Paralegal, Immigration Practice

Brooklyn Defender Services•New York, NY

38d•$63,113 - $69,863•Onsite

About The Position

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking a Paralegal to join the detained removal defense team in our Immigration Practice. BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. For nearly 30 years, BDS has worked, in and out of court, to protect and uphold the rights of individuals and to change laws and systems that perpetuate injustice and inequality. Our legal expertise work with clients is focused on the intersections of these legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities living in poverty. BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs. In addition to a zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers and advocates provide a wide range of legal and advocacy services, including housing, public benefits, education, and employment. BDS staff work collaboratively and across disciplines to deliver high-quality legal services that serve the people we represent, their families and communities. BDS’s Immigration Practice is a collaborative team working to help noncitizen clients maintain family unity and obtain lawful immigration status in the United States. Under the direct supervision of the Paralegal Supervisor, Immigration Paralegals provide support to attorneys and clients in removal proceedings before the Immigration Courts and on applications before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Requirements

Advanced or bilingual proficiency in Spanish.
Excellent organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with a team.
Ability to take direction and feedback and adjust workload with agility.
Excellent time management and task triage skills.
High proficiency in Adobe Pro and Microsoft 365 Suite programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.).

Nice To Haves

Paralegal certificate and/or Bachelor’s Degree and/or prior paralegal experience in the immigration field.
Notary Public or willing to become one.

Responsibilities

Collect necessary records and documents from clients, hospitals, courts, and other entities.
Complete immigration application forms with a high level of factual accuracy and attention to detail.
Copy, scan, and otherwise assist in the preparation of application packages for bond, relief from removal, and immigration benefits.
Under attorney supervision, interview clients and witnesses to prepare draft affidavits and letters of support.
Under attorney supervision, conduct country conditions and factual research.
Deliver filings to New York City immigration courts.
Maintain accurate digital and paper files according to office protocol.
Timely and accurately enter information into case management system.
Complete other tasks as assigned.