Staff Attorney- Immigrant Children's Program - Durham, NC
Church World Service, Inc.

About CWS

Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home.

Inclusion of a cover letter and a current resume are required.

Purpose

To provide legal representation on a variety of family-based and humanitarian immigration matters before DHS, the Immigration Courts, and the BIA with special focus on vulnerable populations and children in ORR custody. Must be a licensed attorney able to practice in the US. Must be bilingual English and Spanish. Must be Fluent in Spanish and able to pass a language assessment exam.

Responsibilities

• Active member of North Carolina State Bar, in good standing and fluent in Spanish (both required).
• Conduct in-person legal screenings with clients, including unaccompanied minors released from ORR custody, for prospective immigration benefit eligibility such as, but not limited to, SIJS, U visa, T visa, S visa, VAWA, Asylum, Deferred action, EADs, and Adjustment of Status.
• Advice minors and their guardians regarding immigration benefits and remedies available under the INA, CFR, and relevant government agency policies.
• Promptly communicate with clients about their case and keep them updated via calls, text messages, and/or WhatsApp.
• Properly manage in-office client appointments and professional duties to ensure thorough and professional representation of client interests.
• Prepare legal documents such as complaints, pleadings, motions, FOIAs, and other relevant documents for the client's case.
• Prepare clients for state and federal court appearances and/or USCIS interviews.
• Conduct legal research pertaining to immigration law that benefits the unaccompanied minor.
• Building trustworthy relationships with clients by zealously advocating for clients with relevant government actors via telephone and correspondence.
• Manage caseloads of pending immigration cases.
• Work in a team and collaborate with other team members to provide immigration legal services to the community.
• Conduct and ensure adequate representation for CWS clients at USCIS and EOIR, including but not limited to: Immigration Interviews, Asylum Hearings, Master Calendar Hearings, Individual Hearings, Motions, Submission of briefs to the Board of Immigration Appeals, and other related immigration services.
• Negotiate with USCIS officers and Supervisors at local District Office or Service Centers to rectify problems faced by clients.
• Draft supplemental statements, rebuttals to Notices of Intent to Deny and Requests for Evidence; prepare and file immigration applications and motions; prepare other ancillary immigration papers, including Freedom of Information Act requests.
• Represent CWS/IRP at meetings, and various Task Force meetings, related to immigration issues.
• Create and present Know Your Rights information to clients both on a one-on-one basis and in group settings, specifically to unaccompanied minors in ORR custody.
• Respond to requests for information posed by local staff and other legal service providers, as appropriate.
• Provide legal and programmatic information for the development of grant applications and new programs on behalf of CWS/Lancaster legal and immigration services.
• Assists the ICP Manager, Associate Director, and/or Office Director in preparing reports and compiling data as requested.
• Keeps supervisor informed of complaints, issues and/or problems for timely investigation, and resolution.
• Works closely with supervisor to keep informed about immigrant issues and conducts legal research to support filed immigration applications.
• Updates supervisor regarding client's case and representation during team meetings and one-on-one meetings.
• Represents the program at meetings and speaking engagements relevant to the responsibilities of the position.
• Establish and cultivate collaborative relationships with community partners.
• Community speaking engagements/Networking/Forums.
• Undertakes other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Active member of North Carolina State Bar
• Experience with immigration representation and other areas of Immigration law, including asylum representation and working with vulnerable populations and children.

Other Skills:

• Spanish language skills required. Superior written and verbal communication skills are required.
• The successful candidate must be computer literate, with proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word and Access) and internet applications.
• Driver's license in good standing required as well as personal vehicle for frequent, reimbursable local travel.

Benefits

CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- 403 (b) Retirement Plan
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days Off after 2 Years)
- 14 Official Holidays
- 12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly)
- Life Insurance and AD&D
- Long Term and Short-Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Commuter Benefits

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