Immigration Legal Assistant

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 in order 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 the Immigration Legal Services (ILS) program manager 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. 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:

• Under the supervision of ILS program manager, provide clients information on immigration benefits before USCIS, work with clients to gather documents, intake appointments and assist clients to complete applications.

• 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.

• First point of contact to respond to inquiries from clients regarding setting intake appointments, 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.

• Maintain strict client confidentiality and observe all other ethical practices/obligations as outlined in IRC’s Immigration Program Policies Manual.

• Pursue Department of Justice accreditation by successfully completing all vital training.

• Manage intern and volunteer support as needed.