/U visas, VAWA, TPS, EADs, and status adjustments for cases in DMVs across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The attorney will conduct legal consultations, provide direct representation, and work within a team to uphold USCRI’s mission to protect refugees and

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with a state bar (preferably DMV).
• Minimum 2–3 years of immigration law experience.
• Prior experience with children/youth.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and editing skills.
• Spanish proficiency preferred.
• Experience representing individuals (UAC) in removal proceedings.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal consultations with UAC and assess options for their case.
• Provide direct legal representation to UAC in DMV jurisdictions (DC/MD/VA).
• Represent in Immigration Court: Master Calendar and Individual Hearings; file motions.
• Handle SIJS and SIJS custody matters; asylum, T/U visas, VAWA, TPS, EADs, and status adjustments.
• All duties are essential and may expand as required by supervisors.

Skills

Immigration law

Legal research

Client counseling

Case management

Spanish proficiency

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), established in 1911, is a nongovernmental, not-for-profit international organization dedicated to addressing the needs and rights of refugees and immigrants. USCRI, working with nearly 200 affiliates, provides legal, social, and health services to refugees, unaccompanied migrating children, trafficking survivors, and other immigrants in all 50 states, El Salvador, Honduras, Kenya, and Mexico. USCRI advocates for the rights of refugees and immigrants both nationally and globally, helping to drive humanitarian policies, practices, and law. To learn more about our work, please visit our website at www.refugees.org.

Overview

The Nuevo Comienzo, North Carolina Staff Attorney will represent our OAK program cases which include Unaccompanied Children ("UAC") in removal proceedings before Immigration Courts in Annandale, Hyattsville, Richmond, Sterling, and Baltimore, state family courts (SIJS custody), and asylum interview representation in the Arlington, Virginia Asylum Office.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Conduct legal consultations: meet with UAC and assess options related to their legal case.
• Provide direct legal representation to UAC who reside in D.C., Maryland, or Virginia (DMV).
• Representation will include but is not limited to:
• Immigration Court Representation: including Master Calendar Hearings, Individual Hearings, Motions (Motions to Continue, Motions to Terminate, Motions to Change Venue, etc.), Voluntary Departure
• SIJS and SIJS Custody
• Asylum, affirmative and defensive
• T visas
• U visas
• VAWA
• Adjustment of Status
• TPS
• EADs

All the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions. All job duties indicated are not considered an exhaustive statement and other job-related duties may be assigned as required by the supervisor(s).

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Active membership in good standing with a state bar preferably in the DMV area.
• Minimum 2-3 years of immigration legal experience
• Prior experience working with children and/or youth
• Excellent legal research, writing, and editing skills
• Spanish proficiency preferred
• Experience representing individuals, preferably UAC, in removal proceedings
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills
• Demonstrated support for USCRI's values by exhibiting respect for others, maintaining confidential information and an appreciation of a multicultural workplace.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Such accommodations must be requested by the applicant to be considered.

Additional Notes

• No telephone calls please. Position will remain open until filled.
• Work Location: In-person, Arlington, VA.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, domestic partnership status, marital status, physical or mental disability, AIDS/HIV status, age, political affiliation, genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.