Immigration Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

AGENCY BACKGROUND:

Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC) is a community-based, not-for-profit organization founded in 1979 that has grown into a leading multi-service agency with over 100 staff serving New York City with a focus on upper Manhattan and the Bronx. Our mission is to serve as a catalyst for positive change in the lives of the people in our community on their paths to secure and prosperous futures. Integration is the cornerstone of NMIC’s programs, and our staff can identify and address a broad array of immediate needs through comprehensive crisis intervention services. With their crises resolved, clients move seamlessly to capacity building services through our holistic programs designed to transition individuals and families to self-sufficiency.

• Our Legal Services, Social Services, and Weatherization programs meet community members’ basic needs including housing, income, nutrition and health.

• Our Community Organizing program empowers groups of residents to collectively secure longer term and larger scale improvements to their own basic needs.

• Our Education & Career Services program imparts individual community members with the practical tools necessary to build secure and prosperous futures.

Job Title: Immigration Attorney

Department: Legal, Organizing & Advocacy

Unit: Immigration & DV Services

Reports to: Assistant Director for Immigration & DV Services

Location: Main Office: 45 Wadsworth Avenue, New York, NY 10033

FLSA Status: Exempt

Model: Hybrid, averaging 3 days per week in person

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation is seeking an experienced immigration attorney. This position is part of NMIC’s Immigration team led by the Assistant Director for Immigration & DV Services and staffed by two junior attorneys and six paralegals who carry their own caseloads. The Immigration Unit currently provides legal representation and advocacy in a comprehensive array of immigration matters, including: VAWA self-petitions, U-visa petitions, Battered Spouse Waivers, Adjustment of Status, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Naturalization, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). The Immigration Attorney will also provide representation before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Client Representation

• Provide legal representation and advocacy to primarily Spanish speaking communities in their immigration matters while working collaboratively with other NMIC programs to offer comprehensive client services.

• Provide direct representation to clients before USCIS in all applications for relief, including, but not limited to U visas, VAWA, Battered Spouse Waivers and SIJS.

• Provide direct representation to clients before USCIS interviews where appropriate.

• Provide direct representation and support on a limited docket of removal cases and appearances at ICE check-in appointments.

Additional Duties

• Communicate regularly with the Assistant Director for Immigrant and DV Services and the Managing Paralegal regarding ongoing casework to ensure a high quality of output and to ensure casework is timely completed.

• Attend regular meetings with Immigration Department Staff to discuss unit updates, training opportunities, case issues, or other relevant information.

• Attend liaison meetings and internal agency meetings.

• Participate in community wide events and presentations.

• Attend professional meetings and educational conferences.

• Maintain awareness of current trends and development in the immigration legal field.

• Support the onboarding and supervision of new staff, volunteers, and interns in collaboration with the Assistant Director for Immigration & DV Services.

• Additional tasks may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• JD and NYS Bar admission

• Minimum of 2 years of immigration legal experience.

• Experience working with similar populations in a community-based setting strongly preferred.

• Proven ability to multi-task and prioritize work.

• Strong verbal and writing skills in English.

• Bilingual skills in English/Spanish are strongly preferred.

SALARY/BENEFITS:

NMIC offers a competitive salary based on experience and education as well as a comprehensive and generous benefits package: medical, dental, life, and disability insurance are included; paid time off, including 20 vacation days, 15 sick days, 5 personal days, and 12 agency holidays, plus the week off from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day; a 401k with agency contribution; and other benefits.

The salary range for this position is­­­­­­­­­­­­ $90,000 - $96,000

NMIC IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

NMIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively encourages candidates of diverse backgrounds to apply for employment. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements in terms of qualifications.? An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered unless specifically stated otherwise.