Immigration Staff Attorney

Legal Services NYC•New York, NY

8d•$88,181 - $137,347•Hybrid

About The Position

Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) is the largest civil legal services provider in the country, dedicated to fighting poverty and seeking racial, social, and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. With over 50 years of experience, LSNYC provides legal services across housing, income, economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and healthcare. The organization employs over 600 people in offices across all five boroughs, assisting hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers annually through direct services and partnerships with community organizations, pro bono lawyers, and the courts. LSNYC is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace and encourages staff to understand and overcome barriers to justice. Brooklyn Legal Services (BLS), a part of LSNYC, is seeking a dynamic Staff Attorney for its Immigrants' Rights & Advocacy Project (IRAP). This role involves providing deportation defense in immigration court, handling affirmative immigration matters with USCIS, and representing clients in family court for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases. The attorney will work closely with a staff social worker to provide trauma-informed representation and holistic advocacy. The position offers an opportunity to engage in substantive immigration law work with a diverse client population in an underserved community. The attorney will be supervised by the Director of IRAP and will work a hybrid remote and in-office schedule.

Requirements

Admitted to the New York State Bar.
Demonstrated passion for social justice and a commitment to working with low-income communities, immigrant communities, and communities of color to advance equity.
At least 2-3 years of immigration law direct services experience.
Experience representing clients before EOIR, including motions practice and merits hearings.
Experience with BIA appeals required.
Experience working with clients who have experienced trauma and other vulnerable populations (particularly domestic violence survivors, LGBTQ+ communities, and youth) required.
Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage a diverse, fast-paced, and high-volume caseload.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Collaborative orientation, ability to work in a team, and solutions-oriented approach.

Nice To Haves

Strong cultural or personal ties to the communities we serve.
Fluency in Spanish, including the ability to communicate in Spanish with clients about legal matters and correspond in writing with clients in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Provide deportation defense in immigration court before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), including merits hearings, motions practice, and appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
Handle affirmative immigration matters with USCIS, including asylum applications, family-based petitions, naturalization, VAWA self-petitions, and petitions for U or T nonimmigrant status.
Represent clients in family court proceedings related to Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) cases.
Work closely with staff social worker to provide trauma-informed representation and holistic advocacy.
File and litigate habeas petitions alongside LSNYC’s litigation directors.
Conduct intake, community education, and community outreach.
Collaborate with other LSNYC attorneys and advocates on cross-unit and cross-borough projects.
Partner with community-based organizations on campaigns and projects.
Mentor and collaborate with pro bono partners.
Perform administrative tasks, including timekeeping, uploading documents, data reporting, and case closing for compliance.