Immigration Legal Assistant

International Rescue Committee•Salt Lake City, UT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian organization founded in 1933, dedicated to helping people affected by conflict and disaster. Operating in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities, the IRC works to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to those in need. The IRC's immigration legal services program annually serves more than 14,000 individuals across 23 U.S. sites, providing crucial legal representation and advice to immigrants and their families. This support aims to help clients achieve the highest possible immigration status, maintain family unity, access their full rights, and successfully integrate into the U.S. This Immigration Legal Assistant position specifically supports legal practitioners (attorneys and/or Department of Justice accredited representatives) in representing clients before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The primary focus of these legal services includes adjustment of status, naturalization, and family reunification. The role involves providing clients with information, assisting with document gathering and application completion, responding to case status inquiries, processing correspondence from USCIS and DOS, maintaining accurate case files and data, and representing the IRC through client interactions, community outreach, and event support.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or relevant work experience
Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment and with Limited English Proficient populations.
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.
Demonstrated dedication to immigrant rights, social justice, and/or human rights based on work experience, volunteer service, or educational activities.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in another language strongly preferred.
Previous experience with immigration legal or social services is strongly preferred.
Familiarity with immigration software and experience with data entry and management are a plus.
Community-based outreach and/or work promoting immigrant rights experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of a licensed or accredited legal practitioner, provide clients with information about immigration benefits available through 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/or 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.
Depending on the needs of the program and budget availability, and upon review of the Legal Services Technical Unit, legal supervisor, and Executive Director, may pursue Department of Justice accreditation by successfully completing all vital training.

Benefits

10 sick days
10 US holidays
20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure
Medical insurance starting at $163 per month
Dental starting at $6.50 per month
Vision starting at $5 per month
FSA for healthcare and commuter costs
A 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching
Disability & life insurance
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.