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Immigration Legal Officer

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading non-sectarian non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. IRC staff and volunteers provide shelter, medical and public health assistance, education, training and income-generating programs for refugees in nearly 30 countries. We also help refugees resettle in the United States. IRC’s resettlement offices across the country ensure that new arrivals have food, shelter and clothing, working with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency through education, job training and placement, immigration legal services, and community participation.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Immigration Unit provides technical support and oversight to immigration legal services programs in IRC’s 22 US Programs Regional Resettlement Offices’ (RROs)and conducts advocacy on matters related to the resettlement of refugees, asylees, and other vulnerable populations in the United States. The Immigration Legal Officer will lead the Pathways to Citizenship Project, a new citizenship initiative at the IRC that will increase the amount of citizenship applications submitted by the RROs. Pathways will establish naturalization as a core service of the IRC, and prioritize citizenship among refugees as part of national working group. The Immigration Legal Officer will lead this project as well as be in charge of providing the administrative, technical and logistical support needed for the Immigration Unit.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  • Provide technical assistance to RROs in naturalization application preparation, including medical disability waivers and USCIS fee waivers;
  • Lead the Pathways project as well as assist the Immigration Unit in managing IRC RROs immigration legal service and citizenship preparation programs;
  • Support RROs in launching of naturalization information session, workshops, and design of appropriate materials;
  • Conduct formal program evaluations in the form of site visits;
  • Train BIA accredited immigration specialists in naturalization law;
  • Mentor BIA accredited immigration specialists on immigration law, policies, and procedures;
  • Manage database of legal inquiries from the field and ensure timely response
  • Draft immigration legal updates and alerts to RROs as needed;
  • Liaise with federal, state and local government agencies; NGOs; and other IRC departments and partners as needed;
  • 30% domestic travel required;
  • Special projects and other duties as needed.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • BA, JD, and Bar Admission required
  • Must have knowledge of US immigration law, policies, and procedures, specifically naturalization law
  • 2+ years experience with immigration petitions and applications, specifically asylum and/or refugee-related (i.e. adjustment of status, naturalization, I-730s, I-130s)
  • Experience conducting outreach, public education campaigns
  • Experience organizing legal fairs, immigration workshops, and other immigration information sessions
  • Experience working with vulnerable populations including refugees and asylees
  • Strong analytical and organizational skills; detail-oriented; ability to plan/manage multiple tasks
  • Demonstrated expertise with legal research, including LEXIS-NEXIS, and excellent writing skills
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; flexible work-attitude
  • Ability to take initiative and work independently with minimal guidance, and be a team-player
  • Fluency in oral and written English
  • Ability to travel domestically required
  • Proficient in Microsoft applications and Internet research

PLEASE INCLUDE:

  • A cover letter and an unedited writing sample along with your resume when you apply.


Immigration Legal Officer