Paralegal- Know Your Rights/Direct Representation, Detained Adults Program

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights•Washington, DC

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights fights for the rights, safety, and unity of immigrant communities, standing with those trapped in our nation’s fundamentally flawed immigration system. We engage in unwavering legal defense and strategic litigation for immigrant children and adults facing detention and deportation in the Capital Region and beyond, because everyone has the right to be free, safe, and supported. The Detained Adult Program (DAP) works with hundreds of adults who are detained by ICE each year, providing information, support, and legal representation. We provide trauma-sensitive, person-centered services, and deeply value the autonomy of the people we work with in detention as they navigate the fundamentally inhumane immigration system. Amica Center’s Detained Adult Program is a highly collaborative work environment. Each team lead works directly with a focused team, but all colleagues are interconnected through, for example, case workshops or staff-run committees. DAP staff is a source of expertise in the highly complex and ever-changing immigration system. They have persisted through administration changes, policy shifts, and attacks on the rights and freedoms of immigrants through project-focused cohorts that arise to address challenges or to brainstorm and implement affirmative strategies.

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.
Availability to work occasional weekend/evening hours to accommodate client needs within expected 35-40 hour workweek or during authorized overtime hours;
The employee understands legal concepts at a level to allow for meaningful contribution to client intake, follow-up, and casework with moderate supervision.
The employee is working towards self-sufficiency in client-facing legal activities and will demonstrate increasing understanding of how to prepare legal filings.
Effectively communicate legal and procedural concepts to clients with empathy and appropriately prioritize tasks and resources.
The employee adequately presents legal and procedural concepts to detained individuals and clients with moderate supervision, including working with clients and their families/support community throughout a case.
The employee will develop trauma-informed interviewing and rapport building skills.
The employee coordinates with outside entities on referral systems efficiently and effectively.
The employee adequately prioritizes time and resources.
The employee ensures that all administrative aspects of their position, attendant to the provision of services to clients and program reporting, are carried out without managerial intervention, including intake logging and case tracking, file upkeep, database upkeep, etc.

Nice To Haves

Preference for applicants with proficiency in Office 365 and LegalServer.

Responsibilities

Conducts detention facility visits in Virginia (normally 1 overnight visit per month, for 2 full days), for the provision of know your rights presentations and group workshops.
Participates in preparation for and development of materials for detention facility visits including the creation of and training on providing know your rights information and developing pro se materials by keeping up with key legal updates
Conducts administrative tasks to facilitate communication with clients at the detention facilities and interfaces with facility staff
Completes intakes with people in Virginia detention facilities eligible for legal services
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 cases such as Asylum, Withholding of Removal, Protection under the Convention against Torture, Board of Immigration Appeals, 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.
Serves as a backup to the intaking team, performing approximately 1-2 direct rep intakes per month
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, carries out administrative tasks in timely manner.
Assists other program staff in completion of their workload during high-work/low-bandwidth periods.
Takes part in stakeholder relationship activities, including in-person and remote meetings with community groups, governmental bodies and representatives, and other legal service providers