Immigration Paralegal

Proximate Consult•Greenbelt, MD

About The Position

This role involves assisting attorneys in various aspects of immigration law cases. Key responsibilities include client communication, drafting legal applications, and liaising with federal agencies like USCIS and the Department of State. The position requires meticulous record-keeping, updating case management systems, and ensuring client confidentiality. The Immigration Paralegal will also be involved in outreach, supporting events, and potentially managing interns and volunteers. A commitment to pursuing Department of Justice accreditation and maintaining knowledge of relevant laws and ethical practices is essential.

Requirements

Proficiency in client communication.
Experience in drafting applications for relief.
Familiarity with USCIS and Department of State procedures.
Ability to update and manage an immigration case management system.
Skills in assisting clients with responses to notices or Requests for Evidence.
Ability to respond to client inquiries regarding case status.
Experience in escalating cases or seeking Congressional assistance.
Ability to make referrals to service providers and community partners.
Strong file management and note-taking skills.
Timely data entry and reporting.
Ability to meet reporting requirements within established timelines and standards.
Experience in administrative tasks, data collection, and reporting.
Ability to represent the organization with clients, community members, and partners.
Experience in scheduling appointments and supporting events.
Experience in conducting outreach for legal services.
Commitment to pursuing Department of Justice accreditation.
Successful completion of Comprehensive Overview of Immigration Law (COIL) and other required training.
Basic knowledge of relevant laws, policies, and trends in immigration law.
Strict adherence to client confidentiality and ethical practices.
Ability to perform other responsibilities as assigned by supervisors.
Experience in managing interns and volunteers, as needed.

Responsibilities

Assist attorneys in client communication, drafting applications for relief, and following up with federal agencies including USCIS and the Department of State (DOS) regarding case status.
Process correspondence from USCIS and DOS, including updating the immigration case management system, notifying clients, assisting clients in preparing responses to notices or Requests for Evidence, as appropriate, and following up with relevant parties.
Respond to inquiries from clients regarding the status of cases pending with USCIS and DOS.
Coordinate with attorney and client to help escalate cases to the CIS Ombudsman or seek Congressional case assistance.
Make appropriate referrals to other service providers and relevant community partners.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date 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.
Perform other administrative, data-collection tasks, and reporting duties as assigned.
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.
Pursue Department of Justice accreditation by successfully completing the Comprehensive Overview of Immigration Law (COIL) and all other required training.
Maintain a basic knowledge of relevant laws, policies, and trends in law affecting the target population.
Maintain strict client confidentiality and observe all other ethical practices/obligations as outlined in the Global Refuge's Practice Manual.
Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Staff Attorney, Managing Attorney, and Director for Legal Affairs.
Assist in the management of interns and volunteers, as needed.