Paralegal- Intake-Focused, Detained Adult Program

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (Amica Center)•Washington, DC

just now•$47,500 - $70,000•Hybrid

About The Position

An intaking paralegal supporting direct representation work in the Detained Adult Program focuses on (i) organizing and conducting intakes with individuals in detention and tracking their cases through placement, providing basic pro se resources where placement with an attorney is not possible; (ii) liaising with other legal service providers, offices of the public defender, community groups, government officials, and detention centers to ensure eligible residents can connect to our services; (iii) working with detained people and their attorneys throughout the course of removal proceedings, including assisting with paperwork and case preparation; and (iv) supporting the program’s provision of services as a whole, including through administrative tasks such as database maintenance and reporting to funders.

Requirements

Written and oral Spanish proficiency required.
It is expected that the candidate will need to travel for work-related business. As a result, the candidate must possess a valid driver's license and be comfortable operating a vehicle upon hiring. This role requires travel, but qualified individuals with disabilities may be accommodated in a reasonable manner under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Nice To Haves

Strong candidates will have experience working in the immigrant community, particularly in immigration law, and/or experience working with people in detention.

Responsibilities

Completes intakes with people in detention and coordinates with other legal staff to ensure coverage of the same.
Regularly communicates and collaborates with other legal service providers, community groups, government officials, and detention center staff to receive referrals of individuals eligible for services and maintain referral and legal access systems.
Input information to track new potential cases and update direct representation pipelines.
Provides follow up after intakes to evaluate eligibility for relief from removal, including legal research, securing criminal records and other coordination with public defenders, and obtaining additional information from family and other community members, and to provide basic pro se resources where placement for legal representation is not possible.
Supports attorneys representing detained and released clients before immigration courts in Virginia, Maryland and remote locations (virtually), USCIS, ICE and local state courts. This includes representation in the following types of cases: Bond, Asylum, Withholding of Removal, Protection under the Convention Against Torture, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U-Visas, T-Visas, and Cancellation of Removal. Support includes assistance in developing client and witness declarations, coordination, drafting and preparing filings, country conditions research, and input in case strategy.
Conducts detention facility visits in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, for intake and client meetings, and other regions as needed where people are detained.
Assists with translation/interpretation work, group jail visits, and staffing of the detention hotline as needed.
Carries out administrative tasks, including database maintenance and reporting to funders.
Actively engages in Amica Center’s training and advocacy efforts, as needed.
Interfaces with social services staff, in preparation and execution of post release and social services plans.
Ensures the timely inputting and accuracy of data and case information into shared databases.
Assists other program staff in completion of their workload during high-work/low-bandwidth periods.
Engages with internal Amica Center committees and working groups to lend a voice to the growth and strategy of the organization.

Benefits

Free gym access located in Washington, D.C or Baltimore, MD (dependent on employee’s primary office)
Flexible working hours after successful completion of trainings and with approval of supervisor
Pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV
Subsidized health, dental insurance, and vision insurance (Amica Center pays a very high rate of the insurance package, for which we can provide additional information)
Life Insurance valued at $50,000, as well as long- and short-term disability
The option to set up a Flexible Spending Account
High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a one-time employer contribution of $350 to the Health Savings Account (HSA)
The option to set up a 403(b) account (the equivalent of a 401(k) account for non-profits) which the organization has the option, for all employees on an annual basis, to match at a certain percentage after one year of continuous employment
23 personal days per calendar year
Up to 20 days of sick time per calendar year
7 hours of volunteer time off
Federal holidays
Paid winter break closure
12 weeks of parental leave