Immigration Legal Assistant
Catholic Charities of San Francisco
- San Francisco, CA San Mateo, CA
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Under the supervision of a Supervising Attorney or DOJ Representative, provides a variety of legal services to clients.
- With said supervision prepares checklists for clients and other supportive materials required for the provision of legal services.
- Prepares immigration forms, to be submitted to USCIS, EOIR or State Court, and assembles application packages for final review and signature by Supervising Attorney or DOJ Representative.
- Interfaces with clients to complete orientations to the legal process, translation of documents, document collection and review.
- Data entry and record keeping in standardized legal service software.
- Additional Responsibilities for legal assistants on Removal Defense Team:
- Conducts supportive research for asylum or cancellation cases (i.e. country conditions research).
- Prepares detailed declarations in support of asylum claims, applications for cancellation of removal or other remedies to be presented in Immigration Court.
- Additional Responsibilities for legal assistants on Affirmative Team:
- Prepares detailed declarations in support of waiver applications, U visas, VAWA applications;
- Interfaces with National Visa Center and/or American Consulates abroad in preparing applications for consular processing
- Additional Responsibilities for legal assistants on SIJS Team:
- Researches local rules when necessary in preparing State Court guardianship petition to ensure that all local (county) requirements are met in the submission of guardianship petition.
- Prepares detailed declarations when requested in support of guardianship application.
- Interfaces with both Unaccompanied Minor and their guardian
- Submits petition or application, accordingly, to USCIS, EOIR, State Court, National Visa, or Consulates abroad, via U.S. Postal Service or other carriers, or digitally via email or electronic filing, to the Executive office of Immigration Review (Immigration Court).
- Maintains proper client files and documentary evidence required to proof eligibility for legal benefits and equities under INA.
- Prepares thorough and detailed notes in case management system regarding interactions and conversations with clients, status of case, documents required and all other information vital for review and audit of file.
- Maintains spreadsheet of all active cases and review list either weekly or biweekly with supervising attorney or DOJ Representative.
- Compiles reports as requested.
- Provides accurate information/referrals to clients with other needs that could be met by our Agency or by other community organizations. Participates in community events (some of them on weekends) performing different tasks including but not limited to: registration, intake, interpretation, and form filling.
- Attends regular mandatory staff meetings.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
- Bachelor’s Degree.
- Experience directly related to the job qualifications will be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Direct experience providing legal immigration services and working knowledge of immigration law, policies and procedures required.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) required.
- Cultural sensitivity.
- Excellent translation and interpretation skills.
- Excellent writing skills
- Capacity to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
- Extensive knowledge using LawLogix or any other Immigration or Case Management Software.
- Excellent listening, communication, facilitation and influencing skills.
- Demonstrated planning, presentation and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated ability to compile reports in an organized, completed manner.
- Ability to self-start on projects and to be proactive in anticipating needs of the project.
- Interest in obtaining accreditation with the Board of Immigration Appeals to become a DOJ Representative, a PLUS.
- Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in cross-cultural situations.
- Intermittent bending, standing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, twisting, and walking.
- Intermittent lifting, pushing, and pulling.
- Intermittent repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
- Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.
- The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and extensive reading.
- Driving is required for this position.
- Will be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.
- Noise level in the 36 37th Avenue offices (where this position will be housed) in San Mateo is usually minimal; however, the Immigration Program is a work environment that consists of a 8:30am-5:00pm office environment, with weekly workshops, scheduled client appointments in person and over the phone consultations, information and referral, and intake. The Noise level in the Mission office is greater as the office is located on Mission Street near the 24th Street BART station.
This is a full-time position
Union status: Non-union
Fingerprinting clearance: Required
TB Screening: Not required
First Aid Certificate: No First Aid required
COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination:
Pay Range: $23.05