What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Justice Attorney, Immigrant Rights Program position at American Friends Service Committee?
Status : Full-Time, Exempt
Location : Newark, NJ
Application Deadline : January 10, 2025
For consideration, please attach your Cover Letter and Resume to the online application in addition to answering the Application Questions.
Summary of Principal Responsibilities :
The Community Justice Attorney will provide legal representation to low-income immigrants in immigration proceedings before the Newark and Elizabeth Immigration Courts. The Attorney will meet with clients, counsel them on eligibility for relief under the immigration laws, prepare applications for submission to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Immigration Courts, and represent clients before both agencies, as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Essential Functions / Responsibilities : The key responsibilities of the Community Justice Attorney include the following :
- Provide consultations to immigrant community members to determine eligibility for immigration status and benefits.
- Provide direct representation to immigrant youth, asylum seekers, families, and others before USCIS, local Immigration Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and where appropriate, before Federal Courts.
- Maintain electronic and paper case files in up to date working order. .,.
- Work with AFSC's Social Workers, where possible, to meet clients' social service needs.
- Mentor legal interns, fellows, and volunteers for work on individual cases, legal screenings, and related work as necessary.
- Participate in in-person and virtual training and information sessions to provide community members with information on immigration laws and policies.
- Support efforts for program clients to participate in organizing, advocacy and leadership development efforts.
- Provide trainings to service organizations, government agencies, schools and other groups on immigration law and policy.
- Support programmatic efforts to engage in narrative change through media work.
- Assist with occasional screenings, pro se clinics, and other special initiatives to further support immigrant community members.
- Participate in AFSC staff meetings and case reviews.
- Assist in the documentation of the project's experiences and in the preparation of quarterly funding reports.
- Attend immigration law training sessions and conferences.
Minimum Qualifications
Admission to a state bar required; with preference to individuals admitted to practice in New Jersey.
Required Skills and Abilities :
Compensation : Salary Range 15 (starting at $65, 000, commensurate with experience, - $76,356) - Exempt - Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, accident and salary continuation insurances, defined benefit pension plan, plus fringe benefits; participation in unemployment and worker's compensation and social security.
The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity , sexual orientation or disability.
AFSC's Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is represented under the Northeast Region's Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.
Salary : $76,356
