Temporary Paralegal

NYLAG•New York, NY

8d•$71,177 - $77,743•Hybrid

About The Position

NYLAG seeks a highly motivated, full-time, temporary paralegal to support affirmative and defensive teams within the Immigrant Protection Unit. Under the supervision of a Supervising Attorney and/or a Supervising Paralegal, the paralegal serves as the primary interpreter for attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives at USCIS field offices, asylum offices, court hearings, and detention centers. The role also supports client intake and eligibility screening, case preparation and filing, data collection, referrals, and clinics and workshops. The position is temporary through June 30, 2026. NYLAG is a civil legal services organization that provides free legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships to people experiencing poverty or crisis. It works to address economic, racial, and social injustice and provides services at community sites and through its Mobile Legal Help Center. The position requires fluency in Spanish, including legal and other complex terms, or another community language. A bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required. Recent immigration experience is strongly preferred. NYLAG is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences in the communities it serves. NYLAG requires employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 unless an approved medical or religious exemption applies. NYLAG’s current hybrid policy requires most staff to work in its offices or perform other in-person work at least two days each week, subject to change.

Requirements

Fluency in Spanish, including legal and other complex terms, or another community language.
Ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, manage multiple tasks, and creatively problem solve.
Experience working with immigrant communities of color, including LGBTQIA+ people, youth, survivors of violence, and other marginalized communities.
Excellent written, oral, and analytical skills.
Excellent time and project management skills.
Commitment to social justice and anti-racism.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required.
At least 1–3 years of recent immigration experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide document translation and verbal interpretation for unit attorneys and case handlers, including preparation for and interpretation at asylum and USCIS interviews, psychological evaluations, and immigration court hearings, under supervision and guidance.
Pre-screen clients for basic eligibility requirements, track contacts, and collect documents.
Screen clients for eligibility for immigration relief.
Serve as a primary case handler by helping clients obtain documents needed to apply for relief, completing appropriate forms for submission to USCIS and other agencies, and following up with clients by phone, mail, and email.
Assist with preparation for pro bono, community, and internal clinics, including screening, scheduling appointments, and confirming attendance.
Manage data entry in internal and external data management systems.
Provide internal referrals for financial counseling and other wraparound services, and external referrals to partner organizations.
Perform other job duties as required.