Cross Border Caseworker

IRC Background

The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian agencies, provides relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict reconstruction support to victims of natural disaster, oppression and violent conflict in 42 countries. The IRC is committed to bold leadership, innovation and creative partnerships. Active in public health, education, livelihoods, women's empowerment, youth development, and protection and promotion of rights, IRC assists people from harm to home.

In March 2020, as the global COVID-19 pandemic spread rapidly, the previous US administration issued an unprecedented policy that effectively stopped all asylum seekers from accessing the US to request protection. The new rule, commonly referred to as “Title 42,” has been denounced by the United Nations Refugee Agency, the IRC, and many other groups that advocate for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers as a violation of international law and refugee rights. The Title 42 policy remains in place and between November 2020 and April 2021, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) executed over 500,000 expulsions at the US southern border under the authority of Title 42.

The US Administration is allowing a very limited number of individuals to enter the United States and not be subject to expulsion under a “humanitarian exemption” to Title 42. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has asked the IRC to identify vulnerable individuals in the northern Mexico who may meet the humanitarian exemption and refer those individuals to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the agency within DHS that oversees border security and inspections at select US ports of entry along the Mexico-US border. This short-term effort will identify and refer vulnerable individuals to be considered by CBP for the Title 42 humanitarian exemption.

Job Overview/Summary

The primary role of the Cross-Border Caseworker is to provide short-term referrals and coordination services for individuals in northern Mexico who have been identified as potentially eligible for the humanitarian exception to Title 42. This position assists with administrative tasks including case file management and data collection.

Major Responsibilities

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Complete intakes for all clients, comply with case review requirements, and work with the Senior Cross Border Caseworker to submit referrals on behalf of all approved clients

• Coordinate COVID testing on behalf of clients; inform clients who test positive of appropriate protocols

• Coordinate accompaniment and transportation for clients to present at the US port of entry

• Provide referrals in Mexico for clients who are not referred for the humanitarian exception, and referrals for US-based services for clients who benefit from the humanitarian exception

• Follow up with clients upon entry into the United States where possible

• Complete data entry requirements and case notes in a thorough and timely fashion

• Participate in all program meetings and fully engage as a member of the team

• Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency

• Other related duties as assigned

Key Working Relationships

Position reports to: Senior Cross Border Caseworker

Other Internal and/or external contacts: The Cross Border Caseworker works closely with the Cross Border Coordinator and other IRC Mexico staff; will maintain relationships with a range of local service providers partners engaged in referring individuals for Title 42 exceptions.