Staff Attorney

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI); San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

USCRI, a national nonprofit, seeks a Staff Attorney to provide direct legal services to unaccompanied migrant children (UAC) in ORR care. You will conduct orientations, offer legal consultations, and represent UAC in immigration matters to ensure access to protection and relief.

The role requires a J.D. from an accredited law school, active state bar status, and 2–3 years of immigration experience, with Spanish proficiency preferred. This is a full-time on-site position in San Diego.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with a state bar.
• 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.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee legal orientations, which are presentations concerning the rights and responsibilities of UAC in the immigration system.
• Conduct legal consultations: meet with UAC and assess options related to their legal case.
• Direct representation of UAC.
• Provide direct legal representation to UAC who are currently in ORR care and who have not left the United States.
• Representation will include but is not limited to: Immigration Court Representation (Master Calendar, Individual Hearings, Motions, etc.), SIJS, Asylum, T visas, U visas, VAWA, Adjustment of Status, TPS, EADs.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Legal editing

Spanish proficiency

Project management

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

Staff Attorney, UAC Legal Services, supports the newly awarded contract from ORR to provide direct legal services to UAC (Unaccompanied Alien Children) who are currently in ORR care. Tasks included are legal orientations, legal consultations, direct legal representation, data collection, analysis and reporting.

The Staff Attorney will oversee legal orientations, provide legal consultations and direct legal representation to UAC in ORR care.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Legal Orientation/Legal Consultations

• Oversee legal orientations, which are presentations concerning the rights and responsibilities of UAC in the immigration system. These will occur in shelters where children are located.
• Conduct legal consultations: meet with UAC and assess options related to their legal case.
• Direct Representation of UAC
• Provide direct legal representation to UAC who are currently in ORR care and who have not left the United States.
• 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
• Asylum, Affirmative and Defensive
• T visas
• U visas
• VAWA
• Adjustment of Status
• TPS
• EADs

All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions. All job duties indicated are not be 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
• Minimum 2-3 years of immigration legal experience
• Prior experience working with children and/or youth
• Excellent legal research, writing, and editing skills
• Preferred Qualifications
• Experience representing individuals, preferably UAC, in removal proceedings
• Spanish proficiency
• 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.

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.