Immigration Legal Assistant
Company: International Rescue Committee
Location: Atlanta
Posted on: September 25, 2024
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Job Description:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's
worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety,
education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by
conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert
Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international
humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more
than 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to
survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their
communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting
impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're
a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in
positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for
a better future.
A part of RAI, IRC's immigration legal services program serves more
than 14,000 individuals in 23 sites throughout the U.S. each year,
providing accessible and critical legal representation and advice
to immigrants and their families to acquire the highest level of
immigration status available, keep families together, access their
full rights, and successfully integrate in the U.S. The position
supports legal practitioners (attorneys and/or Department of
Justice (DOJ) accredited representatives) in representing clients
before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
and conducting community-based naturalization workshops. Legal
services focus on naturalization, adjustment of status, and family
reunification. The legal assistant will also coordinate the
completion and submission of family reunification applications
managed on behalf of the Processing Department at IRC Headquarters.
The legal assistant will identify current clients eligible to file
such applications and conduct community outreach to advertise the
programs. The legal assistant will work with clients to prepare and
submit applications to Headquarters. The legal assistant provides
case status updates and transmits information to clients regarding
their pending applications with the Headquarters and the U.S.
Department of State. It is encouraged that staff hired in this role
will work towards DOJ accreditation with support from IRC's
Immigration Technical Unit based at IRC Headquarters.Major
Responsibilities:Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:*
Under the supervision of a licensed or accredited legal
practitioner, provide clients information on immigration benefits
before USCIS, work with clients to gather documents, and assist
clients to complete applications.* Respond to inquiries from
clients regarding case status and submit inquiries on case status
to USCIS and Department of State (DOS).* Process correspondence
from USCIS and DOS, including notifying clients, assisting clients
to prepare responses to notices or evidence requests as
appropriate, and following up with relevant parties.* Maintain
accurate and up-to-date physical and electronic files and detailed
case notes, enter required data in a timely manner, meet all case
reporting requirements within established timelines and standards,
and assist in the completion of statistical, narrative, and
financial reports.* Represent the IRC with clients, community
members, and partners by receiving and returning phone calls and
emails, scheduling appointments, supporting events (including group
processing events), and conducting outreach for legal services.*
Maintain strict client confidentiality and observe all other
ethical practices/obligations as outlined in IRC's Immigration
Program Policies Manual.* Participate in training webinars hosted
by IRC headquarters on family reunification programs of focus,
including Lautenberg applications and/or P3 AORs and/or P2 CAM
AORs.* Communicate program eligibility and requirements to clients;
collect documentation from clients to complete applications on
their behalf.* Complete applications in the IRIS database; monitor
database for updates and corrections needed; communicate with IRC
headquarters staff on any questions or corrections needed.* Track
applications to respond to client inquiries after submission.*
Pursue Department of Justice accreditation by successfully
completing all vital training.* Manage intern and volunteer support
as needed.* Other duties as assigned.Job Requirements:Education:
Bachelor's degree in relevant field.Work Experience:* Demonstrated
success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural
environment and with Limited English Proficient populations.*
Previous experience with immigration legal or social services is
strongly preferred.* Community-based outreach and/or work promoting
immigrant rights experience is preferred.Demonstrated Skills &
Competencies:* Familiarity with immigration software and experience
with data entry and management are a plus.* Demonstrated dedication
to immigrant rights, social justice, and/or human rights based on
work experience, volunteer service, or educational activities.*
Able to work effectively in a team environment, as well as take
independent initiative* Excellent attention to detail and strong
organizational skills* Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
(Word, Excel, Outlook) and comfortable utilizing online software
and programs.* Excellent communication skills with proficiency in
written and spoken English is required.* Proficiency or fluency in
Fluent in English, both spoken and written; proficiency in
language(s) spoken by client group is desired (such as, but not
limited to: Spanish, Amharic, Dari, Pashto, Arabic, French,
Haitian-Creole).Working Environment:* Standard office environment
with occasional opportunities to participate in community outreach
and legal assistance events.* May require occasional weekend and/or
evening work.
Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates.
Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job
type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by
work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative
to the defined job requirement.
US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of
benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays,
20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical
insurance starting at $120 per month, dental starting at $7 per
month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and
commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5%
immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC
contribution (3 year vesting), disability & life insurance, and an
Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and
their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis
and mental health struggles.
Minimum Qualifications:Update
Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must
adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - our
Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and
Equality.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC
is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe
work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity
and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate
discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC
persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation
of women, people that are from country and communities we serve,
and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are
under-represented in global power structures.
Keywords: International Rescue Committee, Smyrna , Immigration Legal Assistant, Legal , Atlanta, Georgia
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